Set years after the blood-soaked events of 1997, the sequel plunges a fresh group of teens into a familiar nightmare. When a seemingly innocent accident spirals into a deadly cover-up, the ghosts of their past return with a vengeance.
As eerie echoes of the original massacre haunt Southport once again, Julie James (Hewitt) and Ray Bronson (Prinze Jr.) are forced out of hiding to confront a new killer — and protect the town that forgot what happened… but never should have.
With horror icon Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Do Revenge) directing and franchise producer Neal H. Moritz returning, this revival is set to thrill longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Don’t Miss It: Coming Soon to Philippine Cinemas
Get ready to scream in your seats! I Know What You Did Last Summer is slashing into Philippine cinemas very soon. Stay in the loop with updates from @columbiapicph and join the conversation using #IKnowWhatYouDidLastSummer.
Ready for a scream-worthy return? I Know What You Did Last Summer revives the fear, the thrills, and the secrets that refuse to stay buried.
There’s something epic about Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners,’ even though the entire story unfolds over just 24 hours in a single community in the Mississippi Delta in 1932. There’s a bigness to the way Coogler sets each scene and introduces to us each character that while the film may feel contained, the themes and the imagery goes way beyond the story’s premise of twin brothers who come back from Chicago to open a juke joint for the black community of their hometown. There is an exploration here of race, of freedom, of history, and of resistance. While the trailer may lead us to think this is a period vampire movie with two Michael B. Jordans (playing the aforementioned twins) but this is a Ryan Coogler movie. It’s a lot more layered than this.
The film begins with a flashforward, a shot of the finale, with Sammie arriving at the church where his father is a pastor, bloodied and dirty and carrying a broken guitar. His father takes him in the congregation and pleads for him to leave his life of sin: of alcohol, of sex, and of blues music. We then shift to the day before, when Sammie sees his cousins, Smoke and Stack (Jordan in a dual role), who have returned from Chicago to open a juke joint in a former sawmill owned by a racist white man.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
In one day, the twins recruits the members of their joint, which include musicians like Sammie and Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo), local Chinese merchants Grace and Bo (Lu Jun Li and Yao, respectively) for supplies, Cornbread (Omar Benson Miller) to act as bouncer, and Smoke’s estranged wife Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), who is also versed in the occult and knowledgeable in the supernatural.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
In one day, the twins recruits the members of their joint, which include musicians like Sammie and Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo), local Chinese merchants Grace and Bo (Lu Jun Li and Yao, respectively) for supplies, Cornbread (Omar Benson Miller) to act as bouncer, and Smoke’s estranged wife Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), who is also versed in the occult and knowledgeable in the supernatural.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
While the juke joint brings in the community to eat, drink, and sing and dance to the blues and jazz, a young woman from Smoke and Stack’s past joins the revelries, Mary (Hailee Steinfeld). With both brothers dealing with the strained relationships of their past, Mary and Annie, and Sammie trying to catch the attention of Pearline (Jayme Lawson), a married singer, trouble begins to brew as a vampire circles the sawmill, hoping to get an invite into the premises.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
You wouldn’t think, during the first hour, that this is a vampire movie. Except for a brief scene introducing the Irish vampire Remnick (Jack O’Connell), the first hour of the film is dead-set on building this vast world and its histories. Smoke and Stack are out in town bringing the people they need to make the juke joint work, and each encounter offers a world of stories that adds layers and depth to this film. Set during the era of the Ku Klux Klan, Prohibition, and blatant, racially charged oppression, ‘Sinners’ carves out a space of what freedom looks like for an oppressed people. And for the cotton-picking farmers of the Mississippi Delta, it’s drinking, dancing, and singing along to some good ol’ country blues that can set a spirit free.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
The symptoms of oppression hang heavy throughout the film but never overpower it, so it never feels preachy. Instead, it creates layers and textures such as the presence of the Chinese merchants, which is historically accurate, and the very colorful history of Steinfeld’s Mary, who also shares the same sort of roots her character has.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
By the time the vampires come and make their attack, the film has turned this fiction into something tangible and real; the stakes are high and true, and while the film can lean a bit too close to camp, there’s a gravitas to the whole proceeding that keeps it grounded and its footing secure.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Michael B. Jordan is excellent in the dual role of the twins, showing two sides of the same coin: the serious Smoke and the more carefree Stack. He’s a great anchor for the film’s hopes and dreams with an excellent counterpoint by Miles Caton’s Sammie whose own hopes and dreams are filled with idealism as compared to the cynicism of the twins. Delroy Lindo is always a joy to watch but the ones who steal the show here are Steinfeld and Mosaku. Both women have done their assignment and slide into any of their scenes and take the spotlight. Both women steal their scenes (hard to do with Jordan, Lindo, and Caton’s incredible singing) but Steinfeld and Mosaku are completely synched to Coogler’s vision that they make their screentime shimmer with energy.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Coogler uses the film’s mysticism to create extraordinary moments into the film which elevates his vampire movie into an allegory of black oppression and their unyielding desire for freedom. The success of the juke joint invaded by a white vampire is not just coincidental. The symbolism is just one of many that subtly makes ‘Sinners’ more than your usual popcorn fare.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
The gorgeous music of Ludwig Goransson and the crisp, powerful cinematography of Autumn Durald Arkapaw completes the set for this incredibly enjoyable film, especially if seen on IMAX.
And don’t forget to stay until the very end, as there is a mid-credit and end credit scene for full effect.
My Rating:
Sinners is now showing in cinemas. Check showtimes and buy your tickets here.
Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal Are Back in the High-Octane Sequel The Accountant 2
Get ready for heart-pounding tension, explosive stunts, and calculated chaos—The Accountant 2 is bringing the heat to cinemas this April 25! Reprising his role as elite number-cruncher and lethal tactician Christian Wolff, Ben Affleck returns alongside Jon Bernthal’s Brax in the long-awaited sequel to the 2016 hit.
A Grittier, More Intense Action Experience
Director Gavin O’Connor, back at the helm, teams up once again with director of photography Seamus McGarvey to deliver a visual style that’s raw and chaotic. “The difference is the action sequences, which have a kind of mayhem. That was exciting to play with.”
The mayhem isn’t just visual—it’s methodical. One of the film’s standout moments, a climactic gun battle, was choreographed with the help of tactical advisor and former Delta Force operator Tyler Grey. The result? Tension so thick, you can feel your pulse racing.
“Slow is Fast”: Real Combat Logic Fuels the Action
Affleck reveals a key insight from their tactical training: “One of the paradoxical things we learned was that slow is fast. In other words, you do a thing deliberately and with care and learn how to do it well, over and over again, and that will actually create speed and efficiency versus trying to rush. They call it kinetic action, and for people who have studied this, it has a logic. It lends itself to feeling more tense when it feels more real.”
This meticulous approach gave rise to what Affleck calls “kinetic action”—combat that’s not only fast-paced but grounded in realism, raising the emotional stakes.
Jon Bernthal: “It Was Badass—We Really Went for It”
Bernthal, who returns as the ruthless yet charismatic Brax, had high praise for the production’s commitment to authenticity. “This is the kind of action sequence that I love being part of because there’s a ticking clock the entire time,” Bernthal states. “Fern [Fernando ‘Fern’ Funan Chien] is one of my favorite stunt coordinators… We had the utmost commitment to safety on the set, but it was also badass and we really went for it. And we had Gavin’s eyes on us at all times, making sure things didn’t look too slick or choreographed. I would work with these guys on anything, anytime. They’re family to me.”
Powerful Women, Deadly Moves
It’s not just the brothers bringing the brawn. Returning cast member Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Marybeth Medina) and newcomer Daniella Pineda (Anaïs) throw down in a brutal, hand-to-hand combat sequence that took months of Muay Thai training.
“Training for this movie was super challenging but very rewarding. I’ve done other forms of martial arts and I’ve definitely done stunts and fight choreography, but nothing quite like this. I think it really drives home how ruthless this woman is,” said Pineda.
“Doing any fight scene does require a lot of trust between the actors,” Addai-Robinson adds. “You want it to be something that as punches land, the audience has a visceral response. You know you’ve done a solid job when it seamlessly fits into the story.”
Not Just an Action Flick
Beyond the bullets and brawls, director O’Connor emphasizes the film’s emotional layers. “‘The Accountant 2’ has a lot of action, but it’s not just an action film,” says director O’Conner. “There is drama, humor, fun, love, and the search for human connection. For me, it checks all the boxes and hopefully makes you feel something, which is something I am always trying to do when I make movies.” ll the boxes.”
The Plot: A Cryptic Clue and a Ruthless Conspiracy
When a mysterious murder leaves behind a message to “find the accountant,” Christian Wolff is drawn into a chilling conspiracy. Teaming up with his estranged brother Brax and U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina, they uncover a deadly web of secrets—and become the targets of a relentless network of killers.
Don’t Miss It: The Accountant 2 hits Philippine cinemas Friday, April 25. Check showtimes and buy your tickets here.
Filmmaker Dean DeBlois, the visionary behind DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, is ready to take audiences back to the skies. With a live-action twist and heartfelt nostalgia, DeBlois returns to the Isle of Berk, promising a thrilling new journey that blends epic storytelling with jaw-dropping realism.
“These characters and this universe have stayed with me, and now we can bring them back with such authenticity and conviction that, when audiences enter this world, they’ll never want to leave,” DeBlois says.
A Brave Boy, a Fearsome Dragon, and an Unexpected Friendship
At the core of this story is Hiccup (Mason Thames), a misfit Viking who defies his tribe’s legacy of dragon hunting. When he crosses paths with the elusive Night Fury, Toothless, an unbreakable bond forms—one that could change everything.
Together, they challenge centuries of fear and forge a path toward unity in a world threatened by darkness.
Watch the New Featurette Here:
Beyond Animation: A Richer, Wilder Berk
DeBlois and Emmy-winning producer Adam Siegel aimed to do more than recreate the animated saga—they expanded it.
“We wanted Berk to feel like a true crossroads of Viking culture,” Emmy-winning producer Adam Siegel says. “Through our research and Dean’s work on the animated franchise, we discovered that dragon myths exist in cultures all over the world. That gave us the chance to bring in influences from many traditions and make this world feel even more diverse and interconnected.”
This enriched tapestry brings new warriors, ancient myths, and stirring alliances to the forefront, showing that even the fiercest enemies can find common ground.
A Journey of the Heart
For DeBlois, the story of Hiccup and Toothless is timeless. “How to Train Your Dragon is about finding the courage to see beyond fear and convention. Hiccup’s journey shows us the power of questioning what we’re taught and embracing the possibility of something greater. He’s mocked, ridiculed and misunderstood, but he stays true to his convictions—and that’s what makes his story so universal.”
Through live-action, DeBlois leans into that emotional core, offering audiences an even more immersive experience of love, courage, and discovery.
With cutting-edge visual effects, beloved characters, and a story that spans generations, this new How to Train Your Dragon is both a nostalgic return and a breathtaking reinvention.
Something ominous is coming… and it starts with a single classroom.
New Line Cinema and Zach Cregger—the wholly original filmmaker who gave audiences the wildly unnerving Barbarian—have just dropped the bone-chilling teaser trailer for Weapons, an all-new horror-thriller set to haunt theaters nationwide on August 8, 2025.
What Happens When a Whole Class Vanishes?
When every child from a single classroom mysteriously disappears at the exact same moment—except one—the small community is left paralyzed by fear and scrambling for answers. What happened? Who—or what—is behind the unexplained event? As paranoia spreads, terrifying secrets begin to surface.
Behind the camera, Cregger assembles a masterful team including: Larkin Seiple (Director of Photography), Tom Hammock (Production Designer), Joe Murphy (Editor), Trish Sommerville (Costume Designer), Music by Ryan Holladay, Hays Holladay, and Zach Cregger.
Horror That Hits Different
From the same studio that’s brought genre-defining scares to the big screen, Weapons is poised to follow in the blood-soaked footsteps of Barbarian, blending mystery, suspense, and psychological terror in a bold, unnerving package.
“Weapons” is a Subconscious/Vertigo Entertainment/Boulderlight Pictures production and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Catch it only in cinemas and IMAX nationwide on August 8, 2025, with international release dates rolling out through the month.
Follow #WeaponsMovie for more updates as the nightmare unfolds.
Ryan Coogler, the acclaimed director of Creed and Black Panther, returns to cinemas with his most soul-stirring project yet — Sinners. Opening exclusively in Philippine theaters this Saturday, April 19, the genre-defying film stars Michael B. Jordan in a mesmerizing dual role that’s already capturing critics and audiences alike.
And with a 99% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear that Sinners is striking a chord.
A Story That Haunts and Holds You
At the core of Sinners lies a chilling narrative: twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, return to their hometown in search of redemption after a life of chaos. But what greets them isn’t peace — it’s an ancient, malevolent force that knows exactly how to lure them back in.
“This movie is so many things,” shares Jordan, reflecting on his fifth collaboration with Coogler. “It has so many layers to it. I want people to take away everything that we intended to shoot and make and create. It’s a fun experience.”
“I want them to have fun, but I also want them to think as well. On the ride home, or in the shower, or at home with their family, I want them to still be thinking about the movie and the characters, and spark conversations. That’s what I love about movies – they just make people think differently and get to know things, spaces and places that they might not have been in contact with before. But also, to have fun being a little scared. I really want them to enjoy the music… I want people to feel the musical element in their bones.”
Watch the trailer here:
The Power of Shared Fear and Cinematic Joy
For Coogler, Sinners is more than a film — it’s a full-body, communal experience.
“while sitting in a darkened room, full of strangers, and being absolutely terrified by something that was happening on the screen,” shares the critically acclaimed writer-director of films including “Creed” and “Black Panther.” “That feeling of being with others, the unison, the horror and delight made me feel like home. That’s where it began for me…”
In the spirit of that shared experience, the film boasts a soundscape and score that practically pulses through your chest. “The music is a character in this movie,” Jordan adds. “You feel it. It gets under your skin.”
Critics Are Calling It a Masterpiece
From terrifying to transcendent, Sinners has critics raving:
The Hollywood Reporter: “Sinners” is “smart horror, even poetic at times, with much to say about race and spiritual freedom… It’s also an exactingly crafted movie that demands to be seen on the biggest possible screen, with the loudest sound system.”
IndieWire: “Ryan Coogler’s best movie so far is a bloody, bluesy, and throbbingly fun vampire saga,”
Deadline Hollywood: “‘Sinners’ marks another strong reason why Coogler is at the top of his generation of filmmakers, and Jordan continues to show why he is a real-deal movie star.”
See It Big. See It Loud.
“‘Sinners’ is my love letter to all of the things that I love about going to the movies, as a cinephile, especially watching films with an audience,” says Coogler. “It’s the communal experience – and this movie was made to be seen with a crowd of people you don’t know.”
Don’t miss Sinners when it opens only in cinemas this Saturday, April 19. Bring your friends, grab your seat, and prepare for a ride you’ll be thinking about long after the credits roll.
What started as a routine press tour turned into a twisted timeloop of terrors for the cast of Until Dawn. During their visit to WonderCon 2025, the stars thought they were in for a day of fan meet-and-greets and media interviews. What they didn’t expect? A relentless barrage of jumpscares designed to test their scream stamina—live and unscripted.
Despite the gags and giggles, Until Dawn is a gripping tale of survival. Ella Rubin, who plays Clover, describes her experience as exhilarating:
“Until Dawn gave me the opportunity to keep pushing, rather than pulling back. That was exciting and kind of delicious. There’s no way to rein it in when your character is constantly in a life and death situation, and you’re literally being chased by a monster with an axe!”
Michael Cimino, portraying Clover’s ex, Max, adds a layer of depth to the horror:
“I love that every character, after each night, is changing a bit and revealing more of themselves. Every character is on an admittedly scary path of self-discovery,”
Ji-young Yoo, as Megan, offers a spiritual slant:
“Megan is a strong believer in the supernatural. She thinks that the trip is going to help them all lock into some kind of energy from the missing Melanie. That will help them all close out this chapter in their lives.”
And Belmont Cameli? He’s more the outsider in the group, playing the snarky but observant Abe:
“Abe is definitely on the group’s periphery,” says Cameli, who takes on the role. “He’s also a bit of a know-it-all and smartass. I also enjoyed that Abe is on the outside of this inner circle of friends and playing that dynamic with the rest of the cast.”
At the Heart of It All: Friendship and Fear
At the center of this nightmarish narrative is Clover. Writer Gary Dauberman shares,
“Clover is the anchor of the movie. She’s the reason the friends come together and undertake this journey. They rally around Clover and want to give her closure to the disappearance of her sister, in the hopes of finding their friend, again,”
Don’t Miss the Scares—Or the Screams
Will this group survive the longest, scariest night of their lives? Or will the darkness swallow them whole? Find out when Until Dawn premieres in Philippine cinemas this Friday, April 25.
Keep up with the fear and fun by following #UntilDawnMovie and @columbiapicph.
There’s something about the trailer of ‘The Amateur’ that leads us to expect something that’s thrilling and action-packed; like a glossier cousin of the Bourne franchise. The premise of a genius CIA cryptographer who goes rogue to find the killers of his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), on a quest for vengeance gives us ‘John Wick’ vibes but with gadgets and technology. So, it’s kind of jarring to sit in the theater and watch as the film takes an interesting approach by focusing the drama on whether protagonist Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) can bring it upon himself to kill. All the exciting gadget-centered traps seen in the trailer are not really what’s on the spotlight but whether a brilliant and rational computer geek can become a cold-blooded killer.
At the start, the film takes pains to show us how much Charlie is rather insulated from the world. He lives in a beautiful, lavish cottage filled with lush greenery, which tells us he doesn’t live in the city but away from it. His wife, Sarah, travels a lot and is always inviting him to come along but he doesn’t. Always finds an excuse, work-related mostly, it seems. As a CIA codebreaker, Charlie is sent some top-secret files from an anonymous informant that implicates his boss in something politically disastrous but this is pushed aside when he is told that his wife has been killed in a violent event that led to her being taken hostage and then killed.
Image Source: 20th Century Studios
Consumed by her loss, Charlie uses the secret files to blackmail his bosses to give him field training so that he can chase after his wife’s killers and take vengeance. But his bosses at the CIA are not happy that he has the files and that they are being blackmailed and are also attempting to take him out of the equation.
Image Source: 20th Century Studios
So, Charlie must get what he needs from the CIA before they take him out while chasing after some cold-blooded killers who are way more experienced than he is.
On paper, it sounds exciting. I bet the book that it’s based on, the 1981 novel by Robert Littell with the same name, is probably exciting. The book being released in 1981, it’s probably a lot more low-fi than this version which uses hi-tech traps for Charlie to exact his vengeance, as guns are not his specialty. As his trainer (Laurence Fishburne) tells him at some point, he uses these elaborate set-ups because he’s afraid to get his hands dirty, which makes an interesting thesis.
Image Source: 20th Century Studios
Rather than focusing on how Charlie sets up and pulls off his traps, the film takes several digressions to show visions of Sarah intruding into his daily life and memories of her. The film spends a whole hour preparing Charlie to go after his wife’s killers. Throughout this first half, it shows us how brilliant Charlie is but also how pulling a trigger is harder than it looks. Then the next half has his trying to execute his plans and him dealing with the repercussions of his actions. Director James Hawes and screenwriter Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli give Charlie as much time to unfurl at a club after he makes his first kill.
It’s these scenes, which paints Charlie as a complex person growing into his new vigilante persona, that slows down the whole film. The dramatic, character-driven parts are not in synch with the aspects of the film that falls under the spy action-thriller tone. It’s not as cohesive as, let’s say, ‘Collateral’ or the dense and cerebral film ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.’
Image Source: 20th Century Studios PH FB Page
Malek is a ball of nerves as Charlie. He has the same affectations as his character in ‘Mr. Robot’ but he’s allowed to be human here as Charlie is not a sociopath (or is his character in Mr. Robot on the spectrum?). He handles the dramatic parts well and how his character subtly builds his confidence after every strike. The changes are subtle but clear. The ones who steal the show though are Laurence Fishburne’s Henderson and Jon Bernthal’s small role as a spy in the CIA who Charlie has admiration for. As Henderson, Fishburne exudes an “I’ve-seen-it-all” attitude and carries himself with such an air of confidence that it makes Henderson so scary while he’s being warm and nurturing to Charlie. It’s an interesting role that Fishburne knows exactly how to elevate. Bernthal, on the other hand, has two or three scenes but he has a screen presence that fits his role so well and creates a wonderful counterpoint for Charlie. His appearance on the latter half of the film leaves such a great impact as we see Charlie facing off with the person, he admires the most.
While polished and well-crafted, ‘The Amateur’ is a different movie than what it appears to be. As a spy thriller, it short-cuts the things we want to see. As a character-study of a man who is reconciling turning into a vigilante, it does not go deep enough to have anything clear to say about the moral quandary of taking justice into your own hands. It has the makings of a sequel and hopefully, they’ll fine tune the general tone and figure out its identity.
My Rating:
The Amateur is now showing in cinemas! Catch it on the big screen—check showtimes and get your tickets here!
What if meeting an angel meant opening the door to something much darker? The trailer for Bring Her Back has just dropped—and it’s every bit as haunting as you’d expect from Danny and Michael Philippou, the visionary directors behind the critically acclaimed Talk to Me.
A Sinister Ritual and a Family on the Brink
Bring Her Back follows a brother and sister—played by rising stars Billy Barratt and Sora Wong—as they arrive at the eerie, isolated home of their new foster mother. What begins as a hopeful new beginning spirals into terror when they uncover an ancient ritual and a malevolent force that claims to be something divine.
Also starring Jonah Wren Phillips and Oscar-nominee Sally Hawkins, this chilling tale promises raw emotion, atmospheric dread, and psychological twists that will haunt you long after the credits roll.
Watch the Official Trailer Now
Experience the dread for yourself. Watch the trailer for Bring Her Back:
From A24 Darlings to Horror Heavyweights
Known for pushing the boundaries of supernatural horror, the Philippou brothers have made a name for themselves by exploring the emotional weight behind terror. Bring Her Back is no exception—delving into themes of grief, trauma, and the desperate desire to believe in something beyond death.
With their unique storytelling flair and signature visual style, the filmmakers aim to redefine possession horror once again.
Prepare to be enchanted as A24’s latest fantasy adventure, The Legend of Ochi, arrives in Philippine cinemas on April 25, 2025. Brought to you by Creazion Studios, this captivating tale promises to whisk audiences away to a world brimming with wonder and heartfelt storytelling.
A Tale of Friendship and Discovery
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains, the film follows Yuri, a shy farm girl portrayed by Helena Zengel. Raised in a remote village where the elusive creatures known as Ochi are both feared and revered, Yuri’s life takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles upon a wounded baby Ochi. Determined to reunite the creature with its family, Yuri embarks on an adventure that will challenge her perceptions and courage.
In an era dominated by CGI, the film takes a refreshing approach by utilizing animatronic puppetry to bring the Ochi creatures to life. This commitment to practical effects lends authenticity and charm to the viewing experience, reminiscent of beloved ’80s classics like The NeverEnding Story and The Dark Crystal.
Critical Acclaim and Anticipation
Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, The Legend of Ochi has garnered positive reviews for its imaginative storytelling and visual artistry. Critics have praised its ability to evoke a sense of wonder, making it a must-watch for audiences of all ages.
Save the Date
Mark your calendars for April 25, 2025, and get ready to experience a heartwarming journey that celebrates friendship, bravery, and the magic of discovery. The Legend of Ochi is set to be a cinematic highlight you won’t want to miss.
