(L to R) Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5. Photo: Disney/Patrick Harbron.
Launching on Hulu on September 9th with the first three episodes (seven more debut once weekly), ‘Only Murders in the Building’ returns for a fifth season of mysterious death, quirky characters and, this time at least, the intersection of old mob ways with New York’s modern powerbrokers.
Steve Martin in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5. Photo: Disney/Patrick Harbron.
For the last few years, ‘Only Murders in the Building’ has been a reliable provider of murder mystery mixed with the vaudeville comedy of Steve Martin and Martin Short, plus a side of eye-rolling millennial reactions from Selena Gomez. The combination has worked extremely well, providing confounding cases and lots of laughs.
The question is, however, does the fifth season do enough to differentiate itself from what has gone before, or should we be happy that we’re getting more of the same if it’s still entertaining?
Script and Direction
Renée Zellweger in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5. Photo: Disney/Patrick Harbron.
There remains a lot to like about ‘Only Murders’ –– the scripts remain witty and the central mystery thorny –– in this case, the death of longtime doorman Lester (Teddy Coluca).
Yet there are some problems with the season this time around –– it’s just not as fresh as it usually feels. The new characters are fine, but compared to previous examples of guest casting, they just don’t have the same amount of zing.
The show’s direction remains on point –– but with the focus on the Arconia once more (even given some new locations discovered), there’s only so much you can do to keep it interesting.
Cast and Performances
Christoph Waltz in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5. Photo: Disney/Patrick Harbron.
Martin, Short and Gomez are still great in the lead roles; the issue is that much of what they get to do here is a variation on previous work.
Naturally, Martin has some funny physical business, Short gets to be extra in all ways, and Gomez is still the best at a blend of vulnerability and heart, plus her ability to side-eye her older companions.
Of the new faces this year, Logan Lerman makes the most impact as a young billionaire, while the likes of Christoph Waltz and Renée Zellweger don’t get as much to, but have fun with their roles.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) Selena Gomez and Logan Lerman in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5. Photo: Disney/Patrick Harbron.
‘Only Murders in the Building’ is definitely starting to show its age –– the concept only has so much flexibility in it.
It’s still a very fun show to watch, but its best days may now be behind it.
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5 receives 65 out of 100.
Tea Leoni in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5. Photo: Disney/Patrick Harbron.
What’s the plot of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5?
After their beloved doorman, Lester (Teddy Coluca), dies under suspicious circumstances, Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) refuse to believe it was an accident. Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond — where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters, and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.
The trio discovers a deeper divide between their storied city they thought they knew and the new New York evolving around them — one where the old mob fights to hold on as newer, even more dangerous players emerge.
Who stars in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5?
Premiering August 20th on Hulu is the new limited series ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’, which is based on the true story Amanda Knox, an American wrongly convicted of murder in Italy in 2007.
Grace Van Patten stars in ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Grace Van Patten about her work on ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’, her approach to playing the character, and what audiences will learn about the shocking true story.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Van Patten, Giuseppe De Domenico, John Hoogenakker, K.J. Steinberg, and executive producer Warren Littlefield.
Grace Van Patten in ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’. Photo: Hulu.
Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your approach to playing a character like Amanda Knox, who the world thinks that they already know everything about, and what will audiences learn about her from this series?
Grace Van Patten: I’m curious to see how people react. I think the show gives everyone an opportunity to form an opinion based on facts and what really happened as opposed to the press at the time and all these shocking headlines. I’m guilty of it too. I thought I knew a lot more than what I did, and working on it, I learned so much and I was shocked by the information. So, I think people watching it will feel the same way.
Grace Van Patten in ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’. Photo: Hulu.
MF: Finally, what did it mean to you personally to play this role and tell Amanda’s story?
GVP: Amanda’s such a unique individual person and that’s why these people who didn’t understand that behavior thought it was so wrong. So, it was a fine line of trying to show her individual personality and show that it wasn’t this wrong behavior that everyone took it as. She was just a 20-year-old girl who had never dealt with anything even close to this. I think it just shows that something like that could really happen to anyone and who knows how anyone would react to a situation like that, especially at such a young age.
Editorial Note: Krisily Fernstrom conducted this interview and contributed to this article.
(L to R) Stefano Cassetti and Grace Van Patten in ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’. Photo: Hulu.
What is the plot of ‘’The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’?
Amanda Knox (Grace Van Patten) arrives in Italy for her study abroad only to be wrongfully imprisoned for murder weeks later. Follow Knox’s relentless fight to prove her innocence and reclaim her freedom and examines why authorities and the world stood so firmly in judgment.
Who is the in the cast of ‘’The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’?
Jeremy Allen White as Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto in ‘The Bear’ Season 4. Photo: FX.
‘The Bear’ Season 4 receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
Released via FX on Hulu with its entire 10-episode fourth season on June 25th, ‘The Bear’ returns us to the world of Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) and his attempts to blend fine dining with the chaotic world of his extended Chicago family.
It’s no secret that after a sleeper hit first season, a critically acclaimed, award-winning and much-watched second, culinary drama ‘The Bear’ went off the boil somewhat in its third. The ingredients were the same –– great performances, visually stylish and one of the better collections of needle drops on TV –– but somehow the script and the pace let it down.
The big question going forward is whether Season 4 sees the blend back in balance.
Early reports had the fourth season shot back to back with the third, but aside from a couple of small elements, this was not the case. But the overarching feeling, even in a meta sense, is of the series almost apologizing for past stumbles.
That’s perhaps not all that surprising in a show where the main characters are all a work in progress in terms of their own careers and healing journeys, dealing with a soup of past trauma, self-esteem issues and other psychological problems. The character of Carmy in particular realizes the damage he has inflicted on those around him and (mostly) aims to make good.
Unlike the last season, this is handled in compelling fashion by the narrative, which finds a better mix of the tone of the show and moving its story alone.
There are still lingering problems with pace in some scenes, it’s as if everyone decided that certain moments didn’t need to be edited and could instead play out way beyond their useful time scale. And while the show’s long sequences of food preparation largely remain compelling, some still come across as filler.
‘The Bear’s visual style remains excellent, making good use of Chicago locations and keeping us close to the characters when the emotional flames are high.
Even the humor level is raised this year –– even if the series really shouldn’t be competing in the comedy categories.
He remains the main character and focus of the show, but Jeremy Allen White’s Carmy is still dialed down a little bit this year. The actor’s mournful face and low-key performance work for the role, and he plays well against almost anyone, particular Edebiri and Moss-Bachrach.
As Syd, Ayo Edebiri continues to rank among the series most valuable performers, and co-wrote her own showcase episode this year, which saw her taking a day away from the restaurant to ponder a tempting job opportunity elsewhere while she’s getting her hair done by a cousin (there are so many cousins in this show, it’s almost hard to keep track). She’s typically great as the genius cook with the almighty crisis of confidence.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach is likewise a star of the show, an actor who has proved he can steal scenes no matter the genre or material. Richie is a particularly juicy part, a screw-up who is committed to turning his life around and has found his calling running the dining experience at in-show restaurant The Bear. His turbulent personal life –– his ex-wife is getting re-married and he wonders about his connection to his young daughter –– is also fuel for superb performances.
Liza Colón-Zayas’ Tina isn’t in the spotlight quite as much last season (when she got her own showcase episode), but she’s still a welcome presence, struggling with the timing on a new pasta dish. She’s also a welcome sprinkling of spice in other scenes, such as when she’s encouraging Carmy on his own journey.
Around the main cast is a variety of excellent supporting performers, ‘The Bear’ always working best as a stew of people and personalities rather than just Carmy’s obsessions. Episode 7, ‘Bears’ is the true highlight of the season, an hourlong entry set at the wedding of Richie’s ex-wife Tiffany (Gillian Jacobs) to Frank (Josh Hartnett).
It features the return of top-caliber recurring performers such as Jamie Lee Curtis (as Carmy and Natalie’s troubled mother Donna), Bob Odenkirk as “Uncle” Lee Lane (Donna’s occasional boyfriend), and the welcome addition of –– spoiler alert in case you don’t want to know about new guest stars –– Brie Larson, who fits perfectly as one of the sprawling Fak family.
There is also the welcome return of Will Poulter as Chef Luca, bringing a humble, funny energy to the kitchen.
It might not be simmering back at the level of the first or second seasons, but ‘The Bear’ has certainly found a better mix for its various elements for a more satisfying final dish this time.
While the finale leaves some plot threads dangling, if the cast’s increasingly busy schedule makes future seasons challenging, this would work to put a lid on the show.
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What’s the plot of ‘The Bear’ Season 4?
Season 4 of ‘The Bear’ sees Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) grappling with the restaurant’s success and his own future, leading to a dramatic shift in his role and the restaurant’s leadership structure.
The season explores themes of family, trauma, and the relentless pursuit of perfection within the high-pressure environment of a fine-dining restaurant. Sydney faces her own career crossroads, while Richie continues his journey of self-discovery and leadership.
Nicole Kidman in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ premiering May 21, 2025 on Hulu. Photo: Disney/Reiner Bajo.
‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Season 2 receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.
Released on Hulu on May 21st with the first two episodes followed by one weekly, the second season of ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ re-introduces us to enigmatic and experimental wellness “expert” Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman), who is still finding ways to have her clients deal with their issues –– usually through the liberal application of pharmaceuticals.
Henry Golding in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ premiering May 21, 2025 on Hulu. Photo: Disney/Reiner Bajo.
Given the chaos that enveloped the first season’s batch of clients, who showed up at a Californian retreat to be greeted by the mysterious Masha (Kidman), you might struggle to believe that anyone would want to subject themselves to her ministrations.
Yet without that suspension of disbelief (and honestly in the word of the wealthy and emotionally desperate, there is plenty of that), Season 2 of ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ really wouldn’t exist.
It has a dramatic kin in ‘The White Lotus’ –– sharing the idea of privileged types going through experiences and (sometimes) processing trauma –– and like Mike White’s show for HBO, does rather run the risk of repeating itself.
Script and Direction
Dolly De Leon in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ premiering May 21, 2025 on Hulu. Photo: Disney/Reiner Bajo.
While Season 1 was mostly based on Liane Moriarty’s source novel, here show bosses David E. Kelley and John-Henry Butterworth branch off on their own storyline, with a similar concept but a brand new setting.
Here, the castle-like mansion of Zauberwald, nestled in breathtaking Alpine scenery is the location for the new retreat that Masha has been curating thanks to her old friend Helena (Olin).
While the frosty locale feels like an even more fitting background for Kidman’s chilly manipulator, the scripts can’t completely get away from the feeling that we’re treading similar ground. True, the issues are slightly different –– while Season 1 had a family mired in grief over the death of a teen, here there two different dysfunctional parent/grown child dynamics, along with a collection of other troubled souls –– but you really know a lot more what to expect this time, and the surprise is not there.
(L to R) King Princess and Maisie Richardson-Sellers in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ premiering May 21, 2025 on Hulu. Photo: Disney/Reiner Bajo.
It won’t surprise you to learn (though we won’t specify how) that none of the guests are there by accident, but while the trippy sequences still work to some degree, with the highlights including Murray Bartlett’s disgraced children’s TV host talking with sentient versions of his own puppets and a standout sequence exploring the tortured history of Annie Murphy’s Imogen and mother Victoria, played by Christine Baranski, there’s less of a frisson this time.
Jonathan Levine, who was an executive producer and directed all of Season 1, returns for the lion’s share of the episodes, with Anthony Byrne also handling some. The Alpine setting does provide some visual interest, and the stark, strange castle retreat makes for a fun location. The visual language of the drug trips has also expanded in entertaining ways this season.
Cast and Performances
(Lto R) Maisie Richardson-Sellers and Murray Bartlett in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ premiering May 21, 2025 on Hulu. Photo: Disney/Reiner Bajo.
As with the first season, one of the strongest elements of the new run lies in the casting. Once you get over the idea of anyone willingly putting themselves in Masha’s hands, you can revel in several solid acting turns.
Murray Bartlett is prime among them. Having been on the other side of the retreat coin as the nervy, stressed Armond in ‘The White Lotus’ first season, here he’s still giving excellent energy as Brian, who was effectively cancelled after raging at his staff on camera. Bartlett is so good with this type of character, bringing nuance and depth to him.
Christine Baranski is playing a familiar role as the booze-happy Victoria, but once again her sheer ability to bring something extra to what could be a basic role is a marvel to behold. She makes for a great parent/child pairing with Annie Murphy, who channels real frustration and entitlement as Imogen, her daughter.
Mark Strong in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ premiering May 21, 2025 on Hulu. Photo: Disney/Reiner Bajo.
In similar fashion, Mark Strong and Henry Golding make for a good pair as billionaire David and troubled son Peter, whose relationship has been fractured by David’s past infidelity to Peter’s mother. They play well off each other, even if their storyline sometimes feels like an off-the-shelf dilemma.
Dolly DeLeon, meanwhile, is another standard as questioning nun Sister Agnes, struggling over past decisions and questioning her faith in not just her Catholic religion.
And, of course, Kidman, who while she’s really just doing a variation on her standard icy power play, still finds sparks of humanity within Masha, especially when the show takes a further dip into her past.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) Annie Murphy and Aras Aydin in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ premiering May 21, 2025 on Hulu. Photo: Disney/Reiner Bajo.
The second season of ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ cannot entirely escape the feeling of déjà vu despite some fresh twists and turns. Still, the heightened reality works for the most part and the cast bring committed, watchable performances that carry this over the line.
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What’s the plot of ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Season 2?
Nicole Kidman returns as the enigmatic healing guru Masha in the second season, based on Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel.
A new batch of wellness-seekers arrive at a mysterious Alpine resort of looking for transformative paths to betterment and happiness. During their stay, the guests partake in unconventional methods to reach their goals while Masha is forced to confront some past demons… Threatening to destroy both her own personal wellness, and that of her guests.
(Left) Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment / Universal Pictures. (Right) Charles (Steve Martin), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Oliver (Martin Short) on Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’. Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
Preview:
Renée Zellweger will appear in ‘Only Murders in the Building’s fifth season.
She joins stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez.
And that’s without mentioning returning guest stars such as Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep.
Meryl Streep as Loretta in Hulu’s ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
So it should be little surprise that the fifth season of the show will boast some suitably big names –– with Renée Zellweger the latest addition, according to Deadline.
The new season recently started rolling its cameras in New York, following the show’s success at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where it won Comedy Series Ensemble and a Male Actor in a Comedy Series gong for Short.
What’s the story of ‘Only Murders in the Building’?
(L to R) Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez in Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’ season 2. Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu.
‘Only Murders in the Building,’ which started in August 2021, focuses on a trio of strangers –– Charles-Haden Savage (Martin), a misanthropic semi-retired actor who was the star of the popular 1990s crime drama, Oliver Putnam, (Short) an ambitious but financially struggling Broadway director and Mabel Mora, (Gomez) a young artist and apartment renovator living alone in her aunt’s unit, who was part of a quartet that solved pretend mysteries throughout her childhood and teenage years –– with a shared interest in true crime podcasts.
The three become unlikely friends while investigating a succession of suspicious murders in the Arconia, their upscale apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and producing their own podcast about the cases, titled ‘Only Murders in the Building.’
Through the previous four seasons, they’ve investigated several mysterious slayings, including an old friend of Mabel’s in the first, another building resident in the second, an egotistical actor in the third and Charles’ good friend and colleague, stuntwoman Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch).
As is usual for the show, the end of Season 4 set up the new mystery for the fifth –– and it’s really the only solid information we have on the season.
In the final episode of the season, Charles, Mabel and Oliver discover the body of Lester, (Teddy Coluca) the Arconia doorman, dead in the building’s fountain.
This is what ‘Only Murders’ showrunner Jordan Hoffman told The Wrap about Season 5:
“We’re trying to tell a particular kind of take from a New York angle. Season Five will hit on some very current things going on within New York, specifically very relevant things that are happening in the city right now, in ways that honestly we couldn’t have even predicted. We built our story and then certain things revealed themselves, and vice versa. It’s a little bit more reflective, deeply New York, both historically and the modern New York right now too. The show has always been classic meets modern.”
Who else will show up on ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5?
(L to R) Cooper Hoffman and Christoph Waltz in the Action/Comedy film ‘Old Guy’, a The Avenue release. Photo courtesy of The Avenue.
But the creative team is staying quiet about who the new arrivals will be playing, looking to maintain the surprise.
In the past, some of the guests have played themselves, while others added to the quirky ensemble of characters who make up the world of ‘Only Murders.’
Where else will we see Renée Zellweger?
(L to R) Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones and Leo Woodall as Roxster in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures.
Zellweger was recently back on our screens in possibly her most well-known role, that of Bridget Jones in fourth franchise entry ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.’
And while ‘Only Murders’ is the only confirmed next job for her, she does have several movies and shows in development including ‘The Back Nine,’ about a golfer getting back to her career and ‘Heft,’ about a mother reaching to her former writing professor to help with her son.
When will Season 5 of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ hit Hulu?
Hulu has yet to officially announce the launch date for the new season, but a March production start offers a clue.
Season 4 started filming the same time last year, and was on screens the following August. So if we were to guess, we’d say to expect more murder, mayhem and comedy in late August.
(L to R) Oliver (Martin Short), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Charles (Steve Martin) on Hulu’s ‘Only Murders In The Building’. Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu.
Movies and TV Shows Similar to ‘Only Murders in the Building’:
‘The Brutalist’s Adrien Brody took home Best Actor while ‘Anora’s Mikey Madison was named Best Actress.
Conan O’Brien was the ceremony’s host.
So that, then, was the 97th Academy Awards. Hosted by comedian and talk show host Conan O’Brien, the 2025 Oscars ended with ‘Anora’ taking home Best Picture.
The indie film from A24 had been picking up other awards, but began to dominate the ceremony with Sean Baker taking Director, Editing and Original Screenplay and star Mikey Madison winning Best Actress in what was a surprise, since the “Demi Moore rebirth” narrative had seemed to be dominating.
And Baker’s four personal awards made Oscar history –– no-one has nabbed so many trophies in one night before. Also making the record books? ‘Wicked’ costume designed Paul Tazewell, who becomes the first black man to win his category and getting to celebrate that very fact in his speech.
In fact, outside of ‘Anora’s big shocker, it was a largely democratic Oscars, spreading the love around a few titles, including ‘The Brutalist’ (Cinematography, Score and Adrien Brody as Best Actor) ‘Wicked’ (which took the aforementioned Costume Design prize alongside Production Design), ‘Dune: Part Two’ (Sound and Visual Effects) and ‘Emilia Pérez,’ which saw Zoe Saldaña score yet another trophy on her triumphant awards season march.
‘Flow’ made waves as Best Animated Feature, seeing off the bigger studio likes of ‘The Wild Robot’ and ‘Inside Out 2,’ while in the Entirely Unsurprising section, Kieran Culkin took the stage for his latest Best Supporting Actor win for ‘A Real Pain.’
Conan O’Brien made for a snarky, witty host, and proved he’s got the goods for this particular gig. There were the political statements, emotional moments and, of course, a sprinkling of cross-promotional opportunities (such as having Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot of the forthcoming live-action ‘Snow White’ team up to hand out an award.
But the show also ran to three hours and 45 minutes, and even a funny musical bit by O’Brien at the start (featuring a ‘Dune’ sandworm on piano and a dancing Deadpool) about not wasting time couldn’t quite make up for that.
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There was also criticism of an overlong and weird Bond music tribute, while the choice of tune (“Ease on Down the Road” from ‘The Wiz’) to salute music legend Quincy Jones was also questionable.
Kieran Culkin accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Supporting Role during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Zoe Saldaña accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Peter Straughan accepts the Oscar® for Adapted Screenplay during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
‘A Complete Unknown,’ Screenplay by James Mangold and Jay Cocks
‘Conclave,’ Screenplay by Peter Straughan – WINNER
‘Emilia Pérez,’ Screenplay by Jacques Audiard; In collaboration with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius and Nicolas Livecchi
‘Nickel Boys,’ Screenplay by RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes
Sean Baker accepts the Oscar® for Original Screenplay during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Clément Ducol, Jacques Audiard and Camille Dalmais accept the Oscar® for Original Song during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Lily-Rose Depp and Elle Fanning present the Oscar® for Costume Design to Paul Tazewell during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Richard King, Gareth John, and Ron Bartlett accept the Oscar® for Sound during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
‘A Complete Unknown,’ Tod A. Maitland, Donald Sylvester, Ted Caplan, Paul Massey and David Giammarco
Rachel Szor, Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham and Hamdan Ballal accepts the Oscar® for Documentary Feature Film during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Molly O’Brien and Lisa Remington accept the Oscar® for Documentary Short Film during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Walter Salles accepts the Oscar® for International Feature Film during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Gregory Zalcman accepts the Oscar® for Animated Feature Film during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales accept the Oscar® for Production Design during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
‘The Brutalist,’ Production Design: Judy Becker; Set Decoration: Patricia Cuccia
‘Conclave,’ Production Design: Suzie Davies; Set Decoration: Cynthia Sleiter
‘Nosferatu,’ Production Design: Craig Lathrop; Set Decoration: Beatrice Brentnerová
‘Wicked,’ Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales – WINNER
FILM EDITING
Sean Baker accepts the Oscar® for Film Editing during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
Preview:
Sarah Michelle Gellar is attached to a ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ sequel pilot.
Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman are aboard to write, showrun, and executive produce.
Chloé Zhao will direct the pilot and produce.
As the opening narration of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ used to intone, “In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.”
If Hulu’s plans work out, we might just get to meet this generation’s Slayer –– with a little help from the previous one.
Yes, in a world where every old show and movie is now potential fodder for a sequel, reboot or remake, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ is one that has been talked about a few times before.
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Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, it might actually come to fruition, as word arrives that streaming service Hulu is exploring the concept of a ‘Buffy’ streaming series.
With Disney’s 20th Television backing the idea, ‘Poker Face’ showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman are developing what is being described as “the next chapter in the Buffyverse.”
Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, whose movies include ‘Nomadland’ and Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ is set to direct the pilot and serve as a producer.
But perhaps more exciting for ‘Buffy’ fans is news that the original Buffy Summers herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, is attached to recur on the show, albeit more as a mentor figure to the new focus, a fresh-faced Slayer who will be tasked with tackling vampires and other supernatural creatures.
The cast of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
‘Buffy’ is a concept that has already shown an ability to evolve.
It originated as a film starring Kristy Swanson in the title role. Joss Whedon wrote the film with Fran Kuzui directing and was released in 1992.
Five years later, the series version, created by Whedon and now starring Gellar, debuted on The WB.
It aired on The WB for its first five seasons before airing its final two seasons on UPN.
The original series’ executive producers included Gail Berman of the Jackal Group and Fran Kuzui & Kaz Kuzui via Suite B, who will all get a credit on the new pilot.
The cast of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
And fun fact: also executive producing the pilot is Dolly Parton, whose company Sandollar was producer on the original.
Whedon, who oversaw the show’s seven-season run, will not return to work on any new version. In 2021, the writer/producer, who also crafted the first two ‘Avengers’ movies and TV series ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ for Marvel, was accused of creating a toxic work environment on both ‘Buffy’ and ‘Angel’ by nearly a dozen people associated with the show, particularly Carpenter.
Berman, and the Kuzuis previously teamed up with 20th TV in 2018 for a potential ‘Buffy’ reboot written by ‘Midnight, Texas’ creator Monica Owusu-Breen, on which Whedon was an executive producer. That project, whose lead was envisioned as a Black woman, didn’t move forward.
The biggest dangling question any sequel series would need to answer is the clever notion introduced by the series’ final season, in that Buffy’s death (she got better) in a previous season triggered a raft of new potential Slayers. Is there just going to be one in the new series? We’ll have to wait and see.
What has Sarah Michelle Gellar previously said about returning for a new ‘Buffy’ series?
Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
Gellar has been in two minds about the idea of reprising Buffy Summers.
In 2023, she poured cold water on taking on a new ‘Buffy’ series, telling UK magazine SFX:
“I am very proud of the show that we created and it doesn’t need to be done. We wrapped that up. I am all for them continuing the story because there’s the story of female empowerment. I love the way the show was left: ‘Every girl who has the power can have the power.’ It’s set up perfectly for someone else to have the power. But like I said, the metaphors of ‘Buffy’ were the horrors of adolescence. I think I look young, but I am not an adolescent.”
“I always used to say no because it’s in its bubble and it’s so perfect. But watching ‘And Just Like That…’ (the ‘Sex and the City’ sequel series) and seeing ‘Dexter: Original Sin,’ and realizing there are ways to do it, definitely does get your mind thinking, ‘Well, maybe.’”
It seems the new concept has shifted her from “maybe” to all in…
When will the new ‘Buffy’ series be on screens?
Hulu has yet to make any official announcement –– and indeed, hasn’t confirmed any of the details, so we’ll have to wait and see whether this even makes it into production, let alone learn a launch date for the eventual show on the streaming service.
(L to R) David Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Franchise:
Premiering on Hulu with its initial three episodes on January 28th followed by a weekly schedule for the remaining five, ‘Paradise’ is the latest show from Dan Fogelman, who last brought us the hugely successful (and massively tear duct-targeting) cross-generational family drama ‘This Is Us’.
Here, Fogelman is channeling more of a another show he’s been involved with (albeit more as a consultant than a showrunner), ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ though the tone here is much more geared towards mystery box thriller than the comedy stylings of the Steve Martin series.
Still, it certainly shares some elements in kind with Fogelman’s heavy network hitter, not the least of which is the presence of that show’s breakout star Sterling K. Brown, here the full lead of ‘Paradise.’
And like ‘This Is Us,’ there’s more to ‘Paradise’ than its basic logline suggests, but we’ll leave that for you to discover.
(L to R) Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.
While trying to tiptoe around talking about ‘Paradise’s true nature is a frustrating experience from a critic’s point of view, that’s not to say that there isn’t plenty about the show that we can recommend.
Fogelman has clearly not lost his touch with character building, and he and the writing team make this an appealing place in which to spend time because the people filling it are complex and compelling.
Brown’s in particularly could have come across as starchier than his well-pressed suits, but as lead Secret Service agent Xavier Collins, assigned to protect a former President (James Marsden) who discovers him dead, he brings real life to the character.
Oh, and the whole dead President thing is in the trailer (and the opening minutes of the show), so we’re safe talk about that.
While not every subplot works as well as others (a growing friendship/potential relationship between Xavier’s daughter Presley played Aliyah Mastin and Charlie Evans as the late leader’s son Jeremy) feels particularly trite, though the actors still bring real charm, it’s mostly a dynamic, easy-to-enjoy series.
Script and Direction
(L to R) James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.
Fogelman brings plenty of what made ‘This Is Us’ so damnably captivating here, and the ongoing mystery plot means it also isn’t always going for your heartstrings (though there’s still plenty of that, with some well-earned moments of emotion).
He and the rest of the writers clearly enjoy playing with time, and though some of the flashbacks dotted around most of the episodes can occasionally be grating (with one or two hard to figure out exactly when they take place), they’re largely effective.
As a mystery set in a small town heavy with secrets, ‘Paradise’ certainly keeps you guessing, and almost every character has something about them that’ll make you wonder about their true motivations. It also helps that the writers have cooked up some complicated personal connections between the various personalities who call Paradise home.
Visually, the directors (Hanelle M. Culpepper,Stephen Williams and ‘This Is Us’ helmers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa handle the various episodes), bring a real sense of style and energy to the scenes, especially in certain flashbacks.
‘Paradise’: Performances
With Brown as its confident core, ‘Paradise’ supports him with a great ensemble.
Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Cross
Sterling K. Brown in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.
Brown, who did such good work as Randall Pearson on ‘This Is Us’ here shines as the conflicted Agent Cross, a man dedicated to protecting his boss but also burning with grief and resentment over some past issue between them. What’s that issue? That would be telling, but it’s worth noting that we’re introduced to Xavier as a single dad still mourning a lost wife.
And, as referenced earlier, Brown makes the character work so well, bringing his trademark blend of straight-arrow hero and complicated charm to the role.
James Marsden as President Cal Bradford
James Marsden in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.
Marsden’s President is a slightly smarmy, often drunken take on a Kennedy type of Commander in Chief, but the actor’s innate likeability still shows through the flaws and moods.
And yes, in case you were wondering, he does appear in more than the first 10 minutes of the show thanks to extensive flashbacks.
Nicholson plays Samantha Redmond, a member of the President’s coterie whose nickname is “Sinatra,” but to say much more about her would be to get too deep into the initial mystery.
Suffice to say, however, that Nicholson takes a role that could be one-note and, thanks to clever use of her own flashbacks, makes it work.
A genius psychologist brought in to help with the murder investigation, Torabi is a good role for Shahi, and she brings her usual likeability and spine of steel to the part.
McRaney, another ‘This Is Us’ alum, is good value as Cal’s crochety father who is still imposing despite a slow decline in health.
Final Thoughts
Sterling K. Brown in ‘Paradise’. Photo: Hulu.
How you react to ‘Paradise’ might depend on your tolerance for mystery box shows that dole out information piecemeal. However, unlike some recent examples, Fogelman’s effort puts some of its bigger cards out on the table early, allowing you to then delve into the wider story.
The characters for the most part work well and the writing, while occasionally overwrought, services a game cast.
And even the odd trope, such as one character promising to reveal what they know leading to an entirely predictable murder shortly thereafter is tweaked in such as way as to keep you from rolling your eyes too hard.
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What’s the plot of ‘Paradise’?
The series is reported to involve a Secret Service Agent (Sterling K. Brown) assigned to the protection detail of a former President (James Marsden).
(L to R) Director David Gordon Green and Ben Stiller on the set of ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director David Gordon Green and Ben Stiller about their work on ‘Nutcrackers’, how the unusual production came together, discovering the Janson siblings, Stiller’s experience working with Green and the kids, tone, choreographing the dance sequence, shooting on location, reading children’s stories, and making a family Christmas movie.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Green, Stiller, Linda Cardellini, Homer Janson, Ulysses Janson, Atlas Janson, and Arlo Janson.
Director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
Moviefone: To begin with, David, I understand that this production was done in an unusual way, can you talk about how this movie came together?
David Gordon Green: It all started a little bit backwards, where I met the cast before we had a script. These four kids were the sons of a friend of mine from film school that live on this farm where we filmed it and they’re ballet dancers, and so hanging out with them, I just thought there’s a movie here if we’re crazy enough to turn a camera on them. I got my buddy Leland (Douglas) to come and write a movie and our influences were the 80s movies we grew up on. Movies like ‘Overboard’, ‘Bad News Bears’ and ‘Six Pack’, this Kenny Rogers movie about orphaned kids was a big one for me, and ‘Uncle Buck’, which I think is a classic but somehow underappreciated. We wanted to lean into those tropes, the nostalgic flavor of those movies, and make a family Christmas movie that I could show to my kids.
Ben Stiller in ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: Ben, what was it like for you as a filmmaker yourself to work in that specific way with David on this movie?
Ben Stiller: Well, I’ve been a fan of his for a long time, and over the years we’ve tried to figure out something to do together. He is such a good filmmaker. He comes from the independent world. He can work in different genres. But he’s great with comedy and he loves movies. This guy loves movies. He loves making movies. I don’t know when the last time I was on a set with a director where they just literally said out of nowhere, “I love making movies.” But he did a couple days in, I was like, this is my guy. I love it. He was just so excited to capture these kids and this place and this world. He was coming from a very independent, organic place with this movie where he just wanted to make something that I think hearkens back to the world that he comes from with his first movies. He created such a fun atmosphere. As an actor, you just want to work with a filmmaker who has a point of view and has a voice and feels inspired, and that’s what it felt like on this one.
Director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: David, after making three ‘Halloween’ movies and an ‘Exorcist’ film, what was it like to make a family friendly Christmas movie?
DGG: It is fun because it’s a different set of challenges. How do you not lean into some of the vulgarity and the grotesqueness that gives me such a jolt in the filmmaking process, but this was leaning into different things and trying to find things that felt natural and authentic about childhood and things that made me laugh about this group, this ensemble, and then bringing Ben Stiller into the insanity. It was a different set of circumstances and honesty, it was cool. We shot it on 35 millimeter and really wanted it to be a bit of a flashback to that era of movies and put our modern day independent minded spin on it.
(L to R) Ben Stiller and director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: The movie is a comedy with dramatic moments. David, can you talk about striking the right tone for this film?
DGG: It wasn’t difficult once we landed Ben Stiller for the movie. I felt very comfortable with the dramatic gravity of the movie and the comedic opportunity of the movie. He’s one of the few actors in that niche that can play in both ranges so well, so we could lean one way and then feel like we’ve done the funny version of the scene, what happens if we play it in the serious emotional version of the scene? In the editing room, we got to make a lot of those decisions and figure out what our balance was. I was really trying to engineer something that parents and kids would each get something different out of and enjoy watching together.
Ben Stiller in ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: In addition to being a great actor, Ben is also an accomplished writer, director and producer. David, is it an added asset to have someone like him on set?
DGG: Yeah, it was valuable. He’s an actor I’ve always admired and a director I really admire. The choices he’s making these days, and it had been too long since the last time he was in front of the camera so for me, it was “Hey man, let’s do this. This is an opportunity to let loose and take all the pressure off because it’s not a big franchise.” There’s only so much preparation you can do because these kids have never acted before, been in front of a camera, and the animals are running lose all over their house. You can’t be in control. All you can do is put a camera in a place and start to play. So for both of us, it was a chance to really break the rules that the last several years of our professional careers had constructed these cages around us of discipline and this was just anarchy. What greater collaborator to do that, to step back into that world of anarchy than Ben Stiller?
(Far Right) Director David Gordon Green and the cast of ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: David, can you talk about working with the Janson siblings and what is it like directing actors who have never acted before?
DGG: A couple of them couldn’t read and they weren’t going to memorize their scripts in a traditional way, so we brought in an acting coach to give them the essence of a scene and help sculpt what that might be so that when Ben got to town, they would already have a formation of an idea. It wasn’t like “Hey, Arlo, you stand here and say this line.” It wasn’t memorized in that way, it was more like, here’s what the in and out of the scene must achieve, and then we do play to the nuances. Sometimes we’d play it funny, and the kids would be allowed to cuss and other times we’d say “Okay, keep it clean, and let’s do this one in a different style”. It was just playful. It was one 35-millimeter camera sitting on a tripod, and we just try to put it in a place where whoever was the hero of the scene, whether it was Ben or one of the kids or one of the pigs, let’s let them lead the way. Every day unfolded like that. You could have a plan for the day, but it was never going to work. You would always just have to evolve with the realities of this organism of the creative process on this movie. It was fun and liberating in a lot of ways because there weren’t the traditional rules that you have on a movie with either a studio behind you or the pressure of a franchise or these other things that we come face to face with as filmmakers. This was like, let’s just roll the dice and see if these kids are as cool as I think they are, and they exceeded all our expectations.
The cast of ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: Ben, what was your experience like working with the Jansons and acting opposite non-actors?
BS: I mean, that was one of the reasons I wanted to do the movie, just to have an experience where these kids weren’t going to have a pre-determined idea of what they’re supposed to do or be professionally trained in any way. I felt like if David was thinking that they would be great to be in this movie, then there must be something there and a reason for that. He was right. They just brought so much of their heart and their innocence and their humor to the process. So, every day, as I thought it might be, it was different. We didn’t know what would happen, and it was a little bit chaotic in a great way, and I think that was what David wanted to capture, the real-life moments, and make this film not feel like a cookie cutter movie for the holidays, but really feel like something that was unique and independent and organic. Every day was just fun. It flew by. The whole movie is very real. They are doing the ‘Nutcracker’ at the theater in Wilmington in less than a month. When we shot the movie last year, they were doing the ‘Nutcracker’, and I went to see them all dance, and these guys are amazing dancers. I mean, it’s all kind of real.
‘Nutcrackers’ premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: David, what was it like shooting the ‘Nutcracker’ dance sequence at the end of the film?
DGG: The kids were preparing to do the ‘Nutcracker’. They’re doing it again right now. They do it every year and so I had their ballet teacher choreograph the scene. I said here’s our version of the story. Can you choreograph something for us? They take ballet three times a week, so they know what they’re doing, and they have the discipline as dancers. I think that was a great attribute to them as actors is there was a little bit of if they have choreographers that they’re working for and the directors of the dance department that they acknowledge and admire, Ben and I could step into those shoes a little bit. They were receptive to the guidance and the sculpture that we were trying to create, and then that just got us ready for the dance sequence in the middle of the night on the street when it was 10 degrees outside, which was a very surreal experience for the entire town. It was a fun community to be making a movie in because there’s not a lot that has filmed in Wilmington, Ohio. It was funny, because we went back to the Murphy Theater where we filmed the movie, where they were going to put on their big dance performance at the end of the film and we played the movie for a crowd. So, it was fun realizing that a lot of people had no idea what we were doing. They were like “Oh, this is a real movie.” I think they thought it was some sort of weird performance art we were just doing on the streets of their town last year. It was cool to have this. They were always very supportive and a welcoming artistic community, so it was cool to be able to find that balance between the agricultural community, the artistic community, and see everybody enjoying a movie with one mindset. It was a beautiful experience.
‘Nutcrackers’ premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: David, in the film, you mention that the Murphy Theater is where actor John Ritter was married. Is that true?
DGG: It is the theater that John Ritter was married in. I was very proud to be able to work that nuance into it because I’m a big John Ritter fan. So, I love the fact that we could lean into that reality with our tour of the Murphy Theater.
Ben Stiller in ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: There is a scene in the movie where Ben’s character is reading bedtime stories to the kids and ends up retelling the plot of ‘First Blood’. David, was that an improvisation or was that in the script?
DGG: It was in the script and one of the funny aspects of that scene was our script supervisor, her first job was ‘Rambo III’, so we had a creative consultant there guiding us through some of the attributes of later in the franchise for the kids to know and put their spin on it. That was a fun sequence to film, and it was hard not to laugh every time because Ben had to play it seriously and it was hard for me and the kids not to crack up every time.
Director David Gordon Green on the set of ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: David, if you had to read a bedtime story to a child based on one of your movies, which one would it be?
DGG: That’s an interesting question because I’ve recently written a children’s book based on ‘Halloween’. That’s out now, and that was a very fun experiment because we were looking at that exact thing that you’re talking about and I thought that would be the one because it’s such a provocative, alluring thing for young readers and young minds. People talk about ‘Halloween’ and Michael Myers and my kids were always so curious about it, but I didn’t want to show them the movie, so I made the children’s book version of it for them. That would be a fun one. I would also do ‘Your Highness’. I think that would be a great one. Danny McBride and I have talked about that maybe it didn’t work financially or commercially as a big budget studio movie, but maybe as a strange, offbeat, animated show for kids would’ve been a better idea. I don’t know. Whenever we’re developing these projects, we’re thinking who is the audience? Sometimes, we say the audience is us and let’s see who joins the parade and other times, you want to engineer it specifically for old, young, male, female, or whatever. But that’s one of the cool things about a movie like ‘Nutcrackers’ is everyone’s invited. I wanted to make a movie that wasn’t necessarily engineered for kids, but I think kids are going to see a lot of themselves in it, crack themselves up and mom and dad are going to enjoy it just as much. ‘Your Highness’, in a weird way, I think one of our mistakes was making it R-rated because it was such silly obnoxiousness that I think if you would’ve been able to have nine-year-old’s go see that movie when it came out, and that might’ve triggered our own juvenile instincts a little differently.
The cast and crew of ‘Nutcrackers’ which premieres on Hulu November 29th. Photo: Hulu.
MF: Finally, David, what did you learn from making this movie and do you think it will change the way you make movies in the future?
DGG: What it did is it reinstated the confidence I have in my crew, the same crew that made ‘Nutcrackers’ made the ‘Halloween’ movies and the ‘Exorcist’ movie, and so we all needed a palate cleanser after having the experience of the pressure of a franchise on your shoulders. I have to say it’s nice to be making a movie in the shadows that I think people are going to love and I’m not worried about that. I also just love that we’re creating something new from the ground up that also has a nostalgic vibe to it, that feels familiar in a lot of ways to the movies I grew up on in the 80s. Everything I make triggers a lot of the child in me, and so whether that’s the allure of a Michael Myers or the silliness of a ‘Nutcrackers’, I just want to respond to my own inner 11-year-old. Whatever that kid in me is still saying with the possibilities of this industry is where I lean for the next film.
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What is the plot of ‘Nutcrackers’?
A workaholic, Mike (Ben Stiller) must travel to rural Ohio to look after his recently orphaned nephews.
Sarah Paulson in ‘Hold Your Breath’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
Premiering on Hulu from October 3rd, ‘Hold Your Breath’ represents the second film is as many months that focuses on a mother desperately trying to keep her children safe from an evil presence outside their home, even as not everyone completely believes that it’s true.
With Sarah Paulson offering a commanding central performance, the movie is sometimes a little too slow burn for its own good but has a convincing sense of dread.
Sarah Paulson in ‘Hold Your Breath’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
Though it was written before the pandemic, there’s a certain timeliness to ‘Hold Your Breath’s story of fears about something nasty from the outside getting into your home. And then there is the dual concept of motherhood as a driving survival instinct and the potential that the lurking threat is more a mental health issue than concrete evil, as explored recently in Halle Berry-starring horror thriller ‘Never Let Go’ (there is even a shared idea of attaching yourself by rope to your abode, though here it’s more a navigational aide).
‘Hold Your Breath’ tackles the character work in more accomplished fashion than ‘Never Let Go,’ though that’s primarily thanks to the efforts of writer and director Karrie Crouse and of star Sarah Paulson, who make her role more well-rounded than director Alexandre Aja’s effort.
Script and Direction
Ebon Moss-Bachrach in ‘Hold Your Breath’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
Karrie Crouse wrote the script and joins forces with creative partner/husband William Joines to jointly direct the new thriller.
If there’s a major issue with ‘Hold Your Breath,’ it’s that it really pushes the idea of the slow-burn thriller to such a degree that it feels like the gas is set to “low.” Long takes and sedate scenes do help to grow the dread levels, but the result is also a tone verging on frustrating, even with the odd shock dotted throughout. If you’re looking for a rollicking thriller with dynamic pacing, go elsewhere, but the movie still has plenty to offer.
Striking visuals –– achieved primarily with practical effects and some digital assistance, give the movie a claustrophobic, windswept quality, making the 1930s setting fully believable and helping the power the story, which carries its themes of mental health, paranoia and suspicion effectively.
Performances
Sarah Paulson is the standout here, but she is aided by the actors playing her daughters and a creepy turn from ‘The Bear’s Ebon Moss Bacharach.
Sarah Paulson as Margaret Bellum
Sarah Paulson in ‘Hold Your Breath’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
Paulson has been putting in excellent, awards-worthy performances for years, and while ‘Hold Your Breath’ seems unlikely to bother trophy lists outside of genre categories, it’s worth noting how committed and intense her portrayal of Margaret is.
She’s a woman facing the challenges of the man-made climate disaster of the 1930s, her family’s farm suffering the impact of howling dust storms and withering crops. Add to that the absence of her husband, away looking for work and the need to protect her daughters from the terror she suspects is swirling within the dust and you have a compelling central character whose anguish is both relatable and believable.
As the tension ratchets up, Paulson makes every turn work, and Margaret remains sympathetic even in the face of her increasing desperation.
Amiah Miller in ‘Hold Your Breath’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
A veteran of ‘War for the Planet of the Apes,’ Miller here has a slightly more thankless role than Paulson, playing the elder daughter largely called upon to worry about her younger sibling and act terrified at whatever is happening at any given moment. Still, she does well in the role, imbuing Rose with a real sense of burgeoning responsibility and making her fear understandable in the face of what happens to the family.
The younger Bellum daughter has more to her than Rose; as a Deaf girl (played well by Deaf actor Robbins), she’s even more at threat from the dangers lurking beyond the doors. Robbins combines a healthy amount of fear in the part with mastering some unfamiliar, period-specific sign language, and while she isn’t asked to do much than react for the majority of the running time, she handles the role with aplomb.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach Wallace Grady
Ebon Moss-Bachrach in ‘Hold Your Breath’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
The role of Grady, the mysterious man discovered by Margaret lurking in the Bellum farm’s barn and claiming to know her husband, is a solid one for Moss-Bacharach. It might not have the nuance of ‘The Bear’s Ritchie, but it offers him the chance to play a similarly conflicted character. Is he a threat? He certainly appears to be, yet he also seems to be able to heal both Rose’s breathing issues and the family’s slowly-starving cow.
Supporting cast
Around the central family and Wallace, there are a few notable performances, including Annaleigh Ashford as Esther Smith, Margaret’s sister-in-law who initially seems to be suffering delusions of her own and puts her family at risk. Ashford is suitably nervy in the role, playing well off of Paulson. Arron Shiver as Sheriff Bell is an upright and decent support as the local lawman, while the various other women of the tiny community are good at the mixture of busybody concern and suspicion that such period pieces often contain.
Final Thoughts
Sarah Paulson in ‘Hold Your Breath’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
It won’t push the needle much in terms of this year’s horror offerings, but the visuals are good enough that you do wish it had seen the inside of a theater instead of heading straight to streaming.
A powerful main performance and some excellent effects work make this one worth checking out.
‘Hold Your Breath’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.
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What is the plot of ‘Hold Your Breath’?
In 1930s Oklahoma, a young mother (Sarah Paulson ) haunted by the past becomes convinced that a mysterious presence in dust storms is threatening her family and takes extraordinary measures to protect them.
Who is in the cast of ‘Hold Your Breath’?
Sarah Paulson as Margaret Bellum
Amiah Miller as Rose Bellum
Annaleigh Ashford as Esther Smith
Alona Jane Robbins as Ollie Bellum
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Wallace Grady
Sarah Paulson in ‘Hold Your Breath’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
