One Movie To Watch And One Not Watch

Companion

The death of a billionaire sets off a series of unexpected events for Iris and her friends during their stay at his luxurious estate. A clever thriller that tries to break away from the usual formula—and, to some extent, succeeds...

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Sophia Thatcher is the standout of the film, especially in the more "inhuman" aspects of her performance.
Original in execution, smart, and fast-paced.
Plenty of twists (best to avoid the trailer 😅).
Strong performances from the rest of the cast as well.
Attempts to explore themes of patriarchal oppression and power dynamics.
Delivers solid messages, with self-awareness being the most prominent.
Doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a big plus.

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The outcome is a bit predictable.
The tone lacks consistency from start to finish, likely due to blending multiple genres.
The humor is welcome but doesn’t always land.
If you’re expecting scares, you’ll be waiting in vain.

Parthenope

In bustling Naples, we witness the story of Parthenope—a force of nature whose journey begins in the post-war years and stretches to the present. I had heard a lot about this film. Did it win me over? Definitely not.

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The visuals and Italian scenery are as mesmerizing as expected, with direction that enhances them.
Though I didn’t like the lead actress’s performance, I have to admit she was quite photogenic.
Surprisingly, I liked the ending, with the more mature version of Parthenope.
Well-crafted cinematography.
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Excessively long—I got bored in several parts.
Definitely not a film for mainstream audiences.
I don’t know if you’ll agree, but to me, the lead actress felt weak, bland, and lifeless in a role that theoretically should have been the complete opposite.
Lots of philosophical musings but little action—mostly empty rambling that exposes the weak script.
Plenty of allegories, but I think they lose their meaning.
Pacing issues.
Most of the characters feel decorative rather than essential.