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Maria Lattila
Tomatometer-approved critic
Maria is a London-based freelance journalist and a staff writer for Whynow. Her interests include horror, musicals, gender and feminism, not necessarily in that order.
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Saltburn (2023) |
As a trashy, sexy thriller, Saltburn is superb, but if you’re after something a little more substantial, this isn’t it. - Film Stories
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| Posted Nov 15, 2023
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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) |
Surprisingly, The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes only improves on the films that came before it. It’s such a satisfying prequel and one of the best villain origin stories we’ve seen lately. - Film Stories
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| Posted Nov 15, 2023
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Anatomy of a Fall (2023) |
Triet’s filmmaking is precise, but the real tension comes from the gender and marital dynamics. While I wish that we saw more of them rather than simply speculated, Anatomy Of A Fall is a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking drama. - Film Stories
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| Posted Nov 08, 2023
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Bottoms (2023) |
There is much to enjoy with Bottoms. There’s a distinct sense that it could have pushed harder, gone further with its jokes, but thanks to a charming cast, Seligman’s sophomore film is a winner. - Film Stories
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| Posted Nov 08, 2023
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Suitable Flesh (2023) |
Well, Joe Lynch’s Suitable Flesh feels like a major “Screw you!” to those who wish to eradicate sex on screen. Lynch’s film is unapologetically horny, erotic and sex-positive and all the better for it. - Film Stories
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| Posted Oct 27, 2023
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Cat Person (2023) |
Cat Person is a masterclass in awkwardness and Fogel revels in making her audience squirm, but these elements alone don’t make a great film. The message gets lost halfway through and the entire thing falls down like a house of cards. - Film Stories
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| Posted Oct 27, 2023
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Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) |
It’s an uninspired adaptation, afraid to break free from its source material but also unable to translate what makes the game compelling into cinematic form. - Film Stories
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| Posted Oct 25, 2023
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The Book of Clarence (2023) |
The Book Of Clarence, with all its flaws, is still another fascinating entry into Samuel’s filmography. His storytelling is less arduous here than in The Harder They Fall and although the film doesn’t always soar, when it does… it soars high. - Film Stories
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| Posted Oct 12, 2023
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Chasing Chasing Amy (2023) |
Despite its flaws, Chasing Chasing Amy comes closest to any modern documentary to actually solve the problem of, or at least offer something meaningful to the conversation about, whether or not it’s appropriate to like something deeply problematic. - Film Stories
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| Posted Oct 05, 2023
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The Exorcist: Believer (2023) |
It’s not impossible to make a good or a great sequel to The Exorcist. It’s just very hard – and as it stands, no one has managed it yet. The Exorcist: Believer is nowhere near as bad as Exorcist II: The Heretic, but we deserve better in this day and age. - Film Stories
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| Posted Oct 05, 2023
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Fair Play (2023) |
Fair Play is a tantalising, seductive drama that never aims to be blatantly feminist, but a film with a more broad appeal – and that is a compliment. - Film Stories
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| Posted Oct 02, 2023
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Priscilla (2023) |
Priscilla is another strong Coppola film, perhaps even one of her best. It’s visually stunning and so acutely aching in its exploration of first love. - Film Stories
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| Posted Oct 02, 2023
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Saw X (2023) |
It probably won’t convert you into a hardcore Saw fan, but for existing fans, it offers a fresh new angle and focus while also delivering on the series’ trademark gore and torment. At least, Saw X is proudly a Saw film, through and through. - Film Stories
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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Strange Way of Life (2023) |
There is so much to love here, from the immaculate cinematography and score to the nuanced performances, but when measured against Almodóvar’s larger body of work, Strange Way of Life falls short of expectations. - Film Stories
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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The Lesson (2023) |
Despite an intriguing first half, The Lesson can’t quite keep up with its own ambitions. There’s much to admire here – namely the performances – but the ending leaves you wanting more. Make of that what you will. - Film Stories
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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Cassandro (2023) |
Williams’ transition from documentaries to narrative fiction isn’t quite the triumph you’d hope, but Cassandro remains an entertaining sports film, if one carried on the weight of Gael García Bernal’s performance. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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Brother (2022) |
While some of its narrative threads feel overly familiar, the end result resembles a knitted blanket: warm, comfortable and thoroughly connected. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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Otto Baxter: Not a Fucking Horror Story (2023) |
Otto Baxter: Not A F***ing Horror Story has a lot of love for the art and craft of filmmaking, but it’s Otto’s resilience and artistic flair that really make this documentary fly. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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And Then Come the Nightjars (2023) |
Although it can’t escape the pure stage-yness of the setup, with two great central performances, And Then Come The Nightjars is thoroughly nice. In this day and age, that’s a rare treat. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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Sound of Freedom (2022) |
As it turns out, Sound of Freedom is all bark, but it has no bite. Despite raising awareness on a difficult, but important subject matter, Sound of Freedom becomes a victim of its own lack of ambition. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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Raging Grace (2023) |
Zarcilla skillfully uses familiar horror tropes to tell a powerful story. It might not be as straightforward a horror as many would hope, but Raging Grace packs a mighty punch and the horrors it does showcase are very real. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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Cobweb (2023) |
Cobweb is small but mighty. This may very well become a new Halloween favourite with its strong performances, Drum & Lace’s ethereal score and a wild, relentless third act. A future horror classic. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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It Lives Inside (2023) |
It Lives Inside never quite finds a second gear and never rises to the occasion. It’s still a wickedly fun twist on a familiar genre, with some old-fashioned, but effective spooks. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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New Life (2023) |
New Life might begin as a humble spy thriller, before evolving into something much more unusual and thought-provoking, but there is much to love here. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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The Dive (2023) |
The ticking clock element of the narrative is underused and The Dive feels like it has so much potential, but no clear direction where it wants to head. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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The Blackening (2022) |
The Blackening proudly stands next to films like Scream, Cabin in the Woods and Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil as a viciously funny horror-comedy and a sharp meta narrative about the whole genre. It’s just a shame it slightly fumbles the bag at the very end. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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The Monkey King (2023) |
The Monkey King is entertaining enough to entertain younger viewers, but it’s far from Netflix’s best animations. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Sep 28, 2023
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Lie with Me (2022) |
Lie With Me is a beautifully told and realised adaptation, but it’s often far too understated. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 17, 2023
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Strays (2023) |
If a harmony of dog dick jokes, vigorous humping and a thoroughly disappointing finale that fails to do the one thing the film promises sounds enticing, Strays is very likely to at least amuse you. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 17, 2023
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Red, White & Royal Blue (2023) |
Red, White and Royal Blue will most likely please the fans of the book, but for newbies, the film offers very little. The constant push-and-pull dynamic between the romance and the politics of the film doesn’t come naturally. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 10, 2023
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Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story (2023) |
Without the warmth and humour brought by Harbour, the innocence by Madekwe and the sheer gleeful joy by Bloom, Gran Turismo would be a lesser film. It’s a decent movie, not due to Blomkamp’s steering of the ship, but despite it. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 08, 2023
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Meg 2: The Trench (2023) |
The increase in action, humour, and Statham’s magnetic charisma carry it over the finish line. Meg 2 does exactly what it says on the tin, and really, what more could we ask for? - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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KOKOMO CITY (2023) |
Kokomo City can be a little scattershot at times, but this is urgent, vital filmmaking and Smith announces herself as a major new talent. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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Joy Ride (2023) |
There’s not always enough time to develop all of the character, but thanks to the bright, brilliant performances from the central foursome, Joy Ride is 2023’s answer to The Hangover and that’s a compliment of the highest order. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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Haunted Mansion (2023) |
Haunted Mansion rarely offers anything particularly insightful or enjoyable to older viewers, but it should work as a wonderful gateway horror for kids. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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The Beanie Bubble (2023) |
The Beanie Bubble is entertaining enough, but there’s a nagging feeling there was either a more focused film or a longer, more detailed miniseries in the premise. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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Oppenheimer (2023) |
The film’s sheer density and a revolving door of characters make it heavy, but more often than not, Nolan’s filmmaking soars. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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Barbie (2023) |
Barbie is Gerwig’s weirdest, funniest and most bonkers film to date. Within the studio system, we should all be very grateful it exists. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes (2022) |
There is often a disconnect between what we see and what we hear. Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes is much more affecting in its quieter moments and when Kaoru and Anzu explore the tunnel. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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Mutt (2023) |
Lungulov-Klotz is unafraid to ask some tough questions. Mutt is urgent and sprightly, even if it is slightly held back by its limited scope and a lean narrative. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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Past Lives (2023) |
Song’s masterful direction and ability to tell a story mostly visually make Past Lives a masterpiece. It’s an eloquent, alluring film about what we leave behind and what we gain from it. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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You Hurt My Feelings (2023) |
You Hurt My Feelings mostly exists to make you laugh, but there’s truth to its narrative and characters. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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Insidious: The Red Door (2023) |
Sure, Insidious: The Red Door doesn’t do anything particularly different or exciting, but it’s a compelling thrill ride from beginning to end. It’s utterly terrifying at points, and brings the Lamberts’ story to a satisfying conclusion. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) (2022) |
Squaring the Circle truly is a music lover’s dream. It’s a lovingly crafted, if somewhat formulaic documentary about the people who changed music without ever touching an instrument. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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Passages (2023) |
Passages sometimes succumbs to pure melodrama, but at its best moments, this is a wildly sexy exploration of relationships and sexuality and how the two can sometimes complicate each other. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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Fairyland (2023) |
Durham, a former photographer, has a keen eye for visuals and shot composition, but Fairyland can’t quite escape its rather predictable narrative. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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Scrapper (2023) |
Scrapper occasionally gives in to predictable narrative beats, but the playful, unique tone elevates Regan’s film. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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Smoking Causes Coughing (2022) |
If you’re willing to get on Dupieux’s weird wavelength, Smoking Causes Coughing is a lot of fun. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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Elemental (2023) |
Beneath the surface of the film is a powerful story about immigration, discrimination and self-acceptance, but it gets lost in the sea of other, lesser plot points. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023) |
It’s potent stuff, but Ruby Gillman feels particularly stilted with its narrative. - WhyNow (UK)
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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