Welcome to Movie Reviews 2026. It’s week two, the weather is atrocious here in the UK, and the summer seems a bit too far away for anyone’s liking. Boo.
But don’t fret, there’s plenty of distractions to be found in the world of film. And that’s exactly where we’re headed right now.
So, what is on the horizon? Well, how about reviews for Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and Rental Family? Oh, and let’s chuck in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple too.
That work for you? Great. Then let’s crack on with this week’s selection of cinematic delights.
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In cinemas…
Hamnet (2025)
First up this week is the biographical historical drama, Hamnet. Directed and co-written by Chloé Zhao, and based on Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name, Hamnet stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal and provides a dramatisation of the life and marriage of William Shakespeare and Agnes Hathaway.
The movie details their initial meeting, the early days of their courtship, and the development of their relationship as Agnes falls pregnant and William’s career takes off. Hamnet also zeroes in on the conflict from their respective families, to create a compelling love story.
However, the key element of the narrative, and arguably the defining moment in the film, is the unexpected death of their son, Hamnet who passes away at the age of 11. Hamnet’s death plays a significant impact in the story, which affects the journey both Agnes and William go on as the rest of the film plays out.
Emotive, heartbreaking, and beautifully crafted, Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet is a striking picture. It’s a historical drama, a folk tale, and a tragedy all rolled into one.
The first section of the move is a whimsical love story, bathed in romance; the back section is an exploration of grief, and the toll it takes on those involved; while the midsection deals with the passing of the titular Hamnet. It’s a moment in the film which shapes everything around it, and is truly devastating.
And then to add to this are the performances from Mescal and Buckley which are superb. Actually, let’s tweak that. Mescal is superb. Buckley is a powerhouse of excellence.
Her performance in Hamnet is Oscar-worthy. Buckley is brilliant in everything (EVERYTHING!), but here she is at the very top of her game, delivering a rollercoaster of emotions that range from elation and effervescence, to sadness and fragility.
Hamnet is a powerful movie, there’s no denying it, and Chloé Zhao’s direction is fantastic, but this is Buckley’s movie and shining moment. She lifts every scene, conveys every painstaking detail of being a grief-stricken mother, and is the driving force of the film.
If you want to see Buckley at her absolute best, it’s here.
Does Hamnet work for everyone? No, I don’t believe it does, and before you dive in you may want to consider if this is a film for you.
Hamnet is set in the 16th Century, and is essentially a film about the relationship between Shakespeare and Hathaway, as well as their insurmountable grief. If this doesn’t sound like something you are interested in, then this may not be for you, and that’s fine.
But for those who do wish to take a look, and who are ready to connect with the material, this is an effective drama to get lost in. Buckley gives it her all, Mescal continues to prove what a talent he is, and Zhao delivers as you might expect from an Oscar-winning director of her calibre.
Should you wish to check it out, Hamnet is now playing in UK cinemas. In the US, the film was released in late November, so you should still be able to catch it on the big screen if you’re quick.
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In cinemas…
Marty Supreme (2025)
Onto movie number two, which is the sports drama-comedy, Marty Supreme. Directed by Josh Safdie, and starring Timothée Chalamet, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, and Gwyneth Paltrow, the movie follows the story of a former shoe salesman who dreams of making it big in the world of table tennis.
In the movie, the year is 1952 and New York salesman Marty Mauser is an aspiring champ with a lot of determination to reach the table tennis big leagues. Only problem is, Marty lacks the funds to get him where he wants to be.
After quitting his job, smart-talking Marty sets out to give it his all, no matter the cost. Unfortunately en route he finds himself getting sidetracked by a missing dog, a pregnancy, and an affair with a married actress.
Now, it’s important to note that at this time of year, and for the next few months, we are firmly in award season, which is why we got a great performance from Jessie Buckley in Hamnet, and why we also get an equally great performance from Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme. This film is worth your time and no mistake, and has fab direction from Josh Safdie, but once again all eyes are on the star of the picture as this is very much his movie.
From the first moment Chalamet appears on screen, to the final scene before the credits roll, the actor is on fire. It’s as if he chugged 12 cans of Monster every day before appearing on set.
He’s charged, super-energised, and full of beans. This is Chalamet cranked up to 11 and with every gesture, every line of dialogue, and every expression, he owns the whole damn picture.
It’s difficult at this time of year not to just focus on performances, but it would be a crime (a crime I tells ya) not to just bang on about what he does in this film. Chalamet is on fire throughout the movie and he takes the audience everywhere he goes – and as Marty, he goes to some crazy places.
While this film begins in an ordinary, run-of-the-mill shoe shop, it jumps around from location, to location, to location, taking in some surprising places and situations along the way. One particular highlight involves a sequence with Marty, a bathtub, and a mobster, while another involves a table tennis paddle and Marty’s bare bum.
So, yeah, you get a lot of Chalamet. And it’s all frightfully good stuff!
Outside of the film’s lead star (I guess we should talk about other things), Safdie’s direction is highly enjoyable, while the script from Safdie and co-writer Ronald Bronstein is filled with fun moments and utter madness. The brilliance of Marty Supreme is that it is masterfully controlled chaos, which means you never quite know where it is going to go next, but you never worry that it’s going to lose itself in the process.
There’s a real energy to what’s presented and it’s easy to get caught up in the drama. Similar to 2019’s Uncut Gems – a film co-directed by Safdie and his brother Benny – it’s mesmerising viewing and a damn good picture.
Should you wish to check it out, Marty Supreme is currently playing in UK and US cinemas. It is a lengthy film, clocking in at 150 minutes, but it never sits still and the time flies by.
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In cinemas…
Rental Family (2025)
Up next is the heartfelt drama-comedy, Rental Family. Directed and co-written by Hikari, and starring Brendan Fraser, the movie follows the story of an actor who is hired as a ‘stand-in’ family member and/or friend for a number of clients.
In the film, Phillip Vanderploeg is a lonely American actor living in Japan. A few years back, Phillip had some success with a toothpaste commercial, but his acting work has largely dried up and he takes what gigs he can get.
One day, Phillip is approached by the owner of Rental Family – a company which specialises in providing stand-in family members and friends to those who need them. After some slight hesitation, Phillip agrees to work for the company and is quickly hired for various jobs, including being a stand-in father to a young girl.
Touching, poignant, and a real delight to watch, Rental Family is a lovely little film which touches upon loneliness, well-meaning deception, and the importance of human connection. During the course of the narrative Phillip becomes a key figure in multiple lives, and the film demonstrates the power this can have on individual journeys.
Sure, he’s being paid to be a friend or family member to his clients, and generally the truth is hidden from those he befriends, but the outcome is largely a positive one. Sometimes we all need someone to connect with – even Phillip – and Rental Family explores the constructive influence others can bring to our lives.
Leading the movie is Brendan Fraser who gives a sensitive performance. Yes, I’m here to bang on about performances once again (hey, I told you, it’s awards season), but Fraser’s involvement in this film can’t be understated.
There is a gentleness and calming quality to Fraser which carries through his work, and it is very much on display here. Phillip isn’t a con artist, he’s just a lonely guy providing what he comes to believe is a helpful service, and Fraser conveys this effortlessly.
Other actors might over egg the pudding, or add a hard edge to the role. Fraser doesn’t do this, and pitches it just right, to ensure the audience remains on Phillip’s side all the way through the story.
He’s then backed up by stellar direction from Hikari, as well as a sweet-natured story which floats along wonderfully. Rental Family is lovely to watch, and has a great balance of comedy and drama.
Rental Family doesn’t arrive with all the big hoopla that some films have, and the movie’s softer approach to storytelling might mean it gets overlooked, but don’t let this one pass you by. The movie is a gem of a picture with a strong turn from Brendan Fraser, as well as a story which plays the right notes in exactly the right order.
There are some great films out this week, and Rental Family is one of them. Should you wish to take a look, the movie is playing in UK cinemas from Friday and should still be available in some US cinemas (it was released in late November).
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In cinemas…
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)
And finally, new to cinemas this week is the post-apocalyptic horror sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Directed by Nia DaCosta, and starring Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Erin Kellyman, the movie picks up after the events of last year’s 28 Years Later, with the heroic Spike caught up with Sir Jimmy’s cult of killers.
Meanwhile, as Dr. Kelson finds himself gravitating closer to the infected Alpha, Samson, he may have found a way to reach the humanity hidden within the monster. If science created the infected, then maybe science can fix the problem.
But as Kelson inches nearer to solving the problem, he has something more pressing to contend with. Sir Jimmy and his cult start sniffing around, believing Kelson to be more than a mere doctor.
Arriving hot on the heels of 28 Years Later (which was only released six months ago), 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple picks up the story with barely a pause for breath. The previous film ended with Spike surrounded by the Jimmy cult, and The Bone Temple effectively begins with the next scene.
And it’s a brutal opening sequence, which not only makes it clear we are back in deadly territory, but also makes it clear evil is everywhere and not just in the infected. The zombie-like antagonists of 28 Years Later might still be lurking in the background, but they aren’t the worst things around – that would be the Jimmys.
They are sick, sadistic, and uncompromising. The Jimmys are humanity at its very worst, and they are Spike’s new nightmare.
Incidentally, Spike takes a bit of a backseat in this film (more about that in a moment), but whenever he is on screen with the Jimmys he is in danger. He knows it, they know it, and the audience knows it, which instantly injects this latest movie with a sense of tension, suspense, and danger, upping the ante somewhat.
The Bone Temple has some genuine moments of terror and some gruesome scenes too. The previous film spent a great deal of time making sure we all liked Spike, and this movie pays all that off by putting him in a precarious situation.
Does he escape? You’ll have to watch to find out, and of course you’ll want to watch as The Bone Temple is a worthy sequel, which is as good as what came before.
Director Nia DaCosta picks up the baton from 28 Years Later director Danny Boyle and runs with it. The result is a movie which is equally as nerve wracking, equally as insightful, and equally as compelling.
This film doesn’t lessen the offering, it keeps things moving along nicely. There’s some progression, a setback that could impact the future, and a fan-pleasing finale act which sets up what’s to come.
As noted above, Spike takes a bit of a step back this time around, but in his place Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson is given more screen time and it works just as well. The change in focus proves to be an even trade as Fiennes is excellent, and his story helps to develop the world around him.
The Bone Temple could easily have been yet another movie where a bunch of survivors run from the infected, but that’s not what’s presented here. Instead, this is a film which offers a different story, introduces a very interesting idea about the infected, and serves up a superb character in Kelson.
And he’s not the only great character. The diabolical Sir Jimmy – as played by the fab Jack O’Connell – is a marvellous addition too.
Sure, he’s a horrible human, with no ounce of warmth or compassion in his soul, but he’s mesmerising to watch. Between Sir Jimmy, Kelson, and Spike there’s always someone on screen to invest time in, and along with fantastic cinematography, excellent direction, and a brilliant script from Alex Garland this is another marvellous entry in the series, not to be missed.
With The Bone Temple continuing the great work of 28 Years Later, expect to see another film in the not-too distant future. The Bone Temple sets up a number of plot threads that create room to grow, and Sony Pictures will no doubt be keen to play in this sandbox once again.
However, for now, make sure you check this one out. The Bone Temple is top-notch viewing, which never really lets up from the moment it starts, and will surely please those who have enjoyed the series so far.
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Also out…
Recent Releases
Not quite done yet? Want more movies? The above suggestions aren’t enough?! Well, here’s what’s also doing the rounds:
The Housemaid (2025)
“(Director Paul) Feig is a skilled filmmaker no matter the genre, and he brings out the utter darkness in this thrilling tale.”
Song Sung Blue (2025)
“(Hugh) Jackman and (Kate) Hudson work their magic, and there is enough character development and interesting plot points for an enjoyable afternoon at the pictures.”
Anaconda (2025)
“Anaconda is fine if you accept it is daft disposable nonsense. There is some enjoyment to be had from the cast, and the vibe is generally pleasing, it just doesn’t hit in the same way as say, the recent Jumanji reboots have.”
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Movie of the Week
Time for Movie of the Week, and there are some big contenders with plenty to offer (and please do check out Rental Family). However, this week the prestigious title goes to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. As with its predecessor the film is dark and brutal, but thoroughly engrossing.
And if you like 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, you may wish to check out:
- 28 Years Later (2002) – Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland introduce Spike and Dr. Kelson in this survivor thriller.
- The Last of Us (2023) – Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey lead this superb television series about two survivors in a post-apocalyptic world.
- I Am Legend (2007) – Will Smith takes the lead in this post-apocalyptic action-thriller about the last man alive in New York after a virus wipes out most of mankind.
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Forthcoming attractions
And that’s your lot for this week, but coming soon Primate, Cosmic Princess Kaguya!, and Mercy. Plus, The Big Fake, and Send Help.
And if that wasn’t enough, The Strangers trilogy comes to an end (finally) with The Strangers – Chapter 3. Which could be the best news you’ll receive all year.
All this and much more is inching ever nearer. Make sure you’re here when it arrives.
Alex
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this edition of Movie Reviews 2026. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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