Movie Reviews 2026: Obsession, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Marty

By Alex Wiggan

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2026 – your fun-packed guide to film.

Regular readers will know we are now firmly in summer blockbuster season and this means all the major movies are starting to hit the big (and small) screen in quick succession. In fact, the season is already beginning to gain momentum with recent releases including The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Sheep Detectives, Hokum, and Mortal Kombat II.

This week the blockbuster season continues ever-onward with the release of the supernatural horror movie, Obsession. This is the first feature-length film from director Curry Barker, who you might know from the rather impressive short film, Milk & Serial, and it hopes to continue the current interest and popularity in the horror genre.

Can Barker work similar magic on a bigger scale and with an increased budget? You’ll have to read on to find out.

Plus in this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2026 you’ll find reviews for Remarkably Bright Creaturesand Roommates. And if that wasn’t enough, the Martin Short docu-film, Marty, Life is Short, arrives on streaming.

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Now streaming…

Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026)

First up this week is the mystery drama, Remarkably Bright Creatures. Directed and co-written by Olivia Newman, and based on the novel of the same name by Shelby Van Pelt, the movie stars Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Colm Meaney, and Alfred Molina, and focuses on the friendship between a cleaning lady, a musician, and an octopus.

In the movie, Tova Sullivan is an elderly cleaner who works at the local aquarium in Sowell Bay. Tova lives alone, following a tragedy in her life, and is happiest when she’s busy at work cleaning the tank which belongs to Marcellus the octopus.

One night, while finishing up at the aquarium, Tova discovers Marcellus has escaped from his tank. While attempting to get him back in his home, Tova hurts her ankle.

To help Tova while she recovers, the aquarium owner hires down-on-his-luck musician, Cameron as an assistant cleaner. Initially Tova and Cameron clash, but over time they become friends, largely spurred on by their connection to Marcellus.

You know, there are some films which are grand affairs, filled with spectacle, which come out all guns blazing. Then there are smaller, more intimate affairs, which take time to unspool their story.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is very much the latter. It’s a slow burning, somewhat sedate little picture, which moves at a gentle pace and has no desire to rush.

Sometimes this sort of thing can fall flat, or completely run out of steam, but this isn’t the case for Remarkably Bright Creatures. The softer touch works rather well here, and gives this tale of friendship the room it needs to breathe.

What helps Remarkably Bright Creatures along is the cast, and more specifically Sally Field as Tova. Field is warm and inviting, and becomes the beating heart at the centre of the film.

As Tova’s story unfolds, there’s a great deal of depth and sadness to her life, and Field plays it all note perfect. As more and more information is revealed about the tragedy in her past, the actress conveys every emotion in painstaking and/or heartbreaking detail and its captivating viewing.

Field’s performance is then backed up by solid supporting players, Pullman, Meaney, and Molina (as the voice of Marcellus), as well as strong direction from Newman. The movie looks rather lovely too, thanks to cinematography from Ashley Connor and a whimsical score by Dickon Hinchliffe.

Due to its slower pace, Remarkably Bright Creatures won’t be for everyone, but for those looking for a heartfelt story, perhaps on a lazy Sunday afternoon, this film should see you right. Field’s performance is excellent, the tale being told is lovely, and the presentation is simply delightful.

If you wish to take a look, Remarkably Bright Creatures is available to stream on Netflix.

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Now streaming…

Roommates (2026)

Sticking with Netflix for this next movie, the college comedy, Roommates. Directed by Chandler Levack, the movie stars Sadie Sandler and Chloe East, and focuses on an introverted college freshman who dorms with a more confident roommate.

In the movie, Devon Weisz has always struggled to maintain friendships. So, when it comes time to go to college she worries she’ll be flying solo the entire journey.

But after hitting it off with the super confident Celeste at orientation, things suddenly start looking up. Could Celeste become the ultimate roommate that Devon is seeking, or is this rapidly-developing friendship headed for trouble?

Giving off late ‘00s/early 2010 vibes, Roommates certainly feels as if it’s either late to the party or stuck a little in the past. The film also struggles a touch with humour, with gags appearing only sporadically at best.

However, there is something very likeable about Roommates. It’s easy to watch, Sadie Sandler gives a good turn as Devon, and dare I say the general presentation is cute.

There’s an annoying and completely pointless framing story, about two additional roommates which could easily be dumped, but the rest of the picture plays fine. In short: It’s fairly entertaining.

Plus, Natasha Lyonne and Carol Kane are amongst the supporting cast. This is of course a bonus.

Roommates is perfectly alright for what it is – a coming-of-age college comedy – and sometimes that’s just fine. Sure, it plays better as a hangover movie rather than something to position your evening’s entertainment around, but it goes down rather nicely with a pizza and snacks.

Should you wish to check it out, Roommates is streaming on Netflix.

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Now streaming…

Marty, Life is Short (2026)

Continuing with Netflix for movie number three, which is the documentary film, Marty, Life is Short. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, the film explores the life of comedic actor Martin Short, covering his movies, TV roles, theatre work, and more.

From his time on SCTV and Saturday Night Live, through to films such as ¡The Amigos!, Innerspace, and Father of the Bride, it’s all touched upon here, including the highs as well as many of the lows. As Short puts it himself, “Well over 90% of my career was a total and utter commercial failure. But I was in enough successful things to keep the wheels spinning.”

Yep, there’s no BS when it comes to Short, just plenty of smiles and honesty. And it’s what makes this a rather special documentary.

One of the key things Marty, Life is Short makes clear is that when life throws lemons in Martin Short’s direction, he sets up an outlandish lemonade stand and starts selling. And if that fails, he looks for new fruit and new opportunities.

Not everything works out in life, so he just works around the kinks and the problems, inventing new characters along the way. This appears to be Short’s ethos, and it’s kept him going for decades.

However, the biggest and most notable takeaway from this documentary, and from Short’s life, is that life is indeed short. Having lost his brother, his mother, and then his father in quick succession when he was a child, as well as losing his beloved wife in later life, Martin Short has had to find the light and laughter in the darkest of times.

He’s done this time and time again, often on screen, but mostly behind the scenes. Many of his friends pop up in the documentary – Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and the late Catherine O’Hara – to wax lyrical about how funny and likeable Short is off camera, and how he tries not to take things too seriously even in the face of adversity.

And speaking of O’Hara, there’s a certain unplanned poignancy in this documentary, due to the actress’ recent passing. Seeing Short and O’Hara sat side by side, laughing about the past becomes an unexpected gift that can never be recaptured.

Once again it is moments such as these which act as a reminder that time moves far too quickly and it’s best to surround yourself with those who make life worthwhile. They will keep you happy and will be your biggest supporters.

Often, documentaries like this one appear after an actor has passed away, to provide an insightful look back at a long-lasting legacy. Martin, Life is Short is different, because it demonstrates Short’s legacy now, while he is still here to see it.

But it’s not a legacy forged in film, on the stage or on television, it’s a legacy built through love and laughter. Martin, Life is Short is a celebration and an appreciation, as well as a reminder to find happiness wherever you can.

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In cinemas…

Obsession (2025)

And finally this week it’s off to the cinema for the supernatural horror movie, Obsession. Written and directed by Curry Barker, the film stars Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, and follows the story of a young man who makes a wish he later comes to regret.

In the movie, Bear is a music store employee with a crush on his co-worker and childhood friend, Nikki. After coming across an intriguing novelty item known as ‘One Wish Willow’, Bear makes a wish that Nikki will fall in love with him.

The wish comes true and Nikki promptly falls for Bear. However, her affections quickly turn to obsession, putting both their lives in danger.

The concept of backfiring wishes and love spells is a plot device which is as old as time, so you may be forgiven for thinking Obsession is a movie which offers nothing new or interesting. But please don’t jump to such conclusions, because not only is Obsession a very creepy horror film, with some truly unhinged and disturbing moments, it’s also a captivating tale too.

The wish fulfilment angle forms the backbone of the picture, but under the surface is a story about toxic relationships. Bear’s wish is the catalyst for something very sinister, and what unfolds is an exploration of controlling behaviour to an extreme level.

Along the way there is violence, self harm, and some seriously unsettling scenes. One scene in particular involves a brutal death which you can see coming a mile off, yet it still catches you off guard.

In fact, Obsession is filled with moments which hit hard. Two very specific scenes take place within moments of each other and signpost the exact point where you know things are going to go horribly wrong.

The first is Bear’s realisation that his wish has worked to a level he didn’t expect. The second is when it becomes clear Bear has inadvertently ruined Nikki’s life.

From here on out, everything spirals. Things get darker and darker, and all hope for a happy resolution is lost.

But who wants happy resolutions in a horror? No one.

What horror hounds want is deliciously awful scenarios and spine tingling happenings, and that’s pretty much what Curry Barker serves up. There’s also some blood, some gore, plenty of screeching and shouting, and a snapshot into a very unhealthy relationship.

OK, so not every aspect of Barker’s film works, and the pacing is a little off to begin with, but when he gets to the meat and potatoes of the picture he really excels. Obsession is a very effective, cautionary tale, and one which makes the most of its simple premise.

Oh, and the lead performances are excellent. Especially Inde Navarrette as Nikki who falls into the category of bunny boiler, but this time around it isn’t rabbit on the menu.

Anyway, do you wish to see it? Erm… don’t answer that question – wishes don’t always pan out as expected. But if you’d like to take a look, Obsession is playing in UK and US cinemas.

Movie Reviews 2026: Obsession, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Marty

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