Cody Young

***“Donavan has been here for SIX months, and I’ve been here for SEVEN years.” -Linda Liddle*** I wish i didn’t know the plot and that this was a Raimi movie because it seems so normal till the plane scene where the tone shifts to straight up horror, that would’ve been a blast not knowing it was gonna happen, but it still rocks even knowing it was coming.  This movie is like a sick and twisted survival RomCom with horror elements sprinkled in till the end when it’s just a straight up slasher brawl. The actual ending kinda just pumps the break and it’s a year later which felt a little off but besides that the pacing is amazing. I loved the dynamic flip leading to the corruption of power on Linda creating a bigger monster than Dylan Obriens character, and we see Dylan’s character become a bigger douche who can become a beast a do some terrible things. Just two people who become horrible when given the chance just like *The Shining (1980).* Rachel McAdams is great and unhinged playing a genuine psychopath brilliantly, but Dylan Obrien is sublime the Rat scene especially is absolutely immaculate I didn’t know he was capable of pulling off such a performance since I haven’t seen him in much.  This films so funny because why are they trying to convince me Rachel McAdams is ugly, I don’t care what the makeup department does she’ll always be gorgeous.  My biggest complaint is the cgi it looks off at times like the boar to be specific but overall I have almost no complaints great film with great direction, had an absolute blast. Just like every Raimi film I’ve seen this rocks. [2026 Ranked](https://boxd.it/Sg0XG)

***“Sorry about that. That's the old Bowser talking.” - Bowser*** This was very enjoyable like the first but it’s got more world building and Nintendo game references.  The plots funny because it’s just Bowser Jr. trying to get Bowser and complete his Death Star using Rosalina as kyber crystal fuel.  Speaking of which is kinda my biggest gripe of this movie is that Rosalina is just the films MacGuffin. She was cool and interesting but she was trapped for almost the whole movie.  Loved the teams, Peach and Toad and then Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi. They all have fun dynamics and when they collide together about halfway through Toad gets sidelined while Luigi and Yoshi slightly get pushed to the background, they also add Fox McCloud who’s cool as hell but he’s not doing much throughout the film he’s kinda like a glorified cameo to set up a Starfox spinoff which I’m fine with since it’s not his film.  Bowser kinda gets a redemption arc and then learns that he’s wrong and should be evil with his son which I’m glad that happened it’s the Mario franchise and I don’t want Bowsers redemption in the second film.  The cast is great absolutely love Charlie Day as Luigi and I need a Luigi’s mansion spinoff or something because it’d be so good. And Donald Glovers Yoshi is insane you’d never guess it’s him he became Yoshi in the recording booth. The rest of the cast is still so good to me. I love Keegan Michael Key as Toad too but like every character in this film is a GOAT.  The Mario Odyssey and Maker references were awesome to me since I loved those games. Also the ROB and Mr. Game and Watch Easter eggs were goated. I need the Smash Bros film right now. Also the 8 and 16 bit segments were visually so cool.  I feel like I’m forgetting something but it was a good time for someone who loves Nintendo. And so I’m pretty biased giving it an extra half a star but I don’t care. [2026 Ranked](https://boxd.it/Sg0XG)