Wonder Watchlist

January is always a hectic month, one that feels like it lasts double the time it should. This year is no different, but thankfully movies were there to distract me from what I argue has been the longest month of my life in a long time. Some new and old titles were checked off my watchlist, starting this year off with a bang. What is somewhat of a slow month for theatrical releases, I made sure to move a few movies from my “to watch” pile to the display shelf. I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief as January closes and embrace February with a new slate of films.

No list is complete without a few runner ups: American Ultra, Conan The Destroyer, and The Damned.

Wolf Man (2025) – Dir. Leigh Whannell

This month started out strong for me as Wolf Man was a film that was pretty high up on my list to check out this year. There’s a lot I enjoy from this rendition of Wolf Man, mostly coming from the human moments between stay-at-home dad Blake Lovell (Christopher Abbott) and his successful lawyer wife Charlotte Lovell (Julia Garner) and their daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth). Touching on darker themes of generational abuse and breaking its cycle. The film leaves some bits loose and has uneven pacing that left me somewhat disappointed.

Whannell’s strengths with the human moments are paired with strong visuals that show the monster from a unique perspective. The painstaking transformation from man to monster is gnarly, moments I had to look away from, but thanks to the sound design, I knew exactly what was going on. Whannell makes sure to show us what Wolf Man sees and hears, allowing us to feel like we are trapped, unable to understand those we love most.

How I watched: Theater press screening

Rating: 3.5/5

A Cure For Wellness (2017) – Dir. Gore Verbinksi

I’m so glad I picked this up at a local second-hand store a few months back, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite sci-fi horror blends I’ve seen in a long time. What I’d describe as an Alfred Hitchcock thriller in the beginning quickly delves into something much darker. A young man eager to continue his success at his high-rise job, Lockhart (Dane DeHaan), is tasked to go to the isolated Swiss Alps to retrieve the CEO of his employer. Tucked away in a wellness center known for miracle treatments, what is supposed to be a short trip is quickly extended.

Gore Verbinski mixes genres wonderfully in A Cure For Wellness, letting each have their time to shine, but not overstaying their welcome. What stuck out to me the most were the visuals of the film, capturing the isolation perfectly with the chilling atmosphere of the Alps. Showing the journey Lockhart had to go on to get there also helped capture how out of nowhere this center is. Definitely adding this to my yearly rewatch during spooky season.

How I watched: Home physical media, Blu-Ray.

Rating: 4/5

Evil Does Not Exist (2024) – Dir. Ryusuke Hamaguchi

In a perfect world evil does not exist, but the world is flawed and evil seeps its way into even the most noble of us. This film was the top of many of my friends lists of best films from last year, and when I found it at a second hand store I blindly bought it.. and I’m so glad I did. Hamaguchi takes us to an ideallyc Japanese village where each of its residence work together to build their community. But their village meets the gaze of businessman who is looking to build a new business that would cause havoc on their local businesses.

The film is a slow burn that often leaves the camera lingering on moments of the community working closely together to maintain their land and care for their resources. Respecting their surroundings is key to the villagers’ livelihoods, animals wandering in the forests to the streams that fuel their entire lives. But everyone has their breaking point, and tensions rise when the villagers feel threatened by those impeding on their lands.

Where I watched: Home physical media, 4k Blu-Ray

Rating: 4.5/5

I’m Still Here (2024) – Dir. Walter Salles

There’s no film from last year that is more poignant than Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here. A family’s most intimate moments of joy and love mask the pain of oppression in 1970s Brazil. A reminder that life can change at any moment and the importance of maintaining memories of those most important to us. Salles tells the powerful story of the Paiva family and their enduring strength to continue to fight against those in power for the truth.

Lead by a powerhouse performance from Fernanda Torres, she perfectly captures a mother and wife seeking answers for the disappearance of her husband. She gives an important perspective with her portrayal of Eunice Paiva, shedding light on the dictatorial government of the time. Torres has a duality to her in the film where she must maintain a cheerful and warm presence for her younger children, but a hardened stability to fight for her husband.

Where I Watched: Home screening link

Rating: 5/5

Possessor (2020) – Dir. Brandon Cronenberg

This has been one I’ve wanted to check for a long time, even after being underwhelmed by Infinity Pool, I was excited to see this one on the shelf at my favorite store Grave Danger. Another Christopher Abbott film tops, and bottoms this list, and Possessor have been on my mind since I watched it. Andrea Risenborough plays Tasya Vos an assassin that controls people by using brain implant technology. She bites off more than she can chew when she takes over Colin Tate (Christopher Abbott) who tries her most strongest of skills.

Cronenberg creates a unique new sci fi film that is small in scale, the film has a small cast and doesn’t take place in many different areas. The camera work in close and intimate, getting the viewer nice and close to those nasty kills Vos implements while she’s in control of her meat puppets. The color red makes many appearances in Possessor, creating jarring visuals that have a lasting impact as the film progresses.

Where I watched: Home physical media, 4k Blu-Ray

Rating: 5/5

My reaction to the 97th Academy Award Nominees: Click here!