Nikki Davis

‘Bones and All’ is Exquisitely Disturbing & Painfully Sweet

Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation maps out a surreal, menacing love story that’s difficult to look away from. Sometimes, I’ll come out of a horror movie and tell my friends, “Fair warning, this one’s not for the faint of heart.” I’m mostly talking about…

‘Suspiria’ is My New Favorite Nightmare

Dario Argento’s visual stunner is a fever dream of shocks, melodrama, and sensory overload. For the month of October, I’ll be watching and reviewing classic horror movies that I somehow never made it around to seeing. Bring on your commentary in the…

‘The Wicker Man’ is Bizarre, Bawdy, and Bleak

Robin Hardy’s 1973 film is a study in incremental horror and the blunt force of unflinching belief. For the month of October, I’ll be watching and reviewing 8 classic horror movies that I somehow never made it around to seeing. Bring on your…

‘Videodrome’ Pinpoints the Technophilic Masochist in Us All

For the month of October, I’ll be watching and reviewing 8 classic horror movies that I somehow never made it around to seeing. Bring on your commentary in the comments — and happy Halloween! Movies that anchor themselves around specific technologies…

‘Deliverance’ Exacts Revenge on Man’s Entitlement to Nature

John Boorman’s 1972 adaptation is a technically exceptional backwoods nightmare. For the month of October, I’ll be watching and reviewing 8 classic horror movies that I somehow never made it around to seeing. Bring on your commentary in the comments…

‘The Bride of Frankenstein’ is a Gorgeous & Depressing Tale of Objectification

James Whale’s iconic sequel reaches near parody-level storytelling featuring female terror at the whims of the male ego. For the month of October, I’ll be watching and reviewing 8 classic horror movies that I somehow never made it around to seeing.…

‘The Thing’ Remains a Wild Testament to Practical Effects in Horror

John Carpenter’s 1982 remake is visceral, uncomfortable, and masterfully shot. For the month of October, I’ll be watching and reviewing 8 classic horror movies that I somehow never made it around to seeing. Bring on your commentary in the comments —…

‘Smile’ Expertly Borrows Tropes and Weaponizes Trauma

There may be (mostly) nothing new under the sun when it comes to post-2000 horror movies, but that doesn't mean that the old stuff can’t scare you anew when you cast a differently-angled light on it. Smile is one of those movies. I saw most of the…

‘Moonage Daydream,’ Like Bowie, Defies Definition

“As you get older, the questions come down to about two or three. How long? And what do I do with the time I’ve got left?” — David Bowie

‘Barbarian’ Doesn’t Meet Expectations — It Beats Them

Barbarian didn’t immediately grab my attention on paper, but its trailer sure did. Specifically, I loved the reaction it got from the audience. It wasn’t just the bleak setup of Woman Willingly Stays in House with Strange Guy, though that did earn a…

‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ is Already Sick of Itself

A24’s latest is an exasperating, blunt-force whodunnit that leaves subtlety in the dust. Satire is dead, and you and I both know it was a group effort. We gave our views, reads, and likes to the headlines that boasted only the nastiest of spectacles;…

Lessons from Paul McCartney on Managing a Legacy

Or, How to Be a Founding Father of Pop Culture 101. That was the first thing that flew into my brain while I watched Sir Paul McCartney take the stage in Knoxville last month. Eighteen rows back from the stage, I was smack in the middle of the rising…

‘Men’ is a Metaphor-Ridden Nightmare

A24’s latest is both far too real and way, way out in left field. Usually, I walk out of my first-viewing of a movie with a distinct train of thought buzzing along with my sugar high: a solid handle on what it was trying to say vs. what it actually…

‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ is Absurdly Stunning

Daniels’ multiversal romp mines majesty out of our collective mess. When I was seven, I wanted to be a painter. Later, while accidentally recording skits over my mom’s bootleg cassette of The Big Chill soundtrack, I decided I should be on the radio.…

‘Fresh’ is a Disgustingly Sleek Debut Feature Film

FYI: This review contains mild spoilers. Whenever I’m on a date and the conversation turns to dating apps, the question that comes up without fail is, “So what’s the worst date you’ve ever been on? Any horror stories?” Fortunately, my answers to this…

‘Scream’ Effortlessly Slays the Sequel Game

In the late Wes Craven’s absence, a new chapter puts horror fans in their proper place: feeling bizarrely, delightedly understood. Nikki Davis 5 hours ago·7 min read FYI: This review contains mild, trailer-level spoilers. I love horror movies for the…

‘The Matrix Resurrections’ is So Meta It Almost Hurts

Lana Wachowski’s sneak-attack sequel is fascinating, uncomfortable, and deliciously subversive. · 8 min read FYI: This review contains spoilers. You can stream The Matrix Resurrections now on HBOMax. From time to time, I’m re-amazed all over again at…

Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’ is a Technical & Visual Triumph

His grand adaptation feels both fresh and faithful to the spirit of the Broadway production · 6 min read Romeo and Juliet isn’t high on my list of favorite Shakespeare works. His language has always been delightful, but this story in its simplest…

‘House of Gucci’ is an Immensely Entertaining Hot Mess

Although it falters in tone and precision, Ridley Scott’s latest is an addictive, over-the-top drama that engages where it counts. · 5 min read In my head, I have a very specific visual definition of “camp.” Camp is Tim Curry leering at the camera…

The Magnificent Dread of ‘Spencer’

Pablo Larraín’s fable may not be classified as horror, but it unfolds that way — under a gorgeous torrent of discomfort. · 6 min read About a week before I turned 9, my mom suddenly started watching coverage of Princess Diana’s death like it was her…