REVIEW: Redux Redux (2026 Film) - Starring Michaela McManus

Review by Jon Donnis

Redux Redux arrives with a high concept and the nerve to see it through. Written and directed by Kevin and Matthew McManus, this 2026 American science fiction thriller hinges on a brutal, intimate idea. A mother discovers a way to cross parallel universes and uses it for one purpose. To hunt down and repeatedly kill the man who murdered her daughter.

Michaela McManus takes on the role of Irene Kelly with a performance that does most of the heavy lifting. Irene has turned grief into routine. In universe after universe she tracks Neville, a seemingly ordinary restaurant cook who is anything but, and executes him with cold determination. The repetition is the point. Each jump is another attempt to claw back control in a cosmos that took everything from her.

The film's multiverse mechanics are present, but wisely kept from overwhelming the human story. Irene's machine allows her to slip between realities, though the technical detail is sketched rather than laboured over. The focus stays on what that power does to a person. In one world she saves a teenage runaway, Mia, from becoming Neville's next victim. That rescue shifts the film's centre of gravity. What begins as a revenge thriller slowly becomes something more reflective, even tender.

Stella Marcus gives Mia a wary resilience that plays beautifully against Irene's brittle intensity. Their uneasy alliance grows in fits and starts. There are gunfights, narrow escapes and a tense detour involving smugglers who want something far darker than cash in exchange for help. Yet the most compelling moments come when the action quietens and the two sit with their shared trauma. The sci fi tone holds best not when the film tries to outline the rules of its technology, but when these characters find a strange comfort in one another's pain.

Jeremy Holm's Neville is chilling precisely because he is not exaggerated. He feels plausible. That plausibility gives weight to Irene's obsession and keeps the stakes grounded even as the story hops across realities. A later turn into a universe where events unfolded very differently adds a reflective edge, without tipping into sentimentality or easy answers. The McManus brothers show real ambition here. They are interested less in spectacle and more in the emotional cost of endless second chances.

Visually, Redux Redux does show its indie roots. The scale is modest and some of the effects carry the faint roughness of a low budget production. Sets are sparse, locations limited. Yet there is a certain charm in that restraint. The stripped back aesthetic suits a story that is fundamentally about isolation. Paul Koch's agile synth score adds texture and momentum, lending the film a propulsive energy that belies its means.

There are moments where the script brushes up against exposition that feels slightly on the nose. A few exchanges about how the machine works lack the elegance found elsewhere. Still, these are minor stumbles in a film that largely trusts its audience. It is a clever and ambitious take on the multiverse, one that keeps its attention on the heart of the matter rather than getting lost in cosmic minutiae.

Above all, Redux Redux is character driven. Its approach to revenge is surprisingly humane. It asks whether vengeance, even across infinite worlds, can ever truly heal anything. McManus carries the film with a performance that is fierce, wounded and ultimately moving.

For an indie production, this feels remarkably assured. I wish Hollywood would put this kind of thought and effort into its big budget releases. As it stands, Redux Redux is one of the strongest independent releases of 2026 so far. I would comfortably give it a 9 out of 10.

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REVIEW: The Amateur (2025 film) - Starring Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne

Review by Jon Donnis

The Amateur opens with the kind of clean, deliberate setup that promises something more personal than the average revenge thriller. It gives us Charlie Heller, played by Rami Malek, a quiet, awkward CIA cryptographer whose world is shattered when his wife Sarah is killed in a terrorist attack. From the start, Malek plays Charlie like a man out of place, someone used to hiding behind code and routine rather than dealing with grief or violence. But that's what makes the early part of the film interesting. The guy who works in the basement is suddenly the one digging through classified files, finding patterns no one else has seen, and going head-to-head with his own agency.

The first act pulls you in quickly. Charlie's discovery that the CIA covered up drone strikes, and that his own boss might be responsible, adds a weight that feels different to the usual lone-agent storyline. When he demands to be trained so he can go after the killers himself, you feel like you're watching something slightly unhinged but believable. He's not slick or confident, and he's definitely not ready for the field, but that's the point. It's uncomfortable watching him learn how to make bombs or try to pull a gun on someone. His grief turns him into someone you're not sure can actually do what he's set out to do, which keeps you curious for a while.

The tension builds nicely as he travels through Europe, tracking down the people involved. The allergy clinic scene in Paris, where he traps one of the suspects in a hypobaric chamber, is the kind of low-tech, strange set piece that sticks with you. Same with the rooftop pool in Madrid, where he uses pressure to send a target plummeting through glass. There's creativity in how Charlie operates. He's not fighting like a field agent. He's thinking like someone who sees the world through equations and loopholes. It makes these encounters feel less about brute force and more about smarts, which suits the character.

But somewhere in the second half, the film starts to lose its grip. At two hours, it feels stretched well past its limit. Pacing becomes a problem. The urgency dips. Scenes linger longer than they need to, and what once felt tightly wound starts to unravel. There's too much time spent watching Charlie stew or wander. Instead of the tension rising, it starts to flatline.

The ending also doesn't deliver the punch it needs. Charlie finally confronts Schiller, the man responsible for Sarah's death, and what should be a cathartic, explosive moment plays out with a kind of cold detachment. Maybe the film wants to say something about restraint or control. But after two hours of build-up, it just doesn't land, the emotional release the film's been hinting at never really comes.

Malek is believable as someone who would rather talk to a machine than a person, but that also becomes a limitation. His version of Charlie is so inward that it's hard to stay fully connected. He grieves silently, acts alone, and rarely lets anything break the surface. You want more emotion from him, especially by the end. The people around him, including Caitríona Balfe as the mysterious Inquiline and Laurence Fishburne as his reluctant mentor, bring some spark to the film, but it's not quite enough.

There's a lot to like in the concept. Watching a non-combatant turn himself into a threat through sheer willpower has its appeal. The idea that intelligence can be more dangerous than violence is a good one. And the personal stakes are clear. But The Amateur doesn't quite know when to cut, when to push harder, or when to let go.

It starts strong, then drifts. What could have been something memorable settles into something forgettable. A tighter runtime and a more honest final act would have made all the difference.

As it stands, it's a decent thriller that plays things a little too safe. A 6 out of 10 feels fair.

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REVIEW: The Amateur (2025 film) - Starring Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, and Laurence Fishburne.

Review by Nik Donnis

The Amateur (2025), directed by James Hawes, is a gripping American vigilante action spy film that stands out from the usual flashy espionage thrillers. Starring Rami Malek as Charlie Heller, a brilliant but introverted CIA cryptographer, the movie delivers a tense, slow-burn experience for fans of the spy genre. The plot revolves around Charlie's quest for revenge after the tragic death of his wife, Sarah, in a London terrorist attack. Refusing to accept his superiors' inaction, Charlie takes matters into his own hands, setting off on a dangerous mission to track down those responsible.

Rami Malek as Charlie Heller

Plot Overview of The Amateur

Charlie Heller's life is turned upside down when his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), is killed in a terrorist attack. As a talented cryptographer at the CIA, Charlie uncovers a deadly conspiracy involving his wife's killers, including Belarusian criminal Mishka Blazhic and South African ex-special forces operative Ellish. With the CIA refusing to take action, Charlie embarks on a journey across Europe, tracking down each suspect and engaging in intense confrontations. With the help of an anonymous source, Charlie must confront his fears and the trauma of his loss as he seeks justice.

Strong Performances and Character Depth

Rami Malek's portrayal of Charlie Heller is the backbone of The Amateur. His performance perfectly captures the inner turmoil and determination of a man driven by loss and revenge. His chemistry with Laurence Fishburne, who plays his mentor, Robert Henderson, adds emotional depth to the film. The character of Charlie is well-developed, making his journey relatable and tense, while Fishburne's seasoned presence balances the young cryptographer's desperation.

Caitríona Balfe and Michael Stuhlbarg also deliver solid performances as Inquiline and the villain Horst Schiller, respectively.

Rami Malek as Charlie Heller

Action and Tension without the Over-the-Top CGI

Unlike many contemporary action spy thrillers, The Amateur doesn't rely on excessive CGI or bombastic chase scenes. Instead, the film focuses on suspense, character-driven moments, and a grounded approach to the genre. The action sequences are well-choreographed and serve the plot rather than overshadow it, maintaining a sense of realism that heightens the tension.

The Amateur: A Predictable Yet Decent Thriller

Despite its strengths, The Amateur isn't without its flaws. The film's plot, while engaging, is somewhat predictable, following a familiar revenge and conspiracy storyline. At just over two hours, the film feels a bit lengthy, and its pacing slows down in parts. While it thrives in tension and character development, the film never fully risks something bold, ultimately playing it safe. It's an enjoyable watch but not one that leaves a lasting impact on the genre.

Final Verdict: 7/10 for The Amateur

The Amateur is a decent vigilante action spy film that excels thanks to Rami Malek's solid performance and a mostly well-paced narrative that emphasizes suspense over spectacle. It may not reinvent the genre, but it delivers a satisfying experience for fans of intelligent, understated spy thrillers. Despite a predictable plot and some pacing issues (Second Act), the film is worth watching for those looking for a grounded, action-packed revenge story.