Chloe Cherry – Cut To The Chase

Written & Directed By: Israel Pakzad

Cinematography: Tim Curtin

Editor: Maxine Pozzi-Garcia

Cast: Helena Howard, Zion Moreno, Bella Throne, Sophia Ali, Chloe Cherry, Chris Bauer, Jake Manley, Israel Broussard, Blaine Kern III

Amber and her friends visit Joshua Tree for a fun girls’ trip but face hostility from locals. As tensions escalate and Amber’s dark past surfaces, their rebellion ignites – turning their desert getaway into a jaw-dropping game of revenge.

I will admit the only reason I watch this film was for the female cast many of whom I remember from seeing other movies or TV shows and remember them being quite striking.

The first 20 minutes of this film seems to be girls being as sloppy and reprehensible as frat brother movies with dialogue that seems like it was for GIRLS TRIP or EUPHORIA.

This being a young female version, only then the film turns slightly to a sexual assault and trauma afterwards kind of drama. after seeming to Wade into the uncertainty of a music video-level boat party.

And just from the beginning alone, it seems to run a record for numbers of uses before the F word.

The film does offer plenty of eye candy and titillation that is not to be approved, but it seems at first no one has a non-revealing outfit. Then the film seeming to settle into the message that all men are evil.

One understands the message the film is trying to convey and what it’s trying to say, but it still leads to a film that feels very uncomfortable and after a while, get tired of what it is saying on it soap box as it gets to be the overwriting message that feels a bit much after a while, not unwelcome, not trying to discredit it, but maybe should’ve been a little more subtle.

Throughout the film, there is loads of exposition once they reach their destination. As then, that seems to be the only time they have any other opportunity to do it as the film tries to let the audience get to know the characters, even though essentially we only really get to know the lead.

It seems aimless than towards the third act. It finally seems to be trying to make a point of its own, even though it seems vague to match the mindset and mood confusing at first, as we aren’t sure if this is just all paranoia and all in the main characters head.

Lunar turned into a female, friendly revenge tale that while little obvious and over the top as well as extreme makes sense, even as the film leaves many loose ends

No one can see why it has an female audience thoughseeks to want to attract more of a male audience by Trojan horse, with skin in display and more a party hearty attitude,leaving you to think one waiting reveals what it believes and not to subtle away

Grade: C-

Written & Directed By: Alex Kugelman

Cinematography: Kevyn Delgado

Editor: Justin Williams

Cast: Matthew Sato, Will Sennett, Pell James, Olivia Rouyre, Fred Melamed, Chloe Cherry

A struggling writer befriends a powerful producer’s eccentric son.

This film plays more like a thriller version of SWIMMING WITH SHARKS. As it is more a detail of Hollywood insiders and trying to get ahead and have your dreams come true. no, it doesn’t play out in the board rooms. It plays out more on the party circuit and networking.

The film mostly works as a comedy and thriller at times. That by the end luckily everything comes together that might be left hanging in the first half of the film. though truthfully, it’s more comedy than horror as when it does decide to change its mood. It is quite sharp, not subtle. As the film tries to work as a satire until becoming a full on horror film towards the end.

If the film has any weakness, it might be and some of its characters, especially the lead who just comes across as way to clean cut for somebody who might not have been born in Hollywood, but has been in it long enough to know the culture and there’s nothing wrong with him not really being into drugs or alcohol as the film desperately wants us to show him challenging his morals and will he go down this dark path just to get his film made. Though they could’ve worked harder to make him more than every man and still be innocent.

Just as his relationship with his girlfriend or fiancé at first, I thought they were siblings notnromntically involved as throughout the film she’s disappointed and seems to have problems with him and at no point do they actually seem romantic or really have any chemistry?

It’s one of those films where you go with what is presented and you don’t really question too much as the film doesn’t really make you think either but you enjoy the ride you’re going on even if it’s familiar or you feel like you can predict what’s going to happen. It tries to offer a few surprises that aren’t really that big to a seasoned cinephile.

The works just enough to keep your interest so that you want to see the film through to the end even as it tries to be a little bit artistic and challenging towards the end it still comes off rather basic though one applaud the filmmaker for trying as the film still feels like a rough draft that needs a little bit more tightening.

Will Bennett give the films most entertaining and captivating performance throughout this film should definitely be a calling card for him

One doesn’t really want to pick on this film as obviously it’s low budget and a filmmaker work well with what they have and you can tell they are trying.

Grade: C

Tag: Chloe Cherry

FIND YOUR FRIENDS (2025)

DON’T TRIP (2026)