Latest news with #TheSubstance
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Amazon Prime fans say twisted new horror flick will 'haunt your mind'
The Ugly Stepsister is a new horror movie that takes a dark and twisted look at the fairytale of Cinderella, and Amazon Prime viewers are not sure whether they can handle it Released earlier in 2025, the new horror flick The Ugly Stepsister has been making waves on Amazon Prime among aficionados of the genre, with glowing reviews flooding the internet. The Ugly Stepsister is a Norwegian-language satirical dark film marking the directorial debut of Emilie Blichfeldt. It's a twisted reimagining of the classic fairy tale Cinderella, where Elvira, the ugly stepsister, competes against her beautiful sibling for physical perfection to catch the prince's eye, resorting to extreme measures to impress him. Several reviews have drawn parallels between its exploration of women's beauty standards and patriarchal flaws and those depicted in the Oscar-winning film The Substance. One critique on Rotten Tomatoes reads: "If The Substance turned it up to 11, The Ugly Stepsister clocks in at a solid 10. "A retelling of Cinderella told from the perspective of Cinderella's step-family members, this film comments as well on the awful lengths women will go to to enhance their beauty. Like The Substance, this film was also made by a woman director with a focused, cinematic style that conveys the story and commentary with admirable clarity and brevity." Another review enthuses: "Highly enjoyed the hell out of this and really admired the heartbreaking, twisted, dark take by director Emilie Blichfeldt on the legendary Cinderella story with a different psychological horror perspective from the evil stepsister. The cinematography by Marcel Zyskind is mesmerising, bringing a suffocating cold atmosphere that will haunt the mind." The film features several disturbing scenes, as per the Mirror US, including the young women undergoing a series of painful plastic surgeries, with one sister even resorting to swallowing a tapeworm in a desperate attempt to lose weight. As their behaviour spirals out of control, Elviria becomes malnourished and starts to lose her hair, all while preparing for a grand ball where their prince awaits. Emilie Blichfeldt has garnered significant attention for her work on this film, serving as both director and scriptwriter. Having previously worked on smaller film projects, this marks her first major success following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Despite featuring a lesser-known Norwegian cast, The Ugly Stepsister has had a profound impact on viewers, with Lea Myren and Thea Sofie Loch Næss delivering standout performances as the two rival sisters. Their portrayals have been hailed as a "breath of fresh air," and when paired with the powerful script, have sparked a much broader conversation. One viewer praised the film, stating: "It has poignant body horror to go along with the themes of body dysmorphia and narcissism with a heavy synth score reminiscent of the dark fantasy subgenre of the 1980s. It ties in elements of the Brothers Grimm fairytale as well as elements of the beloved Disney classic film. Another critic hailed the movie, stating: "This film is a wild ride! A dark, twisted take on the Cinderella story that dives deep into themes of beauty and envy. The body horror elements are intense, and the performances are top-notch. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you're into psychological horror with a fairy tale twist, this one's for you." With its substantial body horror components and superb acting, this film isn't for the squeamish. But for those intrigued by a psychological terror with an enchanted spin, this flick is a must. For those in pursuit of a spine-chilling viewing experience, The Ugly Stepsister can be streamed presently on Amazon Prime.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Echo Valley' movie review: Julianne Moore shines in this routine thriller
A horse farm in Pennsylvania serves as the setting for this rural noir. Written by Brad Ingelsby, the brains behind the stunning Mare of Easttown, Echo Valley is a by-the-numbers thriller made watchable by the luminescent Julianne Moore. Grieving for the death of her wife in a riding accident, Kate (Julianne Moore), is struggling to run Echo Valley, a horse farm, they ran together. When the contractor gloomily says repairing the roof would cost $9,000, Kate asks her wealthy ex-husband, Richard, (Kyle MacLachlan) for the money. Echo Valley (English) Director: Michael Pearce Cast: Julianne Moore, Sydney Sweeney, Domhnall Gleeson, Kyle MacLachlan, Fiona Shaw Runtime: 103 minutes Storyline: A grieving widow goes to extreme lengths to keep her troubled daughter safe Richard unwillingly writes her cheque, chastising her for indulging their heroin-addicted daughter, Claire (Sydney Sweeney), who is in and out of rehab. Richard also tells Kate to sell the farm as it is not turning a profit and it does not make sense to throw good money after bad. Late one night, Claire visits Kate, dragging in all her problems as well. There is her druggie boyfriend, Ryan (Edmund Donovan), the scary drug dealer, Jackie (Domhnall Gleeson), a deficit of $10,000 and a body to dispose off. Kate is willing to go any lengths to protect Claire, who knows it and manipulates her mother. Though there is a body and a police investigation, Echo Valley is more of a relationship drama with thriller elements thrown in. That the said ingredients would hardly have you gnawing your nails in suspense wondering what happens next, does not do the mercifully short movie any favours. Echo Valley is propped by excellent acting starting with Moore who invests so much into her character that we are forced to do the same. She is tough and broken, grieving and warm, caring and razor sharp. Sweeney is excellent as the damaged Clair who is like a wrecking ball destroying everything in her path. Gleeson makes it easy to hate the execrable Jackie, which says a lot about his acting prowess. Fiona Shaw (Maarva from Andor) as Kate's best friend, Jessie, provides a hearty anchor to all the fraught proceedings. Produced by Ridley Scott and Ingelsby, among others, another plus in Echo Valley's court is Benjamin Kračun's (Promising Young Woman, The Substance) lovely frames. There seems to be a misty beauty to the constant rain, the rolling greens and the serene lake. The horses as always are a sight for sore eyes and there is also the dog, Cooper, who knows more than he is letting on. Not as nuanced as it could have been, Echo Valley's cast and cinematography manage to make it watchable. Echo Valley is currently streaming on Apple TV+
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mubi Responds to Backlash Over New Investor's Ties to Israeli Defense-Tech Startup
Mubi, the upstart distributor, streaming platform and production company that was recently valued at $1 billion and guided 'The Substance' to box office success and into the Oscars, has responded to backlash over its latest source of investment. At the end of May, it was announced that the company — which went on a buying spree at the recent Cannes Film Festival, snapping up rights to eight films in competition (including a $24 million splurge on the Jennifer Lawrence-Robert Pattinson starring 'Die My Love') — had secured a $100 million investment from Sequoia Capital. More from Variety Jim Jarmusch's 'Father Mother Sister Brother' Starring Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver Confirmed for Venice Competition, Says Mubi Boss Mubi Expands Theatrical Operations to Italy With Former Lucky Red Exec Gabriele D'Andrea in Charge Mubi Acquires Oliver Laxe's Cannes Competition Entry 'Sirât' for Italy, Turkey and India The Silicon Valley-based Sequoia has invested in a wide range of companies, including the likes of Apple, Google, ByteDance, Cisco, and Nvidia. Mubi marks a rare foray into entertainment. But Sequoia is also closely tied to Israelo defence-tech startup Kela, founded in July 2024 by four veterans of Israeli intelligence units in response to the terror attacks of Oct. 7 and more than six months into the invasion of Gaza. Kela is currently developing a battlefield operating system enabling militaries to integrate AI and commercial tech. According to Sequoia's website, it led Kela's $10 million seed funding round last year. In May of this year, Kela secured an additional $60 million in investment in a funding round also backed by Sequoia (alongside Lux Capital and In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the CIA). Kela's total investment now stands at $100 million. 'The vision is two-fold: in the short term, to upgrade Israel's internal defense capabilities,' wrote Sequoia in a lengthy article about its business with Kela posted in March of this year. 'The company's initial focus is border protection, an urgent priority post-October 7th. In the long term, the ambition is to convert Israel into a defense tech hub for Western militaries—a source of strategic advantage for NATO and the U.S. as they seek to deter their adversaries.' Mubi receiving investment from a company with ties to the Israeli defense sector in the midst of Israel's deadly war in Gaza has fallen foul of some online critics. Several on social media have called for Mubi to be boycotted and have claimed that they've already canceled their subscriptions. A widely shared post on X said it was 'time to add @mubi to the BDS list,' referring to the Palestinian-led Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement that looks to boycott Israeli products and encourage investors to divest from companies implicated in Israeli policies. A group called Film Workers for Palestine later said it was 'horrified' by Mubi's decision. 'This is unacceptable, and we demand that Mubi return the investment,' it wrote in a well-circulated Instagram post. In a statement posted to its social media channels on Saturday, Mubi said the rationale to seek investment from Seqouia was to 'accelerate our mission of delivering bold and visionary films to global audiences,' adding that the venture firm had a '50-plus year history of partnering with founders to help turn their ideas into world-changing businesses.' 'Over the last several days, some members of our community have commented on the decision to work with Sequoia given their investment in Israeli companies and the personal opinions expressed by one of their partners,' it said. 'The beliefs of individual investors do not reflect the views of MUBI.' First founded 18 years ago by CEO Efe Carakal, Mubi has evolved from a niche streaming service to a full-fledged studio, cultivating a major following in the art-house crowd along the way. While it has largely remained politically muted, last year it cancelled an entire festival it had planned in Turkey after local authorities banned a screening of Luca Guadagnino's 'Queer' over what they described as 'provocative content.' As has been pointed out online, Mubi has numerous Palestinian films and features by Palestinian filmmakers about Gaza in its library. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mubi CEO on Pushing Into Production and That Huge Cannes Haul
Arthouse streamer and distributor Mubi is planning to work on not more than 12 movies annually but is already up to 15 movies this year after a hot streak picking up a slew of Cannes Film Festival buzz titles – and the Venice Film Festival has not even started yet, CEO and founder Efe Cakarel told SXSW London on Friday in an energetic appearance that had the crowd engaged late in a busy week. Cakarel shared his love of the cinema-going experience early in his appearance, saying, 'I really focus on theatrical,' and 'I am very committed to these films getting as wide a release in cinemas as possible.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Canal+ to Distribute Netflix in Francophone Africa in Landmark Pact Enzo Staiola, Child Star in Vittorio De Sica's 'Bicycle Thieves,' Dies at 85 Wes Anderson Shares How Indian Cinema Legend Satyajit Ray Shaped His Aesthetic Last year, Mubi released The Substance globally, he highlighted. 'It turns out distribution is not rocket science,' Cakarel concluded, adding that the firm is launching theatrical in Italy next. Mubi was on a streak at Cannes, picking up rights in select markets to competition titles The Secret Agent from writer and director Kleber Mendonça Filho, Sentimental Value, Joachim Trier's latest feature, Mascha Schilinski's Sound of Falling (In Die Sonne Schauen), and Lynne Ramsay's Jennifer Lawrence-Robert Pattinson starrer Die My Love. The latter deal came with a $24 million price tag, the biggest known and announced during the festival. He joked that his team is 'freaking out' after Mubi's strong Cannes run – in a good way. Production is also a big new area for the company after Mubi debuted its first production at Cannes, namely Kelly Reichardt's The Mastermind. 'We want to produce more' great films and series, he shared. Mubi is, for example, a co-producer on the new Jim Jarmusch movie, Father Mother Sister Brother, which stars Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Indya Moore, and Luka Sabbat. Cakarel mentioned on Friday that it is set to screen at Venice. Cakarel also shared on Friday that Mubi was 'profitable' by 2020. With 60 percent first-quarter 2020 subscriber growth amid the COVID pandemic, the company experienced strong cash flow growth, which allowed Mubi to invest and grow further. The company's headcount has also grown to 400 people in 15 countries, he explained. The company has increasingly picked up movies not only for streaming but also for theatrical distribution. Mubi chief content officer Jason Ropell highlighted the role of streaming in the indie film space last year, saying: 'The streaming component of the ecosystem has actually broadened the audience for multiple kinds of film, including independent film. There's a generation of viewers, of customers, of cinephiles that have been exposed to films, which they would not have but for that technology, for the access to streaming.'Last year, Mubi acquired The Substance at Cannes, prepping the title for what would go on to be an Oscar run for Coralie Fargeat's body horror thriller. SXSW London runs through June 7. Penske Media, the parent company of The Hollywood Reporter, is the majority stakeholder of SXSW. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts Hollywood Stars Who Are One Award Away From an EGOT 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Demi Moore, 62, Calls Psychic Best Friend Her ‘Greatest Gift'
Demi Moore, 62, Calls Psychic Best Friend Her 'Greatest Gift' originally appeared on Parade. Demi Moore's Oscar-nominated comeback has taken Hollywood by storm, but her longtime friend and psychic, , may have seen it coming all along. 'I've met many who have gifts of this nature, but there are none who have the precision that Laura has,' Moore, 62, told HELLO! 'My greatest gift is the closeness of our friendship and the second is the encouragement she gives me in trusting myself. If I'm uncertain but have an instinct, I have someone who helps me clarify. And most often, it is accurate to me.' Day's intuition paid off when Moore signed on for The Substance, the groundbreaking horror film that earned Moore a standing ovation at Cannes, a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, and her first-ever Academy Award nomination. 'I've been doing this over 45 years and this is the first time I've ever won anything as an actor,' the actress said during her emotional Golden Globes speech in January. Moore and Day met 37 years ago and have remained close ever since. As noted by HELLO!, Day has helped Moore deepen her intuition, while Moore has pushed Day to bring her psychic work to the public. That dynamic was on display at the star-studded launch for Day's latest book, The Prism: Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transform Your Future, held at the Beverly Hills home of super-agent Kevin Huvane. Other guests included Kathy Hilton, Monica Lewinsky, Florence Given, and Moore's daughter, Scout Willis. Reflecting on Moore's recent success, Day called it a 'miracle moment,' telling HELLO!: 'A miracle does take a moment; it's an encounter, it's a tiny change, it's a little bit of help, and you will find your entire life changes.' Demi Moore, 62, Calls Psychic Best Friend Her 'Greatest Gift' first appeared on Parade on Jun 3, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
