Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2025, or week 40 if you prefer. Yep we are now 40 weeks in to this journey (out of 50) and that means a heck of a lot of films have already been reviewed this year.
But don’t worry, many, many more movies are on the way. In fact this week there are reviews for the British drama, Steve; the romantic picture, The Threesome; and the doggy horror, Good Boy.
Plus this week, classic ‘90s anime, Perfect Blue returns to UK cinemas (you don’t want to miss this one), and if that wasn’t enough, Disney’s sci-fi action blockbuster, Tron: Ares speeds its way onto the big screen. So, another pretty packed edition, right?
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Now streaming…
Steve (2025)
First up this week, is the British drama, Steve. Directed by Tim Mielants from a screenplay by Max Porter (which in turn is based on Porter’s 2023 novella, Shy), Steve stars Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman, and Emily Watson, and follows the story of a teacher at a school for boys.
In the movie, the year is 1996 and Steve works as the headteacher at Stanton Wood Manor – a private school for boys with behavioural problems. Every day Steve tries his best to keep the students on the straight and narrow, but it seems like he’s fighting a losing battle.
Keeping tabs on the school is a documentary crew who are conducting a special report. They are asking the all-important question: Is this school up to the task of dealing with problematic pupils?
But while Steve is focused on showing the students and the school in the best possible light, and balancing a visit with a local MP, he faces another new challenge. The School Trust has plans to close the school imminently.
Playing out like a mix between a hard-hitting docu-drama and an episode of Waterloo Road, Steve offers a fairly compelling look at life inside an educational facility which is rundown, run dry, and running out of time.
The teachers are trying, but there are no easy fixes. It all comes down to perseverance, determination, and a bit of luck.
However, as Steve discovers, even the best will in the world can’t save the school. And as the pressure piles on, it gets harder for him to cope, and things begin to unravel.
With a superb performance from Cillian Murphy, as well as some smart direction from Tim Mielants, Steve is decent drama with the acting talent to back it up. It’s very much a character picture, with Steve’s struggles playing a significant role in the story, but if you are after a good drama to sink into then Steve is likely for you.
It won’t be for everyone, but even those less interested in the trials and tribulations of a troubled school, can appreciate Murphy being on fine form. So, take it for what it is and invest your time accordingly.
Should you wish to check out Steve, the movie is now available to stream on Netflix.
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Now streaming…
The Threesome (2025)
Sticking with streaming for this next offering, the romantic comedy-drama, The Threesome. Directed by Chad Hartigan, and starring Jonah Hauer-King, Zoey Deutch, and Ruby Cruz, the movie focuses on a single guy who ends up in a difficult romantic entanglement.
In the movie, thirty-year-old Connor is visiting his friend Greg at the bar he works at, when the pair notice a woman sat alone. Greg encourages Connor to go and talk to the woman (later revealed to be Jenny), which Connor agrees to, and the pair hit it off.
Thing is, Connor has feelings for Olivia, a waitress who also works at the bar and who Connor previously had a fling with. He only agrees to talk to Jenny to get Olivia to notice him, and maybe show some interest again.
Anyway, one thing leads to another and Connor, Olivia, and Jenny go to a club. Later that night, and spurred on by Olivia, the trio hook up and have a threesome.
The sex seems to work for everyone, and the next day it helps reignite a spark between Connor and Olivia. However, things get complicated when Olivia and Jenny both fall pregnant.
With likeable performances from the central trio, some light touches of comedy, and a solid story, The Threesome makes for captivating viewing. It adds a new wrinkle to the standard rom-com-drama by chucking in a double pregnancy dilemma, and it’s an interesting dilemma for the film to mull over.
Unlike some movies, which might centre the drama around awkwardness in the three-way sex-sesh, the main sticking point here is the baby fall-out afterwards. All three enjoyed the sex, the problem comes with the two pregnancies, and how to navigate this unexpected development.
Soon-to-be grandparents are now involved, there are doctor appointments and baby showers, and that’s when disagreements and arguments follow. A further complication is then thrown into the mix down the road, adding another twist in this already twisty tale.
This new development keeps things flowing, it keeps things interesting, and ultimately it keeps the drama going until the credits roll. The good thing about The Threesome is it doesn’t climax early and ends up going the distance.
There’s a bittersweet strand that runs throughout The Threesome, but one which is well placed and well handled. With a title like The Threesome you might think this is a disposable, saucy picture, with characters swinging from the light shades, but in reality this film has more going for it.
There’s joy and sadness, which comes when adults make adult decisions, and there’s a complicated love story to navigate. There’s also more depth than you might expect.
Surprising in a good way, The Threesome is not your average romantic movie. Should you wish to take a look, the film is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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In cinemas…
Good Boy (2025)
Over to the cinema now for the low budget supernatural horror, Good Boy. Directed and co-written by Ben Leonberg (his feature film debut no less), and featuring a performance from Leonberg’s own pet pooch, the movie focuses on a dog and his owner, who appear to have become the target of a sinister presence.
In the movie, Todd and his faithful dog, Indy leave their home in New York to move to Todd’s family farmhouse in the woods. Todd has recently had health issues, and is keen to go somewhere quiet.
But as Todd and Indy set out on a new chapter away from the hustle and bustle, Indy is aware of something lurking in the background. A strange figure seems to be following Todd, which only Indy notices.
As Indy becomes fearful of the dark presence, he also becomes more protective of Todd. But can Indy save his owner from whatever is hiding in the shadows?
Relatively brief (the film is only 73 minutes long) and told from the dog’s perspective, Good Boy offers a short, sharp burst of horror and psychological thrills. It’s the sort of film which sets up a simple premise, gives audiences suitable peril to focus on, and then lets events unfold accordingly.
And unfold they do, with Indy the focal point of the drama. In the movie, Indy plays himself, he has to carry the entire film on his hairy shoulders, and every step of the way he proves he is the titular ‘good boy’.
As acting talent goes, Indy is up there with Lassie and the Littlest Hobo. His beautiful little face (awwww) carries a smorgasbord of emotions, while his ickle toes (awwww) and wonderful waggy tail (awwww), and soft fur… and…
…sorry, where was I? Oh, yeah, Indy is a fine actor, and a great dog! The film benefits from having him involved.
Outside of Indy, Good Boy is an interesting little picture which has an intriguing narrative, some effective camera work, and one or two moments which tug at the heartstrings. The film plays on the audiences’ emotional attachment to Indy (as well as a general empathy for dogs) and this keeps investment levels high.
But beyond this, there’s also the sense filmmaker Ben Leonberg and his co-writer, Alex Cannon are drawing from their own experiences with this film. There’s more to Good Boy than just things going bump in the night, and this ultimately makes it a personal picture about mortality and loss, which some pet owners will relate to all-too-well.
As the credits roll, the film certainly leaves you with something to think about, which is the mark of a good movie. OK, so Good Boy isn’t perfect, and some may come away wanting a little more, but for a picture shot on a shoestring and featuring a dog as the lead actor, this is admirable stuff.
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In cinemas…
Perfect Blue (1997)
Sticking with the cinema for the re-release of director Satoshi Kon’s anime, Perfect Blue. The 1997 psychological thriller is back on the big screen for a LIMITED time (you’ve been warned), and returns with an all-new 4K restoration.
If you’re not familiar with Perfect Blue, the movie focuses on a young woman who finds herself becoming the target of a stalker. Things then take a sinister turn when the stalker starts to get in her head.
In the film, after two-and-a-half years as a member of girl group, CHAM, Mima Kirigoe quits pop stardom to become an actress. But while Mima is trying to launch her new career, she becomes aware of a bizarre website titled ‘Mima’s Room’, which features diary entries supposedly written from her perspective.
Whoever is writing the diary entries seems to know a little too much about Mima’s life. It’s as if they have tapped into her inner thoughts, and are very keen to highlight the negatives about her post-pop life.
As Mima begins to struggle with the content being published on the website, as well as struggling with a difficult acting role she is working on, she experiences a mental health crisis. Meanwhile, a series of murders take place across the city, with the victims sharing a connection to Mima.
Is she involved with the crimes or is this the work of a stalker? One thing’s for sure, Mima’s psyche is taking a hit and reality and fantasy is beginning to blend into one.
With a dark, unsettling storyline, as well as some superb animation, Perfect Blue is a disturbing yet mesmerising anime. It is often regarded as one of the best of the 1990s, and if you adore psychological horror/thrillers from this decade (Seven, Fight Club, Silence of the Lambs, etc) then Perfect Blue is a must-watch.
The film’s twisting narrative, as well as its depiction of a young woman suffering with her mental health provides plenty of material to get lost in. To add to this, there are some creepy visuals, as well as a thrilling central mystery.
Should you wish to catch the 4K re-release of Perfect Blue at the cinema, the movie is playing in select UK cinemas from October 10th. Perfect Blue will screen for a limited time only, so it is advisable to check local listings and book as soon as you can.
However, should a cinema visit not be on the cards, the movie is heading to 4K disc in December. It’s an all-bells-and-whistles special edition release, so get your wallets ready.
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In cinemas…
Tron: Ares (2025)
And finally, speeding onto cinema screens this week, via a lightcycle or two, is the sci-fi action adventure movie, Tron: Ares. Directed by Joachim Rønning and starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson, and Jeff Bridges, the movie is the latest entry in the Tron movie series.
For those struggling to keep track, the series began with 1982’s Tron, continued with 2010’s Tron: Legacy, and now arrives at Tron: Ares in 2025. That’s twenty-eight years between the first and second film, and fifteen between movies two and three.
Yes, those are sizeable gaps between the release of each entry, but at least the timeframe is getting shorter. This means, if you’re a Tron fan you can take comfort in the knowledge we’re probably due another one at some point before the Sun runs out of fuel.
Is this a good thing? Well, if you’re invested in the Tron universe it is.
Unfortunately for Disney not everyone is. The Tron films make money, and are notable for being visually or audibly spectacular, but they don’t seem to excite audiences in the way other franchises do.
It could be due to the lengthy release schedule, or it could be because the stories simply aren’t strong enough. Either way, there is some disconnect.
And unfortunately we may see the same thing again for this latest offering, which looks good and sounds great, but is as hollow as a chocolate Easter egg. From a visual standpoint Tron: Ares is top notch, and yep, the soundtrack is bitchin’, but the narrative is paper thin and the whole thing is unlikely to whip audiences up into a frenzy.
The story this time around focuses on AI – a subject matter which seemed topical and interesting some years ago (when a few films started focusing on it), but is sadly becoming quite tired now. Anyway, high tech company, Dillinger Systems has been toiling away on a new program titled Ares, which revolves around the creation of an artificially intelligent and highly expendable soldier.
Through cutting edge systems Ares can be brought into the real world as a physical form, however, there is one key problem. Ares can only maintain a physical structure for 29 minutes before breaking down and returning to cyberspace.
So, when rival company, ENCOM manages to create a permanence code, which could keep AI beings like Ares in the real world indefinitely, Dillinger Systems’ CEO Julian Dillinger wants to get his hands on the code. As such, he sends Ares and fellow AI being, Athena into the world to obtain the code at any cost.
Will he achieve his goal? More importantly will anyone stay awake to find out?
Dull, far too long, and at times VERY, VERY LOUD, Tron: Ares is for the most part a disappointing misfire. Sure, there are moments which look fun and are occasionally slick, but they are few and far between and the majority of the runtime involves stuff and things going on that hold little appeal and do nothing to capture the attention.
Essentially this film is a case of style over substance. It can dazzle you with special effects for a minute, but the next half-an-hour it bores you into a stupor with a lacklustre plot that was presumably penned during a coffee break.
The best thing to say about Tron: Ares is that the film has a beginning, a middle, and an end – which is at least something. Beyond this there’s not much going on.
And don’t look to the cast for any help getting you through it, because most are wasted in naff parts that offer very little. Evan Peters spends the majority of the movie SHOUTING or frantically tapping on keyboards; Gillian Anderson is completely cast a drift in a role which gives her nothing to do; and Greta Lee does her best as a fairly one-dimensional ENCOM CEO.
Oh, and then there is Jared Leto, who plays the part of Ares. Leto is a Marmite actor at the best of times, who you either like or you don’t, but here he is just a charisma vacuum who sucks the atmosphere from every scene he is in.
And to be clear, he’s in a lot of scenes. So, yeah, that’s a lot of sucking.
On the plus side, and as noted above, Tron: Ares looks nice, while the soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails is grand. The sound mix is TOO LOUD, but it’s great nonetheless, and gives off an ‘80s John Carpenter vibe which is always welcome.
But yeah, that’s about it. The novelty wears off very, very quickly, and there’s not much else I’m afraid.
Watching Tron: Ares is the equivalent of watching someone play laser tag. It looks a lot of fun, but unless you’re running around getting involved yourself, what’s the point?
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Movie of the Week
Onto Movie of the Week and this week the title goes to Perfect Blue. The film is considered one of the greatest anime for a reason and it is always worth a watch.
And should you like Perfect Blue, you may also wish to check out the following anime from director Satoshi Kon:
- Millennium Actress (2001) – A drama about two documentary filmmakers investigating the life of a retired acting legend.
- Tokyo Godfathers (2003) – A Christmas-set adventure film about three homeless people who discover a new-born baby on the street and set out to find its parents.
- Paprika (2006) – Surrealist sci-fi fantasy about a battle between ‘dream terrorist’ who causes nightmares and a dream detective.
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Forthcoming attractions
As noted earlier, there are just ten editions left until Movie Reviews 2025 concludes; but don’t panic, because there is so much more to come between now and the end of the year. In fact, notable films on the horizon over the coming weeks and months include Roofman, Black Phone 2, Frankenstein, The Twits, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Predator: Badlands, The Running Man, and Wicked: For Good.
Plus, Zootopia 2, Wake Up Dead Man, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash are all on the way. And of course, many other movies in between.
So, be sure to come back next week to see what’s on offer. And in the meantime, happy viewing!
Alex
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this edition of Movie Reviews 2025. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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