What I'm Watching

It's so difficult to sum up The Haunting of Hill House in a short review, but the main thing I want to say is that you HAVE to watch it. The viewer follows one family over two separate timelines, one in the 'haunted' house itself and one many years later, exploring how they have all been affected by what happened there. The show deals with issues like mental health, suicide and addiction and perfectly blends a compelling family drama with an incredible and terrifying horror. The scares are effective and shocking but the true genius is the way that it shows the reality and heart behind all the jump scares. The plot is excellent, making the audience wait until the very end to piece everything together. There is so much detail and thought put into every single shot that it really is a work of art. I was gripped from beginning to end and was left emotional but amazed. And now I just want to watch it all over again!

Jane the Virgin is probably my favourite TV show of all time, which is saying something because I have such a love of thriller. It may seem like your average sitcom but it masterfully blends several genres including telenovela, drama, romance and satire. It tells the hilarious story of a Catholic virgin in her twenties who is accidentally inseminated and the drama that ensues. It is a witty and clever show that includes so many different people from all backgrounds that I think anyone could find someone they relate to. It brilliantly represents authentic, realistic relationships and people and what they go through. I would recommend this to anyone as a fun, easy-to-watch comedy-drama with some real depth and meaning.

Black Mirror is an anthology science fiction television series that explores modern society and technology. Each episode is something completely new that addresses social and cultural issues through gripping storylines and interesting settings and worlds. It is very hard to describe because every episode is so different but I would recommend it to absolutely everyone because it is so excellently executed. Every episode is filled with fantastic acting and cinematography and leaves you questioning everything. The storylines are unique and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.

The Handmaid's Tale is an American dystopian drama television series based on the book by Margaret Attwood. It is difficult to say that I enjoy this show because I have never come away from it feeling good about anything I have seen! It is very dark and there is a constant sense of foreboding and fear however if you like thrillers and dystopian narratives I would definitely recommend it. The world that is crafted is horrific, violent and tragic but cleverly manages not to stray too far from the world we know, making it even more terrifying. It is an amazing show with incredible acting and storytelling. If you are a regular binge-watcher this could be a welcome change as you might not want to face more than an hour at a time!

Halloween 2018 is the latest edition to the much-loved franchise and has been highly anticipated by followers of the series and horror fans in general. It has a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, however I unfortunately can't say I agree with it. The first hour of the film at least was rather pointless and didn't make any effort to build tension. When the action did eventually kick in, it still didn't provide the big scares I was hoping for. I found the big climax quite boring and thought the ending felt rushed and unfinished. I would recommend the film to Halloween fans as many people obviously did enjoy the film. But to casual horror fans, there are much better ones out there!

The Sinner is a crime drama mystery series on Netflix. It consists of two series, linked only by the detective working on the two cases. The show gives you very little information, painstakingly making you wait until the end to see the full picture. In the first series all we know is that the main character has killed a man on the beach but she has no recollection of why. This is a really interesting take on the classic whodunnit as we follow the detective trying to figure out what has happened in her past to lead her to commit such a crime. I was completely gripped by the complex storylines and the incredible acting. If you are a fan of crime dramas and a good mystery this is a must-see!

The Nun is the latest instalment in the Conjuring Universe, serving as a prequel to all previous films and set in 1952 in Romania. It has received a 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes which I actually think is quite harsh. The Nun isn't going to go down in horror history but if you're after a film packed with jump scares to watch with your mates then this is actually pretty spot on.

Lady Bird is a coming-of-age comedy drama starring Saoirse Ronan. It focuses heavily on Ronan's character's relationship with her mother as well as growing up, falling in love and navigating friendships. It has been nominated for countless awards and won two Golden Globes for Best Actress and Best Motion Picture. It has a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes which I completely agree with. I absolutely loved this film, it was bittersweet and emotional but also hilarious. It dealt with the issues in such a real and grounded way and was acted superbly. I actually went to the cinema to see this with my own mum which was a really lovely experience especially as I was about to move away to university myself just like Lady Bird. I have loved and admired Saoirse Ronan for many years now and I think this film was just perfect for her. Lady Bird is a complex, interesting, cheeky, flawed but loveable character and she really brought her to life. This film will stay with me for many years to come and I would recommend it to everyone to go and watch it with a loved one.