Blab Entertainment
2026 Film Review Roundup: From Psychological Horror to Animated Satire
On June 22, 2026 a film critic’s roundup unfurled a landscape as varied as the genres it covered. Twelve feature‑length titles—spanning supernatural horror, high‑octane action, anime‑style sci‑fi, video‑game adaptations, documentaries, animated satire, family mystery, noir drama, political satire, and a fantasy‑anime feature—were dissected for their cast, crew, reception, and commercial fortunes.
The most prominently discussed film is Obsession (2025), a supernatural horror birthed by 26‑year‑old Curry Barker, who both wrote and directed the story. The plot follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a music‑store clerk who uses a wish‑granting toy to coax love from his co‑worker Nikki (Inde Navarrette). Filmed in Los Angeles in October 2024 on a $750,000 budget, the picture premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025. Focus Features secured distribution rights for $14–$15 million, the steepest bid for a genre film at that festival, and Jason Blum joined as executive producer. When it opened in U.S. theaters on May 15, 2026, Obsession raked in $333.3 million worldwide, eclipsing Focus Features’ previous box‑office high.
Next in line is In the Grey (2025), an action‑thriller helmed by Guy Ritchie. Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza González star as a team of mercenaries led by attorney Rachel Wild (González) who force a global drug kingpin, Manny Salazar (Carlos Bardem), to repay a $1 billion debt. Critics noted that the film spends a sizable portion of its runtime on planning rather than execution, giving the narrative a lumpy feel.
The anime‑style sequel Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (2025) follows Hathaway Noa (Kenshô Ono) as she heads an anti‑Earth Federation group. Directed by Brett Calo and Shûkô Murase, the film blends science‑fiction action with political commentary. Reviewers, however, pointed out that some action sequences are visually under‑developed, leaving the spectacle uneven.
Mortal Kombat II (2025) translates the video‑game franchise to the screen. Simon McQuoid’s direction features Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, and Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn. The tone is campy and comedic, foregrounding the characters’ personal motivations. Critics described the film as entertaining but less serious than earlier Mortal Kombat adaptations.
In documentary form, The Story of Everything (2025) is directed by Eric Esau and examines theories of intelligent design. While it presents scientific viewpoints, the film does not delve deeply into religious perspectives, leaving some viewers craving a broader philosophical discussion.
The animated satire Animal Farm (2025) is directed by Andy Serkis and updates George Orwell’s novel with contemporary themes such as corporate greed. Although the core message about power remains intact, reviewers noted that the added modern elements feel redundant.
Family audiences find humor in The Sheep Detectives (2025), a mystery directed by Kyle Balda. The plot centers on shepherd George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) whose murder prompts his sheep to solve the crime. The film is praised for its light‑hearted tone and family‑friendly humor.
Is God Is (2025) is a noir drama from Aleshea Harris. Twin sisters Anaia (Mallori Johnson) and Racine (Kara Young) pursue vengeance for their father’s crimes. The film is noted for its intense violence and complex character dynamics.
In the realm of political satire, The Wizard of the Kremlin (2025) is directed by Olivier Assayas. It follows television executive Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano) and Vladimir Putin (Jude Law) in a loosely inspired storyline based on real Russian politics. Critics found the pacing uneven but praised Law’s performance.
The fantasy‑anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea (2025) is directed by Yasuhito Kikuchi and Austin Sisk. It adapts Fuse’s novels and follows Yura (Saori Oonishi) as she battles underwater foes. Reviewers appreciated the film’s energy but noted that it follows typical anime tropes.
Other titles in the roundup include the drama/comedy The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2025), starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, and a repeated mention of The Story of Everything. Collectively, the reviews highlight a trend toward genre films that blend traditional storytelling with modern themes, underscoring the continued commercial viability of independent horror and animation.
Overall, the June 22 review roundup paints a picture of 2026’s film landscape as richly diverse. The commercial triumph of Obsession and the critical spotlight on In the Grey and Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway suggest that both low‑budget horror and high‑concept sci‑fi continue to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
The most prominently discussed film is Obsession (2025), a supernatural horror birthed by 26‑year‑old Curry Barker, who both wrote and directed the story. The plot follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a music‑store clerk who uses a wish‑granting toy to coax love from his co‑worker Nikki (Inde Navarrette). Filmed in Los Angeles in October 2024 on a $750,000 budget, the picture premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025. Focus Features secured distribution rights for $14–$15 million, the steepest bid for a genre film at that festival, and Jason Blum joined as executive producer. When it opened in U.S. theaters on May 15, 2026, Obsession raked in $333.3 million worldwide, eclipsing Focus Features’ previous box‑office high.
Next in line is In the Grey (2025), an action‑thriller helmed by Guy Ritchie. Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza González star as a team of mercenaries led by attorney Rachel Wild (González) who force a global drug kingpin, Manny Salazar (Carlos Bardem), to repay a $1 billion debt. Critics noted that the film spends a sizable portion of its runtime on planning rather than execution, giving the narrative a lumpy feel.
The anime‑style sequel Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe (2025) follows Hathaway Noa (Kenshô Ono) as she heads an anti‑Earth Federation group. Directed by Brett Calo and Shûkô Murase, the film blends science‑fiction action with political commentary. Reviewers, however, pointed out that some action sequences are visually under‑developed, leaving the spectacle uneven.
Mortal Kombat II (2025) translates the video‑game franchise to the screen. Simon McQuoid’s direction features Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, and Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn. The tone is campy and comedic, foregrounding the characters’ personal motivations. Critics described the film as entertaining but less serious than earlier Mortal Kombat adaptations.
In documentary form, The Story of Everything (2025) is directed by Eric Esau and examines theories of intelligent design. While it presents scientific viewpoints, the film does not delve deeply into religious perspectives, leaving some viewers craving a broader philosophical discussion.
The animated satire Animal Farm (2025) is directed by Andy Serkis and updates George Orwell’s novel with contemporary themes such as corporate greed. Although the core message about power remains intact, reviewers noted that the added modern elements feel redundant.
Family audiences find humor in The Sheep Detectives (2025), a mystery directed by Kyle Balda. The plot centers on shepherd George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) whose murder prompts his sheep to solve the crime. The film is praised for its light‑hearted tone and family‑friendly humor.
Is God Is (2025) is a noir drama from Aleshea Harris. Twin sisters Anaia (Mallori Johnson) and Racine (Kara Young) pursue vengeance for their father’s crimes. The film is noted for its intense violence and complex character dynamics.
In the realm of political satire, The Wizard of the Kremlin (2025) is directed by Olivier Assayas. It follows television executive Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano) and Vladimir Putin (Jude Law) in a loosely inspired storyline based on real Russian politics. Critics found the pacing uneven but praised Law’s performance.
The fantasy‑anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea (2025) is directed by Yasuhito Kikuchi and Austin Sisk. It adapts Fuse’s novels and follows Yura (Saori Oonishi) as she battles underwater foes. Reviewers appreciated the film’s energy but noted that it follows typical anime tropes.
Other titles in the roundup include the drama/comedy The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2025), starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, and a repeated mention of The Story of Everything. Collectively, the reviews highlight a trend toward genre films that blend traditional storytelling with modern themes, underscoring the continued commercial viability of independent horror and animation.
Overall, the June 22 review roundup paints a picture of 2026’s film landscape as richly diverse. The commercial triumph of Obsession and the critical spotlight on In the Grey and Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway suggest that both low‑budget horror and high‑concept sci‑fi continue to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
