Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2026 – your thoroughly marvellous guide to movies. And this week, Movie Reviews 2026 is guiding you through some big screen entertainment!
Yes, all of the movies in the spotlight this time around are playing in cinemas. So, if you are thinking of taking a trip to the flicks, maybe these films will be up for consideration.
Speaking of which, on the agenda this week there are reviews for Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, The Good Boy, and How to Make a Killing. Plus Enid Blyton’s fantasy adventure story, The Magic Faraway Tree makes its feature film debut.
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In cinemas…
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026)
First up this week, let’s indulge in the macabre courtesy of playful horror sequel, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and starring Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, David Cronenberg, and Elijah Wood, the film picks up directly after the events of 2019’s Ready or Not, with ‘final girl’ Grace MacCaullay in yet another fight for survival.
After a narrow escape from a.) a terrible set of in-laws, and b.) becoming a ritual sacrifice, Grace is pretty much ready to breathe a sigh of relief. However, that sigh is short lived when she is kidnapped and informed she will have to take part in yet another fight for her life.
You see, having outlived all of the Le Domas clan, Grace has triggered a new challenge which pits her against four additional families. And Grace can forget any attempt at refusal, as her estranged sister Faith has been dragged into proceedings, meaning she’s not just in a battle for herself, she also needs to ensure her sister sees it through to the other side.
If you caught Ready or Not when it was released back in 2019 you’ll know it was a fun little horror. Nothing necessarily amazing, but very likeable, with a solid lead performance from Samara Weaving, and plenty of great death scenes.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is pretty much more of the same, if not slightly better. The inclusion of Grace’s sister, Faith raises the story stakes a little, plus the combination of Weaving and fellow horror alumni, Newton, makes for the perfect partnership.
Adding former Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar as the deadly Ursula Danforth also works in the movie’s favour, as does Elijah Wood’s involvement as ‘The Lawyer’ who oversees everything. In fact, the cast are fab, and there’s much fun to be had from watching everyone chew the scenery and lose their shit trying to bump off the sisters.
But of course the big selling point of the Ready or Not movies are the death scenes, which do not disappoint. One involves a washing machine, another involves a samurai sword, and there’s equal amounts of joy to be had from a sequence involving pepper spray.
Perhaps most important of all, Ready or Not 2 leaves the audience wanting more. The first film felt like a fairly self-contained affair, but now the mythology has been opened up via this sequel, there is scope for another go should the opportunity arise.
Will more materialise? That depends on how well this one does, but if another instalment is served up, and another sister is brought out of the woodwork, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Should you wish to take a look, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is in cinemas now.
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In cinemas…
The Good Boy (2025)
Up next is the psychological thriller, The Good Boy (aka Heel, aka Good Boy). No, it’s not the horror film about a dog which did the rounds towards the end of last year, this is director Jan Komasa’s picture about a young guy who is kidnapped by a mysterious family as part of an extreme rehabilitation programme.
In the movie, Tommy is a wayward British lad who spends his nights partying, womanising, and being a complete knob head. Unfortunately, he spends his days doing the same thing, and his unpredictable and violent behaviour makes him a danger to anyone who crosses his path.
But Tommy’s attitude towards those around him (as well as society in general) isn’t going unnoticed. Chris, a husband and father, has been watching Tommy from the shadows, and feels it is time to step in.
After following Tommy on a night out, Chris drugs him, takes him back to his home, and chains him up in the basement. Over the coming months, Chris and his family begin to rehabilitate Tommy to make him a decent human being, whether he is open to this particular brand of rehabilitation or not.
As psychological thrillers go, The Good Boy is certainly a film with something to say. While Chris’ methods are unorthodox and clearly quite unhinged, the movie does pose the rather compelling question: Is this what Tommy needs? Prior to the kidnapping, Tommy is a danger to the general public, and is on a course of self-destruction, which no one seems equipped to handle, so does an intervention like this need to take place?
Some may argue yes, while others will say no. Either way, the basic premise creates a strong talking point; it sets the stage for a significant discussion about crime and punishment; and it gives the film an interesting hook to work with.
This hook is then backed up by some superb performances from the central cast which add to what’s on offer. In particular there are brilliant turns from Stephen Graham as Chris, and Anson Boon as Tommy.
Graham delivers a very controlled, very calculating performance as the kidnapper, while Boon is suitably wild and quite hostile as the victim. The two not only complement each other, but they really make the audience consider where their viewpoints lie.
In theory, sympathy should fall directly at the feet of Tommy, who is abducted, tortured, and locked up, but it’s not that simple. Tommy is such a deplorable person, and Chris is so well-mannered, that things are turned on their head considerably.
So, the combination of the initial set-up, and the core players is very effective. The same can be said for some of the staging of the film, particularly during scenes when Tommy is being held captive in various scenarios throughout the picture.
However, while all of this works, The Good Boy isn’t perfect. It does get a great deal right, and is definitely worth your time, but there is a problem which stops it from becoming a five-star affair.
Where things stumble a little is in the final act. While for the most part The Good Boy ticks along rather well, and is highly engaging, it seems to lose itself in the last half hour.
A few questions go unanswered; a couple of plot holes start to open up; and the finale isn’t as satisfactory as it should be. No spoilers here, but the ending doesn’t hit as intended, even if it is thematically the correct direction for the story.
Some aspects are interesting, but it feels like the wrap-up misses the mark. All the way through, The Good Boy seems like it is building to something quite dramatic, but the last hurrah never quite comes, and the pay-off is arguably less appealing than everything that came before.
Those unanswered questions also become a little frustrating once the dust settles. There is a certain vagueness to who Chris and his family really are, and this ultimately is a bit annoying.
So, it’s great for the majority of the runtime, but perhaps not quite so great at the end. Just keep this in mind if you’re expecting perfection from start to finish.
If you can overlook the wobbly finale, there is a lot to like about The Good Boy. The performances of Graham and Boon are worth the price of admission, while the core themes of redemption and rehabilitation provide food for thought.
Whether you feel entirely satisfied is up for debate, but one thing is certain, you’ll be ready for some post-screening conversations. This film has a way of getting under the skin.
Anyway, should you wish to take a look, The Good Boy is now playing in UK cinemas.
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In cinemas…
How to Make a Killing (2026)
Onto movie number three, which this week goes to the black comedy thriller, How to Make a Killing. Written and directed by John Patton Ford, and based on Roy Horniman’s novel, Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal, the film stars Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, and Ed Harris, and follows the story of Beckett Redfellow – a former suit salesman who decides to bump off members of his family to claim the inheritance.
In the film, Beckett has grown up under the belief he should fight for what he deserves. So, when he comes to the conclusion he deserves the family fortune, he sets out to achieve it, one death at a time.
Glen Powell has been popping up in a quite a few movies as of late, and despite a few solid performances he’s yet to land on a vehicle which truly wows audiences. Unfortunately, How to Make a Killing isn’t that vehicle either, yet this isn’t a bad little picture, which may not amaze but it does entertain.
Powell is solid, the plot moves along fine, and there are a couple of moments here and there which tick the right boxes. The idea of Beckett going round knocking off family members is also enjoyable, ensuring this one doesn’t wear out the patience or runtime.
Where it struggles is in the simple fact the movie never goes big enough. With a touch more sparkle, and a tad more flare How to Make a Killing could be a stronger offering.
The film doesn’t need to delve into American Psycho territory, but tweaking some of the death scenes wouldn’t hurt. The premise is daft, so why not have a little more fun?
However, How to Make a Killing is perfectly serviceable and if you do take a look it should keep the interest levels up. The film is playing in cinemas now.
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In cinemas…
The Magic Faraway Tree (2026)
And finally, it’s on to movie number four which this week is the family fantasy adventure, The Magic Faraway Tree. Directed by Ben Gregor and based on a book series by Enid Blyton, the movie stars Claire Foy, Andrew Garfield, Nicola Coughlan, Jennifer Saunders, Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Billie Gadsdon, and Phoenix Laroche, and follows the story of a British family who encounter some magical friends.
In the film, when Polly Thompson loses her well-paid job, the Thompson family leave their old life behind and embrace a rural existence in the English countryside. Living in the country has always been a dream, and now this means husband Tim can work on his goal of growing tomatoes and selling pasta sauce.
However, for children Beth, Joe, and Fran, the move from city living to a place filled with trees and a distinct lack of wi-fi is a nightmare. There are no friends, no electricity, and their new home is nothing more than a rundown barn.
But when Fran befriends a collection of enchanted folk, who live hidden in the woods, the children’s outlook begins to change. Introduced to magical lands and quirky characters, the Thompson children begin to learn the value of their new surroundings and realise there is more to life than being online.
With a screenplay by Simon Farnaby, the co-writer of Paddington 2 and Wonka, and a story lifted from a series of Enid Blyton books, it’ll come as no surprise The Magic Faraway Tree is a very British affair. From its cast (Garfield, Foy, Saunders, etc) to its setting, its humour, and its chipper characters, the film is Brit through and through.
And if this sounds like something that will tickle your pickle, then prepare to be suitably entertained. The Magic Faraway Tree is a delightful stuff, where wishes are granted, dreams come true, and the likes of Lenny Henry and Michael Palin pop up alongside pink wafers and flumps.
But also be excited if you happen to enjoy films such as Nanny McPhee, The Time Bandits, Labyrinth, Return to Oz, or anything Narnia related. The Magic Faraway Tree contains shades of all of these and much more, and is tip-top escapism for the whole family.
The thrust of the movie is a family disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of life and getting back to basics. This initially becomes a difficult concept for the children, who have grown up knowing only video games and video calls, but once the enchanted characters are introduced, things begin to change.
When confronted with somewhat odd beings such as Silky, Saucepan Man, and Moonface, they can’t help but change your perspective. And this is essentially what happens, helped along by a couple of visits to some truly magical places, including a land of birthday wishes, and one that could double for Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, the kids lighten up and relax.
Once their viewpoint is turned on its head, fun is had, friends are made, and they come to see things a little more clearly. There’s laughter, merriment, off-the-wall situations, and ultimately a family readjusting and reconnecting, and plenty of heart along the way.
This all makes for delightful stuff and there’s not a moment of the film which doesn’t work. In fact, this is a truly wonderful way to spend a couple of hours and should be prescribed viewing to any youngsters currently hooked on YouTube or their phones.
So, should you take the kids to see The Magic Faraway Tree? You’d be crazy not to.
The Magic Faraway Tree is pure magic. The cast are marvellous, the story is inspiring, and the chance to spend time lost in fantasy is too tempting to resist.
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Recent Releases
Not quite done yet? Want more movies? The above suggestions aren’t enough?! Well, here’s what’s also doing the rounds:
Project Hail Mary (2026)
“If you’re itching for a bloody good blockbuster or just a delightful space movie, then Project Hail Maryis for you. Ryan Gosling is grand, the cinematography and production design is spectacular, and the story from writer Drew Goddard just sings.
This is an excellent film. Head to your nearest cinema and enjoy!”
Shelter (2026)
“Shelter is nothing special, but it’s fairly solid for what it is. Get beyond the first half-an-hour, which is a little slow, and it’s action packed stuff.”
Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere (2026)
“Be prepared to lose your cool at least once during the course of the documentary, but watch it anyway. Theroux has a real knack for taking on cranks and winning, and he’s certainly delivering the goods this time around.”
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Movie of the Week
Onto Movie of the Week and this week the title goes to The Magic Faraway Tree. Plenty of fantasy and fun in a film suitable for the whole family.
And if you like The Magic Faraway Tree you may also like:
- Nanny McPhee (2005) – Emma Thompson takes the title role in this wonderful fantasy comedy about a magical nanny in Victorian England.
- Paddington 2 (2017) – The best of the Paddington films (although the others are great), Paddington 2sees the marmalade sandwich-eating bear cross paths with a villainous actor.
- Wonka (2023) – Timothée Chalamet plays the iconic chocolatier in this fantasy prequel.
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Forthcoming attractions
That’s it for another week, but coming soon The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, 180, and Thrash! Plus, a classic monster gets resurrected and rebooted in Lee Cronin’s The Mummy.
And if that’s not enough, then check out a preview of some of the BIG MOVIES for 2026. From Masters of the Universe to Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, there are some exciting movies on the horizon, and you can experience a little taster now!
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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