2020 Film Reviews
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020) Review - Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis excel in 2020 Netflix stage drama adaptation 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. Full film review by Charlie Gardiner.
Happiest Season (2020) Review - Christmas rom-com 'Happiest Season' (2020), from director Clea DuVall and starring Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis and Aubrey Plaza, "is not the LGBT holiday film we were promised". Annice White reviews.
Mank (2020) Review - David Fincher adapts his father's script for 2020 Netflix Original film 'Mank', about Herman J Mankiewicz, the screenwriter behind 'Citizen Kane', played here by Gary Oldman. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Peninsula (2020) Review - 'Peninsula', otherwise known as 'Train to Busan: Peninsula' (2020) is a zombie-action follow up is an unevenly paced, derivative 'Train to Busan' sequel. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Uncle Frank (2020) Review - Written and directed by Alan Ball ('American Beauty'), and starring Paul Bettany, 2020 drama 'Uncle Frank' struggles to be genuine in its portrayal of the hardships of the LGBTQ+ community. Leoni Horton reviews.
Hillbilly Elegy (2020) Review - Ron Howard directed Netflix drama 'Hillbilly Elegy' is certified Oscar bait, but does it do enough to garner awards season recognition? Amy Adams and Glenn Close star, Mark Carnochan reviews.
The Princess Switch: Switched Again (2020) Review - It's Netflix Christmas with the 2nd instalment of 'The Princess Switch', 'The Princess Switch: Switched Again' starring Vanessa Hudgens, Vanessa Hudgens and... Vanessa Hudgens. Jacob Davis reviews.
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (2020) Review - 'Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square', released on Netflix in 2020, has cheese and festivities galore but lacks any form of quality. Charlie Gardiner reviews.
Shirley (2020) Review - Shirley Jackson biopic 'Shirley' (2020) starring Elisabeth Moss and Michael Stuhlbarg is "a hypnotic albeit challenging tapestry of a character piece". Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
On the Rocks (2020) Review - Sofia Coppola comedy-drama 'On the Rocks' (2020), available on Apple TV+ and starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones, reviewed by Christopher Connor.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020) Review - Borat is back, and this time he's looking to sell his daughter to Republican Vice President Mike Pence. Sacha Baron Cohen takes aim at Trumpism in 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm' (ie, Borat 2), reviewed by Joseph Wade.
Rebecca (2020) Review - Ben Wheatley adapts Daphne De Maurier's "Rebecca", first put to screen by Alfred Hitchcock, with Armie Hammer, Kristin Scott Thomas and particularly Lily James excelling in their roles. Beth Sawdon reviews.
Saint Maud (2020) Review - A religion themed horror of the pace and tone of a Robert Eggers movie, Saint Maud (2020) from debut feature director Rose Glass and starring Morfydd Clark reviewed by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
New Order (2020) BFI LFF Review - 'New Order' (2020), from Mexican filmmaker Michel Franco, is "a daunting but very well crafted art-house thriller". Naian González Norvind stars. Review by Jack Cameron.
Nomadland (2020) BFI LFF Review - "The Journey is one hell of a trip" in Chloé Zhao's immersive road movie 'Nomadland' (2020), featuring arguably the most complex and versatile performance of Frances McDormand's career. Leoni Horton reviews.
Never Gonna Snow Again (2020) BFI LFF Review - "Imagine a superhero film that takes aim at the upper middle classes and borrows moments from the work of legendary Soviet-era filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky". Never Gonna Snow Again (2020) review by Joseph Wade.
Possessor (2020) BFI LFF Review - "You've never seen blood splatter so pretty" as in Brandon Cronenberg sophomore feature 'Possessor' (2020) starring Andrea Riseborough and Christopher Abbott. Leoni Horton reviews.
Limbo (2020) BFI LFF Review - Ben Sharrock creates a bittersweet tale of those in need of a place to call home in 2020 refugee drama 'Limbo'. Leoni Horton reviews this lovingly photographed fish-out-of-water film.
David Byrne’s American Utopia (2020) BFI LFF Review - David Byrne and Spike Lee burn down the house with this expertly crafted, toes out extravaganza. Shove over "Hamilton", David Byrne is here. Leoni Horton reviews 'David Byrne's American Utopia' (2020).
Rose: A Love Story (2020) Review - When illness and reality take over, Rose and Sam must find a way to survive in the wilderness with only their love for each other to keep them safe. Charlie Gardiner reviews Rose: A Love Story (2020) starring Sophie Rundle and Matt Stokoe.
Ultraviolence (2020) BFI LFF Review - Ultraviolence, from documentarian Ken Fero, takes a graphic look into the brutality within the British Police whilst talking to the families of victims who have suffered at the hands of a faulty system. Charlie Gardiner reviews.
Wildfire (2020) BFI LFF Review - Nika McGuigan and Nora-Jane Noone shine in Cathy Brady's feature debut 'Wildfire', an Irish drama that ponders a lot of topics at the expense of its narrative. Jack Cameron reviews.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) Review - Netflix Original 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' from screenwriter-director Aaron Sorkin and starring an ensemble including Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, reviewed by Kieran Judge.
One Night in Miami (2020) BFI LFF Review - Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown and Cassius Clay converse on matters of race and religion in Regina King's tenderly crafted feature directorial debut, 'One Night In Miami' (2020), reviewed by Leoni Horton.
Cicada (2020) BFI LFF Review - Matthew Fifer's breathtaking self-penned and co-directed debut project, 'Cicada', speaks of the varied manifestations of pain. Movie review by Leoni Horton.
Wolfwalkers (2020) BFI LFF Review - Cartoon Saloon animated feature 'Wolfwalkers' (2020), directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, and starring Sean Bean, is a must-watch; both timely and timeless. Charlie Gardiner reviews.
Supernova (2020) BFI LFF Review - A breathtakingly beautiful look at the effect dementia can have on a couple trying to relive their fondest memories, 'Supernova' (2020) starring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci reviewed by Charlie Gardiner.
Undine (2020) BFI LFF Review - Christian Petzold's Berlin-set drama 'Undine' is a challenging film that features an utterly watchable performance from Paula Beer. Joseph Wade reviews.
Kajillionaire (2020) BFI LFF Review - 'Kajillionaire', from screenwriter-director Miranda July, starring Evan Rachel Wood, Richard Jenkins, Debra Winger and Gina Rodriguez is "entangled in July's bohemian-style flair". Leoni Horton reviews.
Mangrove (2020) BFI LFF Review - The tale of the Mangrove 9 is told in one part of the 'Small Axe' Steve McQueen anthology, 'Mangrove', "one of the most important British films of the 21st century". Joseph Wade reviews.
Relic (2020) BFI LFF Review - Natalie Erika James takes a lead pipe to the glass ceiling with this horror debut of the highest class, 2020 BFI London Film Festival entry 'Relic' starring Emily Mortimer, being "a genuine triumph". Joseph Wade reviews.
Eyimofe ‘This Is My Desire’ (2020) BFI LFF Review - The Esiri Brothers, Arie and Chuko, direct 'Eyimofe' (This Is My Desire), a new dual-chaptered drama set in Nigeria's most populous city, Lagos. Leoni Horton reviews this BFI London Film Festival entry.
Siberia (2020) BFI LFF Review - 2020 BFI London Film Festival entry 'Siberia', from screenwriter-director Abel Ferrara and starring Willem Dafoe, is a self-reflective film that always feels just out of reach. Joseph Wade reviews.
Herself (2020) BFI LFF Review - Herself (2020) Review - "There’s a true beauty in art that showcases the power of people and what can be achieved when we come together, a message that is arguably more important than ever in 2020." Charlie Gardiner.
The Painter and the Thief (2020) BFI LFF Review - An emotional depiction of friendship, trauma and the power of art, Benjamin Ree's documentary 'The Painter and the Thief' (2020) focusing on Barbora Kyslikova and Karl Bertil-Norland, reviewed by Charlie Gardiner.
Mogul Mowgli (2020) BFI LFF Review - Riz Ahmed stars as MC Zed, a British-Pakistani rapper facing his toughest challenge in his life away from music, in the debut feature of Bassam Tariq. Leoni Horton reviews this BFI London Film Festival 2020 release.
The Broken Hearts Gallery (2020) Review - 2020 rom-com 'The Broken Hearts Gallery', from screenwriter-director Natalie Krinsky and starring Geraldine Viswanathan, demonstrates the timelessness of New York City love stories. Leoni Horton reviews.
Enola Holmes (2020) Review - Sherlock's kid sister takes on the case in new Netflix feature Enola Holmes. Beth Sawdon gives us the low-down on Millie Bobby Brown's producing debut.
The Devil All the Time (2020) Review - 'The Devil All the Time', Netflix's Antonio Campos directed adaptation of Donald Ray Pollock's novel of the same name starring Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, is an interesting albeit slow-burning adaptation. Sophia Patfield reviews.
The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020) Review - Sequels are infamously difficult to get right, but McG is out to prove a point with 'The Babysitter: Killer Queen'. Was he able to overcome the sequel curse? Mark Carnochan reviews.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020) Review - 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things', the 2020 Netflix film starring Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons, from the mind of 'Synecdoche, New York' filmmaker Charlie Kaufman, reviewed by Joseph Wade.
The Assistant (2019/20) Review - Kitty Green's 'The Assistant' (2019/2020) "is a stunning piece of work that unflinchingly tells a story of everyday life and everyday abuse in an industry that isn’t changing fast enough." Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
An American Pickle (2020) Review - Seth Rogen offers a terrific combination of leading performances in 'An American Pickle', a "sophisticated but not alienating" comedy from Pixar and SNL writer Simon Rich. Annice White reviews.
Mulan (2020) Review - Disney have released the most expensive film ever made by a female director, with Niki Caro's reimagining of 'Mulan' now on Disney Plus. Full movie review by Sam Sewell-Peterson here.
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) Review - The world waited 30 years for Terry Gilliam to finally realise his 'The Man Who Killed Don Quixote' film, but was it worth the hype? Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews the should-be magnum opus of a great career.
Matthias and Maxime (2019) Review - 2019 Cannes competition entry 'Matthias et Maxime' from French-Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan is "an intimate portrait of how big each our small lives can feel in the immediacy of every passing moment". Joseph Wade reviews.
The New Mutants (2020) Review - More than 2 years after it was originally scheduled to be released, Josh Boone X-Men teen horror 'The New Mutants' is finally here, and it could be destined for cult status. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Tenet (2020) Review - 'Tenet' (2020), written and directed by 'Inception' filmmaker Christopher Nolan, and starring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, is "an unmissable cinematic experience". Joseph Wade reviews.
Da 5 Bloods (2020) Review - "It's hard to imagine a film more relevant to the past and present being released this year". Spike Lee's Netflix Original exploration of PTSD, race and neo-imperialism reviewed by Jacob Davis.
Get Duked! (2020) Review - "One of 2020's best", Amazon Original Scottish horror-comedy 'Get Duked!', is a memorable feature debut for screenwriter-director Ninian Doff. Full movie Review by Mark Carnochan.
Host (2020) Review - Rob Savage directed Zoom video call horror film 'Host' (2020) takes "a simple, economic concept and expands it into something chillingly lasting". Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Babyteeth (2020) Review - Coming-of-age drama 'Babyteeth', starring Eliza Scanlen and Toby Wallace, directed by Shannon Murphy, "side-steps every overworked genre cliché". Full movie review by Leoni Horton.
Bad Education (2019) Review - Hitting all the right punches in all the right moments to help you understand the motives of the real life character at its heart, 'Bad Education' is edge of the seat movie going and deserves to be celebrated. Charlie Gardiner reviews.
Scoob! (2020) Review - Mystery Inc is back for a new adventure, this time from Warner Animation Group, with 'Scoob!' (2020) featuring some expressive animation, a host of star names and one notably bad cameo. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
How to Build a Girl (2020) Review - 'How to Build A Girl' fails to catch up with Beanie Feldstein's immense talent, using overtired Britcom to water down the issues it brings to light.
The Perfect Candidate (2019) Review - Monumental filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour returns to Saudi Arabia to tell a tale of a woman fighting systemic sexism in 'The Perfect Candidate' (2019). Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Yes, God, Yes (2019) Review - 'Stranger Things' star Natalia Dyer plays a sexually repressed teenager discovering herself and her body amidst a religious upbringing in Karen Maine's debut feature 'Yes, God, Yes' (2019) reviewed by Beth Sawdon.
Unhinged (2020) Review - Russell Crowe stars as a sweaty and ultra violent maniac in 2020 thriller 'Unhinged', from director Derrick Borte and screenwriter Carl Ellsworth, described as "a throwback thriller" by Joseph Wade in this review.
Extraction (2020) Review - Produced by the Russo Brothers, the men behind 'Avengers: Endgame', and starring Chris Hemsworth ('Thor'), Netflix Original action movie 'Extraction' "is how you make an all-out shooter". Joseph Wade's review.
The Old Guard (2020) Review - Charlize Theron leads an ensemble cast in 2020 Netflix action film 'The Old Guard'. With a "universe" clearly in Netflix's sights, is this film worth a sequel? Find out in Joseph Wade's review.
Palm Springs (2020) Review - Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti star in 'Palm Springs' (2020), a new film from the team behind The Lonely Island of a romance stuck in a time loop. Joseph Wade reviews.
The King of Staten Island (2020) Review - 2020 Judd Apatow directed come-drama 'The King of Staten Island' is a recognisable attempt by Pete Davidson to face his demons head-on. Review by Leoni Horton.
Come to Daddy (2019) Review - Elijah Wood stars in 'Come To Daddy', a gory favourite of the 2019 festival circuit now available on home video. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
The Vast of Night (2019) Review - 'The Vast of Night', available exclusively on Amazon, is proof that "small-scale storytelling can sometimes be more captivating than the flashiest and most elaborate blockbusters". Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Out (2020) Pixar Short Film Review - "Hilarious, heartwarming and sweet", Disney Pixar short film 'Out' marks the animation studio's first openly LGBTQ+ narrative. Rebecca Seghini reviews the film now available on Disney Plus.
Uncorked (2020) Review - Netflix wine movie 'Uncorked', from director Prentice Penny and starring Mamoudou Athie, "gets so much right" and puts across the "almost magical power of food and drink". Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Calm with Horses (2019) Review - Irish gang drama 'Calm with Horses' (2019) is a stunning visual presentation with an atmospheric and moody score. Barry Keoghan and Cosmo Jarvis star. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Dearly Departed (2020) Short Film Review - "Imagine a mixture of 'Waitress' and 'The Sixth Sense', and you’ve got Elise Martin and Jess Bartlett’s entertaining new short", 'Dearly Departed' (2020). Beth Sawdon reviews.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) Review - Eliza Hittman film 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always', succeeds at telling the tale of a teenage girl seeking abortion in the United States through empathy and authenticity. Pagan Carruthers reviews. 
Love Wedding Repeat (2020) Review - All-star Netflix film 'Love Wedding Repeat' (2020), starring the likes of Sam Claflin, Olivia Munn, Eleanor Tomlinson and Aisling Bea, is a rom-com with no rom and no com. Annice White reviews.
Fantasy Island (2020) Review - New Blumhouse fantasy-thriller-horror 'Fantasy Island' (2020) might be worth a watch if you're a fan of Lucy Hale, but it won't thrill fans of the genre quite like a 'Get Out'. Sophie Cook reviews.
True History of the Kelly Gang (2019) Review - Justin Kurzel (Macbeth; Assassin's Creed) takes on the legend of Ned Kelly in his Western turned punk performance piece starring '1917' star George MacKay. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Dark Waters (2020) Review - Todd Haynes takes inspiration from the horror genre to intelligently present the real-life story of a lawyer who uncovered one of America's largest ever conspiracies. DuPont are taken to task in 'Dark Waters' (2020) reviewed by Annice White.
The Truth (2019) Review - Palme d'Or winning director Hirokazu Koreeda follows up his smash hit 'Shoplifters' with 'The Truth', his first film made outside of his first language, starring Juliette Binoche and Catherine Deneuve. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Bloodshot (2020) Review - Is new Vin Diesel action film worth a shot on VOD? Jacob Davis takes a look in his review of 'Bloodshot' (2020) from director David S.F. Wilson.
Our Ladies (2020) GFF Review - Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, 'Our Ladies' is a 'wildly entertaining riot of a movie'. Click to read Sophie Butcher's review in full. 
Onward (2020) Review - Pixar have done it again with the heartwarming, family friendly, adventure film 'Onward' starring Chris Pratt and Tom Holland. Review from Charlie Gardiner.
The Invisible Man (2020) Review - This is not your great-grandfather's 'Invisible Man', this is Blumhouse and writer-director Leigh Whannell ('Upgrade') making the horror film we need right now. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Misbehaviour (2020) Review - 'Misbehaviour' (2020) from director Philippa Lowthorpe and starring Keira Knightley, Jessie Buckley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, is not without its issues but "a charming, heartwarming and funny film about feminism" nonetheless. Annice White reviews.
The Last Thing He Wanted (2020) Review - Netflix Joan Didion adaptation 'The Last Thing He Wanted' (2020), from 'Mudbound' director Dee Rees, starring Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck and Willem Dafoe is "fails miserably on almost every conceivable level". Leoni Horton reviews.
The Rhythm Section (2020) Review - Blake Lively and Jude Law star in spy-thriller 'The Rhythm Section' from director Reed Morano. Do we have the next Bourne? Sophie Cook reviews...
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) Review - "If Detective Pikachu was the exception that proved the rule that video game to cinema adaptations don't work, Sonic the Hedgehog just rewrote that rule." Joseph Wade's review of Jeff Fowler and SEGA Studios' live-action 'Sonic the Hedgehog' (2020).
Gretel and Hansel (2020) Review - Oz Perkins directs 'Gretel & Hansel', a film with an obvious upside that is worth considering as a choice for a trip to the theatre. Jacob Davis reviews.
Birds of Prey (2020) Review - Harley Quinn is unleashed from under the Joker's thumb and teams up with three other lethal ladies of Gotham in Cathy Yan's 'Birds of Prey'. Click to read Sophie Butcher's review in full.
The Personal History of David Copperfield (2020) Review - 'The Death of Stalin' screenwriter-director Armando Ianucci tackles the bane of the English classroom's Charles Dickins, in his adaptation of 'The Personal History of David Copperfield' starring Dev Patel. Katie Doyle reviews.
The Turning (2020) Review - “Huh?” seems to be the only response you'll have. Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard and Brooklyn Prince star in 'The Turning', a 2020 horror from Floria Sigismondi, reviewed by Jacob Davis.
Bad Boys for Life (2020) Review - Are the Bad Boys really "for life"? Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews the third installment in the Will Smith and Martin Lawrence action-comedy franchise 'Bad Boys'.
Just Mercy (2020) Review - Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson star in Destin Daniel Cretton's 'Just Mercy', the true story of a man attempting to clear a prisoner on death row of a crime he didn't commit. Annice White reviews.
1917 (2019) Review - It's rare to see a film about World War I, but Sam Mendes' '1917', photographed by Roger Deakins, becomes a pretty fine example of the sub-genre according to Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Underwater (2020) Review - Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel and T.J. Miller star in Christopher Eubank directed Sci-Fi 'Underwater' (2020). Full movie review courtesy of Jacob Davis.
Bombshell (2020) Review - Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie star in 'Bombshell', the dramatisation of the Fox News takedown that came before #MeToo as we know it. Read our review, as written by Sophie Butcher.
The Grudge (2020) Review - Despite some positive aspects, the new version of 'The Grudge', from director Nicolas Pesce, fails offer enough to warrant the franchise resurrection. Jacob Davis reviews.
Uncut Gems (2019) Review - Safdie Brothers film 'Uncut Gems' (2019), starring Adam Sandler, brings the myth of Sisyphus to life in a movie that provides "joy in the struggle", according to Jacob Davis in his review.
A Hidden Life (2019) Review - A war drama and true life story that combines the early narrative accomplishments of screenwriter-director Terrence Malick's earlier career with the visual motifs of his later work. Starring August Diehl. Joseph Wade's review.
Ema (2019) Review - "One of the most alive, bustling, energetic and effervescent movies of 2019", 'Ema' from 'Jackie' director Pablo Larraín, starring Gael Garcia Bernal is "a film of the year". Joseph Wade's review.
Parasite (2019) Snapshot Review - Bong Joon-ho's Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winning thriller 'Parasite' is the latest film to prove that genre filmmaking is back. Jacob Davis reviews.
The Lighthouse (2019) Snapshot Review - Films like Robert Eggers' 'The Lighthouse' (2019) "are why cinema exists", the Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe starring movie being "engrossing and mysterious", according to Jacob Davis in his review.
Portrait of A Lady on Fire (2019) Review - New Céline Sciamma film 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' offers "some of the most extraordinary filmmaking this century" according to Joseph Wade in his review of the Queer Palm winning film.