HAG (2025)

Written & Directed By: Sam Wineman 

Cinematography: Trevor A. Brown 

Editor: David Trevail 

Cast: Ryan De Villiers, Jane De Wet, Matthew Vey, Anja Taljaard, Adore Delano, Darron Meyer, Frances Sholto-Douglas, Magna Ngaiza 

After a decade apart, Rowan rents his spare room to Mag – a self-proclaimed “hag”- whose obsession with him grows into a life-or-death showdown.


Now with the title like this, it could’ve easily been a tale of a witch which in her own way, the main character is, but it’s also an out of date politically incorrect term for usually a friend, a female friend or a female, who is obsessed with gay men which this film ends up being about as a kind of updated version of SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, only with a cisgender Caucasian female obsessed with a gay white man and Moore trying to be their ultimate partner, not necessarily their identity

Which is strange as it seems like her character tends to take over identities and those are her victims but here it’s a bit different as she generally seems to want to be a part of this man’s life, but wants no one else in there. So you start to wonder what is the ultimate plan that she has at least in this instance especially as it’s modern and everyone seems to have a cell phone it would be so easy to expose her even if she chooses to keep changing her identity I know I know too much thinking going on watching this film, but that show shows you how less of a distraction this film was.

In the film definitely has its audience as it has a cis gendered straight white woman as a villain. 

Have to say that it leaves the audience  disappointed by this movie. as it’s not as Campy or much fun as expected. It’s a little out there, but it also feels like it plays it safe kind of like a risqué lifetime thriller that is desperately trying to be hip and isn’t working. There is nonteal exploitation to try and make it titilating.

As the directing lacks the flair of what could’ve been especially when you have a willing cast and a script that goes but so far but seems to stop short, quite a few times when it could keep going in an building

The film is ultimately OK as long as you don’t take it too seriously

This is also another to be original that is filmed in South Africa in Maine to look like Los Angeles. It does a possible enough job, except for when you see the actor’s real names it kind of gives it away as an overseas production.

This is the first disappointing, modern Tubi channel original thriller/horror film. can say it’s uninspired, but was looking for it to be a little more wild and exciting.

Grade: C-

TAKEOUT (2025)

Written & Directed By: Jem Garrard

Cinematography: Trevor Michael Brown

Editor: David Trevail

Cast: N’Kone Mametja, Deoudone Pretorius, Daniel Janks, Darron Meyer, Damien Wantenaar, Robyn Scott, Nikita Faber, Gia Capouya 

Three coworkers on the night shift at a remote diner get in over their heads after digging for proof that one of their customers is a serial killer.

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This little thriller takes the audience by surprise. It’s not the first one of its type that I’ve seen and in all honesty it could’ve been a little shorter considering it takes place, mainly in one location and doesn’t have as many characters as these types of films usually do. 

as usually in these little tight, one location, thrillers, they up the body count to keep the audience entertained whereas here the film has its fair share of kills, but at least most of them mean something and other words they get a reaction from the audience as we have grown to know some of them 

Even though the film is a who done it and manages to surprise, there are some predictable moments throughout the film. It’s not like a stage play, even though it takes place in one location as the film, moron, action, and thrills more than necessarily dialogue. 

The one has to hand it to the cast, as all of their all of the characters are interesting even if it at times is more darkly comedic they are all believable and most of all credit must be given to the cast and crew as this film seems like it takes place in the Midwest or middle America and in actuality it was filmed in South Africa. 

The film might not be something totally new. It does manage to work well with what it has. It’s not the sharpest, but it stays entertaining and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. 

It stays inventive throughout to keep you guessing and provide maximum entertainment. While it works with the limited resources that it has. 

Grade: B-