Disney’s honoring the memory of the iconic Dolly Parton with a special theatrical re-release of the newly restored 20th Century Studios’ 9 to 5. Tickets are currently on sale for the special week-long run that kicks off on October 9, 2026. Disney’s pledging all net proceeds from ticket purchases to The Dollywood Foundation’s “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”
Dolly Parton passed away at age 80 on August 26, 2026. 9/25 is now designated as “Give Like Dolly Day” to recognize her long history of charitable work.
Parton established the Imagination Library in 1995, and since its founding, the program has given away more than 300 million free books to children around the world. The incredible program continues after her passing, with 3 million free books distributed each month.
9 to 5 was released in 1980, and Parton earned a Best Song nomination for the film’s theme song. Working off a $10 million budget and starring Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, 9 to 5 grossed $103 million during its theatrical run.
20th Century Fox’s official synopsis reads, “In 9 to 5, a group of female office workers – the all-knowing manager who trained the boss but can’t get promoted (Tomlin), a befuddled newcomer (Fonda) and an alluring personal secretary everyone presumes is having an affair (Parton) – all band together to seek revenge on the man who is making their lives miserable.”
Poster for ‘9 to 5’ limited release (Photo credit: Disney and 20th Century Fox)
Fox’s Doc season three, episode two teaser confirms life is getting even more confusing for Amy with the introduction of Dr. Grant. Episode two, “Ready or Not,” airs on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 9pm ET/PT.
Molly Parker stars as Dr. Amy Larsen, Omar Metwally is Dr. Michael Hamda, Jon-Michael Ecker plays Dr. Jake Heller, Amirah Vann is Dr. Gina Walker, Anya Banerjee is Dr. Sonya Maitra, Patrick Walker plays Dr. Theodore “TJ” Coleman, and Blair Underwood is Dr. Ben Grant. Recurring guest stars include Barrett Carnahan as Graham Barker, Raffa Virago as Nikki De Silva, Cecilia Lee as Ruth Chen, and Kolton Stewart as Kyle Ferguson.
“Ready or Not” Plot: When a horrific accident sends three members of the same family to Westside in critical condition, the entire staff must band together to save them and avert tragedy. Amid the chaos, Amy must contend with a flood of emotional memories as she goes head to head with mysterious newcomer Dr. Ben Grant.
Inspired by a true story and based on the hit eponymous Italian drama series, Doc is a life-affirming medical drama that follows the heartbreak and victories of hard-charging, brilliant physician Dr. Amy Larsen (Emmy nominee Molly Parker, House of Cards) as she rebuilds her life after a car crash erased eight years of her memory.
This season, Amy will continue to confront hard truths about her missing years, work to repair fractured relationships and seek to reconcile the person she used to be with the one everyone else has come to know.
The power of friendship and the importance of cherishing memories are at the heart of DreamWorks Animation’s 2026 release, Forgotten Island, written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado.
Forgotten Island opens in the Philippines in 1990, with two young girls parked outside the principal’s office to be disciplined. Jo (voiced by Kailey Crawford), an imaginative and outgoing rebel, quickly makes friends with Raissa (voiced by Kayla Teruel), who is shy but incredibly smart. The two lonely outcasts become best friends and soon create all kinds of mischief together. They also love listening to Jo’s grandmother (voiced by Dolly de Leon) tell stories about the mystical island called Nakali, which is inhabited by strange and wondrous creatures.
After a frantic montage showing Jo and Raissa growing up together, it’s now graduation day and the almost adult Raissa (voiced by Liza Soberano) reluctantly breaks the news to Jo (voiced by R&B artist H.E.R.) that she is going to college at Cal Tech in America. Jo puts on a brave face but is devastated by the news that her best – and only – friend is leaving her behind.
Determined to have one last unforgettable night together, Jo and Raissa go out dancing and partying and have a blast. As the night gets late, the BFFs are relaxing by the ocean when a portal accidentally opens, and the two young women fall into it.
They wake up 12 hours later and discover they have no memories of what they did over that time. They’ve also lost the special object that helps the portal open. Raissa, desperate to get home and not miss her flight to America, becomes obsessed with finding the object, while Jo is keen to explore the magical island they landed on.
To their delight, Jo and Raissa realize they’ve traveled to Nakali. They make friends with a wacky shapeshifting weredog named Raww (voiced by Dave Franco), who happily volunteers to be their guide. Raww is able to go over everything they did together so they can, hopefully, find a way to open the portal and get Raissa home in time for her flight.
Their quest will be fun but also perilous. To return home, they’ll have to contend with a memory demon that will demand part, if not all, of their precious memories as payment for leaving the Forgotten Island.
Colorful and chaotic, Forgotten Island is an animated fantasy adventure with a solid message for kids about the importance of friendship but suffers terribly from its overly frenetic pacing and loud, intrusive soundtrack. It’s a frenzied mess of a film.
The voice cast does a solid job of bringing the characters to life. However, none of the characters, even the fantastical ones on the island, are memorable or even all that likeable. In fact, a few such as Bungi, the giant baby demon (voiced by Manny Jacinto), are downright annoying.
Another massive problem with Forgotten Island is its tone, which is all over the place, from hectic action scenes to silly dialogue and scenes of sadness and emotion that never ring true. In the final 30 minutes, the movie gets extremely dark and scary for little children with the introduction of a vampire demon hunting the girls. Be warned, parents, these scenes are far too intense for children under the age of eight.
DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island is such a whirlwind of chaos and noise that it’s best left off your watchlist. There are far better 2026 animated adventures, including Hoppers and Toy Story 5, worth your time.
GRADE: C-
Rating: PG for thematic elements, rude humor, language, brief tobacco imagery, scary action, and some violence
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Jeremy Irvine and Emma Hartley-Miller in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
Starz’s Outlander: Blood of my Blood season two, episode two opens in Cambridge, England in 1924 with Uncle Lamb (George Kemp) reminding a young Claire to go easy on his figurines. She promises to be careful. After she leaves the room, Lamb’s associate, Firouz (Amro Mahmoud), shows up with newspapers from Inverness. Claire’s been asking about her parents, and Lamb confirms he hasn’t given up on finding them.
However, he confesses that not telling her they’re gone forever might be making things worse. Maybe it’s time to move on with life. Instead of looking through the newspapers, he decides to use them for packing for their trip to the Middle East.
As he walks out, the camera pans to an article on an unknown veteran telling an impossible story.
(The following is a recap of season two, episode two – “The Veil of Time” – and there are spoilers ahead.)
Henry (Jeremy Irvine) speaks with Mrs. Graham (Emma Hartley-Miller), and although she believes his story, he seems to be repeating himself. He can’t remember what he’s already told her. Mrs. Graham thinks the stones and the faerie folk aren’t letting him remember everything. She asks for more details on the last day he remembers, and he believes he saw Julia with a child.
Henry becomes emotional, comparing his experience to that of a soldier who has lost a leg and is reaching for a limb that is no longer there. He’s worried he’ll forget Julia’s name and face, and Mrs. Graham promises him that if he stops drowning in grief, he’ll keep her memory alive.
Mrs. Graham is sure that his love will guide him back to Julia. It’s possible that on Samhain the veil will be thin enough for him to travel back to her. Mrs. Graham says the leaves in the tea dust indicate there was a journey that was broken, but it does continue in a ring.
Henry hopes she’s right.
Mrs. Graham returns on All Hallow’s Eve and reveals she wants to help him through the stones. He just needs Julia to guide him. She passes him a bag with two disguises and a gemstone he can use to cut himself. (He was bleeding when he went through the stones.) Henry doesn’t know how he’ll repay her, and Mrs. Graham just wants him to find his true love.
Henry escapes dressed as a reverend and quickly heads toward Craig na Dun.
Harriet Slater and Séamus McLean Ross in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
The MacKenzies and Frasers Ready for War
Colum (Seamus McLean Ross) confronts Ellen (Harriet Slater), still upset about her jilting of Malcolm Grant. He’s stunned when she reveals she knows he sent men to kill Brian, but he doesn’t apologize. Dougal (Sam Retford) and Ned (Conor MacNeill) join them, and Dougal’s ready to whip her. Ellen defends herself, and at last the situation calms down. Dougal wonders where Brian is now, and Ellen insists she returned home on her own to save her family. If they join the rebellion and they lose, the Crown will take their land and money.
If they put Leoch in her name, they’ll be able to keep it since she hasn’t committed treason. Ned agrees the Crown wouldn’t have cause to take the land from her. Colum’s not convinced they should join the rebellion, but Dougal is adamant that he will fight. And because he’s war chieftain, the men will follow him – whatever he decides.
Colum and Ned discuss the rebellion, and Ned believes Ellen’s proposal could save the clan – if the rebellion ends badly. Colum concedes that Ellen is in fact just like their father when it comes to business dealings.
Colum informs Ellen he will put their holdings in her name if she swears not to wed while she holds the title to the land. If she does, the land returns to Colum. Ellen gives her word and signs the contract.
Meanwhile, over at Castle Leathers Davina Porter (Sara Vickers) and Julia (Hermione Corfield) thank Maisri (Katharine O’Donnelly) for coming while Lord Lovat is off gathering men for the rebellion. Julia continues her lie that she was forcibly taken and requests a charm to protect the castle. Maisri will do it but will require compensation.
Lord Lovat (Tony Curran) speaks to a full tavern where the men aren’t welcoming him with open arms. They think he’s disgraced himself and some even walk out. Brian (Jamie Roy) finally speaks up and admits he’s Simon Fraser’s bastard son, acknowledging Lord Lovat has faults. But he always stands up and fights for what he believes in. Brian thinks the honor of fighting for the rebellion is worth following Lord Lovat.
Simon looks shocked as Brian says, “You call him disgraced. I call him unbowed. You call him condemned. I call him unbroken. You call him wanting. Well, I call him present.” Brian urges the men, some of whom have returned from outside, to join together and fight as a clan.”
His rousing speech encourages the men to stand up and fight. They cheer when his speech ends, and Lord Lovat looks at Brian with actual pride. He’s impressed with Brian’s speech, and Brian soaks in the praise before admitting he did it so that he’ll be able to reunite with Ellen when the rebellion is over. Lord Lovat’s fine with that and believes Brian is like him after all.
Instead of continuing to round up men, Lord Lovat puts Brian in charge so he can return to Castle Leathers.
Maisri continues working on the charm and Julia asks what she meant when she said the stones at Craig na Dun aren’t to be trifled with. Maisri explains the stone circle was made by old powers and not many can command them. Julia doesn’t admit she knew the man who took her but says he vanished there. She needs to know more about the powers in case he comes back.
Maisri concentrates and announces that Julia doesn’t have the gift to pass through the stones, even when the veil is at its thinnest.
Lord Lovat walks in and is upset Julia summoned the seer without his permission. Julia claims it was to protect her and their son, and Simon accepts that explanation. He asks Maisri if she sees him being triumphant in the rebellion and she confirms he will. Simon then asks if the victory will put his son on the path to the crown. She casts her bones and sees a red rose and a white rose. She also mentions two mothers and three fathers, and Simon’s confused. Maisri sees a field of thorns with white roses and a russet coat. A cunning fox has left his lair. And if Simon’s son stands the last of his line, “he shall one day be a king.”
Before she leaves, Maisri gives Julia a protection ward to weave into the baby’s cradle. She also reveals that the young girl with dark curls isn’t alone. “There’s a father’s heart watching over her,” says Maisri. She adds that the girl is safe in a land that Julia can’t reach.
Brian continues to meet with men and does an impressive job of inspiring them to join the rebellion. He leaves the men he’s gathered and only he and Murtagh make the trip to Castle Leoch.
Jamie Roy in ‘Outlander: Blood of my Blood’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)
The MacKenzies have gathered with others who’ve joined the rebellion for a celebration of All Hallow’s Eve. Colum, who’s staying behind, announces to Dougal and Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin) that his wife is expecting, and he’s happy to stay with her and watch over the women.
The celebration comes to a halt as Murtagh (Rory Alexander) and Brian enter the party. Brian whispers to Colum that if he had harmed Ellen upon her return, he would have killed him. Dougal attacks and he and Brian fight. Dougal’s larger but Brian’s a decent fighter. Blows are exchanged and finally Brian announces why he’s there. He has 100 men nearby all pledging to the Jacobite cause. Brian pledges himself and his men to Dougal and Dougal’s stunned. He finally responds by saying Brian has his mercy.
Maura (Bobby Rainsbury) is impressed with her husband, and they can hardly make it out of the hallway before having sex.
Murtagh also gets a little time enjoyable time away from the fuss after getting hit during the melee. His mother introduces him to Grace Cameron (Ruby Fubara) and orders her to watch over him while she fetches bandages. A lot of flirting goes on and Murtagh doesn’t even seem to care he was hit on the head. Jocasta interrupts their brief time together, looking a bit jealous.
Back at Castle Leathers, Julia weaves the charm into the baby’s cradle and tells Davina that Maisri brought up Claire again. Julia wants to believe Henry found her and that she’s safe. But she’s worried that Maisri also said she can’t travel through the stones. She hopes that if Henry and Claire are together, they stay where they are.
Lord Lovat proudly introduces Seema (Lauren McQueen), a new maid sent from the Grants.
Murtagh and Grace meet again at night, smiling as they talk about his injury and his mom. She’s about to walk away when he tells her he’ll be back to return the basket from his mom if he survives the battle.
Brian and Ellen find a private spot to catch up. After a passionate kiss, he reminds her he’d bargain with the devil to be with her. She’s sad to tell him she can’t get married until after the rebellion, and Brian doesn’t care. He’d wait until his dying day for her.
Ellen tosses two chestnuts into the fire. If the chestnuts burn side by side, their marriage will be blessed. She’s certain that’s what they’ll do.
Episode two ends with Ellen telling Brian to come back to her.
The teaser for Fox’s Best Medicine season two, episode two is maybe the craziest teaser the series has released to date. And this season’s male pregnancies storyline is just the tip of the iceberg. Episode two, “Breakin’ In Is Hard to Do,” will air on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 8pm ET/PT.
Josh Charles returns to star as Dr. Martin Best, Abigail Spencer is back as Louisa Gavin, Josh Segarra reprises his role as Sheriff Mark Mylow, Annie Potts stars as Aunt Sarah, and Cree returns as Elaine Denton. Stephen Spinella plays Greg Garrison and Jason Veasey plays George Brady.
“Breakin’ In Is Hard to Do” Plot: When the Port Wenn pharmacy is robbed, including Louisa’s critical time-sensitive medicine, Martin deduces that the culprit desperately needs his help. Meanwhile, Greg and George clash with a rival food truck owner, Sarah tries to bond with Eden, and Martin is on the receiving end of a special brand of Port Wenn affection.
Martin Best is a brilliant surgeon who abruptly leaves his illustrious career in Boston to become the general practitioner in a quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent summers as a child. Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, and he quickly alienates the town, even though he’s all they’ve got.
Although Martin can expertly address any medical ailment or mystery in this idiosyncratic town, he’s really just desperate to be left the hell alone. Instead, he keeps getting dragged right smack into the middle of their personal chaos, feuds, and fantasies. What the locals don’t know is that Martin’s terse demeanor masks a debilitating new phobia and deep-seated psychological issues that prevent him from experiencing true intimacy with anyone. But tenacity is the creed of everyone in their small village, and the people who live there may be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Netflix has officially renewed The Beast in Me for season two, with Claire Danes returning to star. However, Matthew Rhys’ status wasn’t confirmed and the streamer didn’t release any season two plot details. Rhys won an Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Emmy for his role on the same night he won an Emmy for his starring role in Widow’s Bay.
“We always told ourselves we’d only do a second season of The Beast in Me if we found a story that was worthy of the first – and I’m thrilled to say we found it,” stated writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner Howard Gordon. “We loved making this show and our audience seemed to love watching it, so we’re enormously grateful to Jinny Howe and Netflix, and to Karey Burke and 20th Television for giving us the chance to get the band back together and do it again.”
Danes will reprise her Emmy-nominated role as Aggie Wiggs and serve as an executive producer. Season one also starred stars Brittany Snow (The Hunting Wives) and Natalie Morales (Grey’s Anatomy).
Daniel Pearle is the season two co-showrunner and executive producer, along with Daniel Pearle, Antonio Campos, Caroline Baron, Amy Lippman, Gabe Rotter, Conan O’Brien, David Kissinger, Jeff Ross, and Jodie Foster.
Commenting on the renewal, Netflix Head of Scripted Series Jinny Howe said, “We are thrilled to bring back The Beast in Me and to welcome Howard Gordon to the Netflix family with this creative partnership. The series captivated global audiences, delivered extraordinary performances led by Claire Danes, and earned Matthew Rhys a historic Emmy win. We are incredibly proud of what Howard Gordon, Gabe Rotter, and the entire cast and crew achieved. We can’t wait for audiences to see what Howard and Daniel Pearle have in store for the next season.”
The bond between humans and dogs has been captured on screen in films such as Marley & Me, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, White Fang, and Old Yeller. In 2026, that list expands with survival thriller Heart of the Beast.
The film begins with retired special forces officer James Belmont (Brad Pitt) living a quiet, simple life in the Alaskan wilderness with his loyal German Shepherd combat dog named Odin (Uber). Both served together in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffer from PTSD. The two veterans set out for a relaxing day of camping and fly-fishing in Belmont’s Cessna airplane. Their peaceful trip is interrupted by a stranger, Watkins (JK Simmons), who is only looking for a little company before traveling down the river in his canoe. James and Watkins enjoy a beer, and Watkins takes off early the next morning, leaving behind a book he believes James will enjoy. He even highlighted a paragraph he believes will have meaning to James.
James and Odin are just starting their day when James realizes a storm’s coming, forcing them to pack up and cut their camping trip short. However, while flying through the storm, James suffers a heart attack and struggles to try to keep control before passing out while Odin whimpers and cries, concerned for his master. The plane crashes in the water and sinks, throwing poor Odin clear but trapping James in the pilot’s seat. James comes to, frees himself, and then desperately searches for his canine best friend. He finds Odin but there’s barely any sign of life.
James spends the night with Odin, practically willing him back to life. Fortunately, it works.
After checking his map, James realizes that he and Odin will need to travel on foot 58 miles through the wilderness to reach the nearest road. “No one’s coming for us. We’re just going to have to do this the hard way,” says James as they get ready to begin what might be the toughest and deadliest journey of their lives. Their treacherous trek puts them in multiple life-threatening situations, including an encounter with a giant grizzly bear, a forced crossing of an unstable fallen tree bridge over a gorge (with rushing rapids below), and a face-off with a pack of hungry wolves.
Suspenseful and touching, Heart of the Beast is, on the surface, a gripping survival story. But at its core is a moving love story between a man and his devoted dog. Make no mistake, the film’s heart and soul is the bond between James and Odin and their willingness to risk their lives for each other.
Brad Pitt delivers one of his most reserved and overall best performances of his career as James Belmont, the grizzled retired veteran whose love and bond with Odin is unbreakable. Pitt shows James’s affection for Odin beautifully in quiet, simple scenes, such as when he removes Odin’s artificial leg and gently massages his stump or after Odin wakes from a horrible nightmare and he softly pets him while whispering, “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”
Additionally, Pitt does a fantastic job of capturing the toll the journey takes on James and his unflinching determination to survive and get himself and Odin back to civilization.
Newcomer Uber delivers a memorable performance as Odin, the former combat dog. Uber looks at Pitt so adoringly and protectively it’s an effortless jump for the audience to believe they are true life companions. Uber’s three real-life sons also deserve credit for playing his doubles in certain scenes, making the film a real canine family affair.
The cinematography is breathtaking and terrifying at times, with New Zealand being the stand-in for the Alaskan wilderness. The score by Jared Michael Fry is compelling and adds to the suspense.
With powerful and moving performances by Pitt and Uber, Heart of the Beast is a superb survival drama that shines a spotlight on soldiers, both two-legged and four-legged, and their struggles with PTSD. It’s also a beautiful tribute to the undying bond between a man and his best friend.
GRADE: B+
Rating: PG-13 for violence, bloody/injury images, some language, and peril
Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Directed By: David Ayer (The Beekeeper, Birds of Prey)
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Johnny Depp’s either playing a vampire or an alcoholic in the teaser for Liongate’s Day Drinker. Since it’s a horror film, vampire is the most likely option. But there’s also a possibility that he’s some other supernatural creature. Whatever he is, his character warns he’s not done until he says he’s done – kind of like Depp himself.
The 2027 release reunites three-time Oscar nominee Depp with his Blow,Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Murder on the Orient Express co-star Penélope Cruz.
Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks) also stars, Zach Dean wrote the screenplay, and Marc Webb (Snow White, The Amazing Spider-Man) directs and executive produces. Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Adam Kolbrenner, Zach Dean, and Nathan Kahane are the producers. Additional executive producers include Dan Friedkin, Micah Green, Daniel Steinman, Stephen Deuters, Jason Forman, Sam Sarkar, Eric Sherman, Sarah Hong, Scott LaStaiti, and Adrián Guerra.
“In Day Drinker, a private-yacht bartender (Cline) encounters a mysterious, onboard guest (Depp),” reads Lionsgate’s synopsis. “They soon find themselves entangled with a criminal figure (Cruz) and connected in ways no one saw coming.”
Day Drinker will be released in theaters on March 26, 2027.
Penélope Cruz as Cara Lazaro and Johnny Depp as Kelly in ‘Day Drinker’ (Photo Credit: Niete/Lionsgate)Madelyn Cline as Lorna (Photo Credit: Niete/Lionsgate)Johnny Depp as Kelly (Photo Credit: Niete/Lionsgate)Johnny Depp as Kelly and Madelyn Cline as Lorna (Photo Credit: Niete/Lionsgate)Penélope Cruz as Cara Lazaro (Photo Credit: Niete/Lionsgate)
Netflix’s third and final season of A Man on the Inside has just kicked off filming in San Francisco. The streamer released the first on-set photo and announced a batch of new guest stars who are joining Ted Danson for the critically acclaimed whodunit’s last season.
Danson returns to star in the titular role. Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, Stephanie Beatriz, Eugene Cordero, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sally Struthers, and Mary Steenburgen also reprise their roles for season three.
Netflix released details on who the new guest stars will be playing:
Emmy Award Nominee Annette O’Toole (Virgin River) is Kitt: a fixture in San Francisco high society and one of Coco’s oldest friends
Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters (The Good Fight) is Coco Van Beck: the Grand Dame of San Francisco society, who hires Charles to find whoever is trying to sabotage her philanthropic work.
Emmy Award Nominee Christopher McDonald (Hacks) is Leland: a playboy vineyard owner and Coco’s third ex-husband.
Diedrich Bader (Better Things) is Mark Delaurio: a powerful real estate developer who has clashed with Coco many times in the past.
Jessica St. Clair (The Studio) is Chloe: a friend of Emily’s (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) who helps her navigate a new phase in parenthood.
Emmy Award Winner Nick Offerman (Margo’s Got Money Troubles) is Jack Spencer: one of Coco’s employees who takes a special interest in Charles’s investigation.
Tony Award Nominee Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live) is Maud: Coco’s harried assistant who sleeps three hours a night and has three phones going at all times.
Emmy Award Winner Stephen Root (Widow’s Bay) is Dave: Charles’s estranged brother, who has some old scores to settle.
A Man on the Inside premiered in November 2024, and season two followed in November 2025. Netflix’s announcement didn’t include a target premiere date for the final season or details on the plot.
“This series began with a retiree taking a chance at a new life. By answering a help wanted ad and venturing out into the world, Charles Nieuwendyk made his world bigger and proved that life only slows down if you let it,” said series creator and executive producer Michael Schur. “We are thrilled to be able to conclude his journey with one final chapter, as embodied by the great Ted Danson, who I am legally required to refer to as a ‘National Treasure.’”
It’s kind of hard to make an original supernatural or paranormal movie these days. Between haunted houses and possessions, most ideas have been beaten into the ground. And while horror newcomer Benjamin Finkel’s Family may not be entirely original, it’s not something that’s seen every day, either.
Family is about a young girl named Johanna (Lucinda Lee Dawson Gray from Fleishman Is In Trouble) who is moved to a rural home in order for her and her mother (The Little Stranger’s Ruth Wilson) to care for her physically ailing father (Ben Chaplin from September 5). While getting used to her new surroundings, Johanna discovers that there seems to be an otherworldly presence existing inside of a gourd-like birdhouse that her mother gave her. At first, she thinks it might be a benevolent spirit there to help her father, but soon enough, she finds that her reality is warping and that dear old dad may not be the only one in danger.
What Benjamin Finkel has done as a writer and director with Family is create a spooky tale that walks the line between campfire ghost story and malevolent possession yarn, yet never tips its hand as to which one it really is. One minute, Johanna is peering into her birdhouse watching a strange entity, and the next, her father is speaking to her in a voice that isn’t his own. And everything is so ambiguous that the audience can’t really tell exactly what’s real and what’s all in Johanna’s head.
What makes Family different from the rest of the ghostly ghoulies movies is the fact that, at some point, Johanna decides that her parents are trying to kill her. This plays into all of the insecurities that the girl feels about the amount of time that caring for her father is taking away from her and her mother. This gives Family an added dimension of family drama. And an added layer of suspicion about what is and isn’t real.
This family dynamic also opens the door to some great performances. Lucinda Lee Dawson Gray plays Johanna with the perfect mix of fear, resentment, angst, and curiosity – you know, all the typical pre-teen stuff. Ruth Wilson portrays the exhausted and exasperated mother wonderfully, always seemingly walking the line between hugging and smacking her daughter. And Ben Chaplin actually plays two roles in one – sickly father and possessed-by-a-demon antagonist. More important than the individual performances, though, is the fact that, collectively, the three actors actually seem like a family. A dysfunctional, unhappy family, but a family, nonetheless.
From a technical perspective, Benjamin Finkel knows how to make a movie. He and cinematographer Elisha Christian (The Night House, Immaculate) paint a spooky and sinister picture in which every shadow and corner is a hiding place for evil. It’s a dark and creepy, atmospheric-looking movie.
Sound-wise, the atmosphere is also creepy, but it can be a little distracting to the point of being annoying. The sound is dynamic to a fault, where the cast will whisper indecipherably and then BAM! there’s a loud jump scare. It does help raise tension in the same way that James Wan does so well in his iconic Insidious/The Conjuring movies, but if you’re watching at home, keep your finger on the volume if you don’t want to blow your speakers (or your ears).
Despite its flaws (which, frankly, feel more like artistic choices than flaws), Family is an enjoyable film. It’s creepy and unsettling, spine-tingling and thought-provoking. And that is a rare combination these days.
GRADE: B-
Rating: PG-13 for violence, bloody images, thematic material, and terror
Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes
Release Date: September 25, 2026
