Wonder Watchlist

Where does the time go? I feel like I was just typing my favorite list for March, and here we are for April. This last month was pretty wild. Not only did I have my work featured in a print newspaper, but you can also read it here. But I also got engaged, which has been such a wonderful experience. Needless to say, I was only able to get about 14 films watched, but there were a few that completely threw a grenade into my favorite movies of the year. With the summer movie season quickly approaching, I’m looking forward to spending a lot of time in the theater.

A few films that I watched that are still worthy of a shoutout: The Daughters of the Domino, Mabel, Real Life, My Scientology Movie, and Your Attention Please.

V for Vendetta (2005), Dir. James McTeigue

Synopsis: “In a world in which Great Britain has become a fascist state, a masked vigilante known only as “V” conducts guerrilla warfare against the oppressive British government. When V rescues a young woman from the secret police, he finds in her an ally with whom he can continue his fight to free the people of Britain.”

My quick thoughts: It took me forever to watch this, and it’s mostly because I thought it would be cringe. I think growing up, I saw those masks as some kind of internet troll thing that I wanted no part of. But there was a killer sale on 4Ks that I had to take advantage of, and this was part of it. I’m really glad I watched this as an adult rather than a teenager, because the messaging would’ve completely gone over my head. My enemies-to-lovers heart was beating hard. Loved the amount of slo-mo, the deep coloring, and of course the overthrowing of a fascist regime.

How I watched: 4k at home

Erupcja (2025), Dir. Pete Ohs

Synopsis: “While on vacation in Poland, Bethany breaks away from a romantic itinerary planned by her doting boyfriend, Rob, fearing that a marriage proposal is imminent. Reuniting instead with an old friend, Nel, the two women rekindle a uniquely combustible chemistry over the course of a few days in a chaste but burning trust predicated on sapphic synchronicity and a mutual penchant for poetry.”

My quick thoughts: I am 100% here for Charli xcx as an actress, with The Moment and Erupcja both being high on my list for this year (Erupcja released where I live just this year). I found this film really intimate, seeing a side of a woman that she doesn’t want anyone to see. A selfish side, especially unapologetically so. It’s refreshing to see a female character written to pursue control over her life, even when it looks hurtful to those around her. It has a yearning for life, pleasure, and freedom that is all wrapped up into Bethany, whom Charli captures in a carefree and conscious manner. Can’t recommend this one enough.

How I watched: Screener for review

The Drama (2026), Dir. Kristoffer Borgli

Synopsis: “A happily engaged couple is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.”

My quick thoughts: If you put Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in a movie together as a couple, I will be there no matter what. While their romance is a large part of the film, it’s the moments where they are repairing their relationship that were my favorite. No spoilers for those who haven’t seen this one, but it’s refreshing to see a flawed female character not be thrown away by everyone around her. While it’s not perfect in its depiction of gun violence or online cultures targeting the youth, I appreciated how a couple opens up completely to one another. Laying everything out and dealing with whatever comes their way.

How I watched: At the movie theater

Modern Whore (2026), Dir. Nicole Bazuin

Synopsis: “Former escort Andrea Werhun shares the ins and outs of escort review board culture, exposing the complexities of sexual power and social stigma in a post-MeToo world.”

My quick thoughts: I will be the first to admit that I think sex work is a valid profession, but I walked into Modern Whore with preconceived ideas about it. Those same ideas were completely stripped away with Bazuin’s documentary and Andrea Werhun’s depiction of her life. There’s subject matter that arises that is hard to accept, like the amount of victimization and sexual abuse that escorts are subjected to. And how there aren’t many protections, if any, for them. While society places all the shame onto the escorts, they still seek to break the stigmas around their profession. It’s a wonderful documentary that shows sex workers in a new light, that humanizes them.

How I watched: Screener for review

JFK (1991), Dir. Oliver Stone

Synopsis: “Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison.”

My quick thoughts: I can’t be the only person who thought this movie was Kevin Costner playing JFK, right? Well, I was wrong, and I’m glad because JFK is about so much more than just examining the JFK assassination. Much like V for Vendetta, I watched this at the right age. I felt an overwhelming sense of patriotism watching this, to fight for a version of America that doesn’t exist, and maybe never did. Which is weird because I never really gave much of a care about being from America. But Oliver Stone’s ability to piece together theories, archival footage, black and white, flashbacks, and fourth wall-breaking is what they created the term epic for. If you haven’t watched this yet, I suggest doing it soon!

How I watched: At home with a DVD

Mother Mary (2026), Dir. David Lowery

Synopsis: “Long-buried wounds rise to the surface when iconic pop star Mother Mary reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer Sam Anselm on the eve of her comeback performance.”

My quick thoughts: I stayed up for nearly 24 hours writing my full thoughts for Mother Mary. And I still feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface on what that film was, but I loved it. The costuming, the music, the performances, and the emotions were all perfect. The scars of losing a friendship so connected as Mary (Anne Hathaway) and Sam (Michaela Coel) are hard to heal. Especially when the absence of the other person is a painful reminder of simpler times. Lowery puts into focus the cost of fame and the lingering ghosts of those who helped achieve that fame. To absolutely no one’s surprise I cried, and Mother Mary sits comfortably at my favorite film of the year so far.

How I watched: In a movie theater for review

Thanks for reading my favorites of April. See you again for May!

Want more reviews? Click here!