Movie Reviews 2026: Toy Story 5, Over Your Dead Body, The Marked Woman

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Movie Reviews 2026 – your rootin’ tootin’ guide to film!

This week Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bo Peep, and all the toys in Bonnie’s room return for a new outing in Disney-Pixar’s adventure-comedy, Toy Story 5. The popular animated franchise, which has been going for over 30 years, returns to cinemas for yet more fun and hijinks, with the new film likely to draw in big crowds this summer.

Meanwhile, if animation isn’t your thing, over on the small screen there’s action-comedy in Over Your Dead Body, and thrills and mystery in The Marked Woman. And if that’s not enough, now available on YouTube is the LGBTQ+ horror short, Demon Twink.

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Now streaming…

Over Your Dead Body (2026)

First up this week it’s over to streaming for the action-comedy thriller, Over Your Dead Body. Directed by Jorma Taccone, and starring Jason Segel, Samara Weaving, Keith Jardine, Timothy Olyphant, and Juliette Lewis, the film follows the story of an unhappily married couple who plan to kill each other for the insurance money.

In the film, Dan Burton is a struggling director married to aspiring actress Lisa. The pair have reached that point in their relationship where things are frosty at best, and they just about tolerate each other.

One day, the couple set off for a weekend getaway at a lakeside cabin. But this isn’t just any old break from the norm, because Dan has plans to bump off Lisa. Unfortunately for Dan, Lisa has a similar idea.

Thing is, neither Dan nor Lisa factor in any unexpected surprises. This is something which comes back to bite them on the ass, when they encounter three escaped convicts who are hiding out in the cabin and are prepared to do whatever it takes to shake down the couple for cash. 

If the above premise sounds a little familiar, it’s because Over Your Dead Body is a remake of the Norwegian action-comedy, The Trip. That film was released back in 2021, was a fairly fun romp, and followed the same story.

So, if you’ve previously watched The Trip then you’ve pretty much watched Over Your Dead Body. The two share similar highlights (slapstick violence), as well as similar pitfalls (they both take a little while to get going), and are kind of one and the same.

Of course, this begs the question: what’s the point? Well, because Hollywood likes to remake movies, especially when the remake is largely undertaken to switch one language for another.

But anyway, irrespective of this, while Over Your Dead Body does walk a similar path, there’s still plenty of fun to be had. The over-the-top violence is a riot, the black comedy is deliciously dark, and all the performances from the main cast are excellent.

So, when all is said and done it’s actually not bad. It’s a bit pointless, but it’s not bad.

Over Your Dead Body isn’t an improvement on what came before, but it’s certainly not worse either. It’s more of the same with different actors.

I could spend all day arguing why there really was no need to remake the original, but what’s the point? The Hollywood big wigs ain’t listening!

Anyway, there is entertainment to be found in this latest iteration. Should you wish to take a look, Over Your Dead Body is now streaming on Prime Video.

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Now streaming…

The Marked Woman (2026)

Sticking with streaming for this next movie, the Spanish mystery crime-drama, The Marked Woman(aka La Desconocida). Directed by Gabe Ibáñez, and starring Ana Rujas, Candela Peña, and Kira Miró, the movie revolves around a mysterious woman who is found in a shopping container in Barcelona.

The woman is battered and bruised and has no memory of who she is. Before she was found, the woman – later identified as Clara – was drugged, and police believe she may have been a victim of trafficking.

However, things take an even more sinister turn when Clara is attacked in hospital. This prompts the police to take Clara to a safe house as they attempt to find out who she is.

Based on a novel by Rosa Montero, The Marked Woman is a decent if not particularly amazing thriller. The central mystery surrounding Clara keeps things moving a long, and the film does have its moments, but for the most part it is only so-so at best. 

The big sticking point is that The Marked Woman has a Bourne Identity vibe, but none of the action or adventure to back it up. So, if you’re hoping for things to get wild and explosive you’ll be disappointed.

That said, once the story gets going (around 30 minutes in) there’s enough here to keep the interest levels up, especially for those who enjoy a slow burn narrative. The Marked Woman is all about building tension, and this is where it is most effective.

So, it’s fine, just lower your expectations. And if you wish to check it out for yourself, The Marked Woman is now streaming on Netflix.

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Now streaming…

Demon Twink (2025)

Sliding over to YouTube for this next offering, which is the LGBTQ+ horror short, Demon Twink. Written and directed by Steven George and starring Jonathan Tysor, Ben L. Cohen, Silas Kade, and John Batchan, this 25-minute short film tells the story of a middle-aged gay man who is given back his youth by a blood thirsty demon

In the short, the year is 1996 and on Halloween night, Dante is at a gay club feeling somewhat ancient. Surrounded by younger guys, Dante believes he is out of place and wishes he could turn back the clock.

Suddenly he is approached by a horned green demon (behind a glory hole) who offers Dante the chance to fulfil his wish to be young. Dante embraces this opportunity whole heartedly and is soon transformed into his younger twink self.

From here, a night of fun is on the horizon as Dante quickly becomes irresistible. However, as Dante soon learns, there is a price to pay for looking youthful.

In order to remain a twink forever, Dante must spill blood during every full moon. If he fails to keep up his end of the bargain he’ll age rapidly.

With a simple premise, and a relatable hook (middle-age gay man wants to recapture his youth), Demon Twink is an effective little horror. There’s some great shots, strong staging, and a story which fits comfortably within its swift runtime.

But look beyond this and there is also some interesting commentary on what it means to be a monster, how important it is to be comfortable in your own skin, and what it feels like being an ageing gay on the scene.

All of this is topped off with some enjoyable performances, including a deliciously camp turn from Ben L. Cohen as the deadly green demon, who shares quite a passing resemblance to Lorne from ‘90s TV series Angel. Well, that is if Lorne was a pointy-toothed hell spawn, rather than a fabulous lounge singer.

Anyway, Demon Twink is rather good stuff. Considering the small budget it is working from it gets its message across and provides a sexy slice of horror.

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In cinemas…

Toy Story 5 (2026) 

And finally, over to the cinema for the animated family film, Toy Story 5. Directed and co-written by Andrew Stanton, and featuring the voice talents of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and Greta Lee, the movie sees the toys unite against a new threat to their existence – an electronic tablet!

Picking up a couple of years after the events of Toy Story 4, and with Woody off helping Bo Peep find homes for neglected toys, Jessie is the new sheriff and leader of Bonnie’s toys. Under Jessie’s leadership, things have been running smoothly, with no major problems.

However, when Bonnie receives an electronic tablet named Lily, and starts to become addicted to the device, she begins to neglect Jessie and Co. This in turn brings Woody back to the fold, as the toys face yet another uncertain future.

Thirty-one years after the release of Toy Story it seems almost crazy that we are now being served up a fifth entry in the Toy Story series (seventh if you include Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and Lightyear). The first film felt like a one-off, the second was a neat extension which didn’t drop the ball, and the third seemed like the definitive ending.

When the fourth debuted in 2019 it signalled that maybe Disney wasn’t ready to let the series rest (Disney’s general response to every IP). This fifth movie is proof the Toy Story films may continue indefinitely, long after we have all crumbled to dust.

But there is good news. The quality level continues to remain high. 

If you have enjoyed the Toy Story journey so far, you’ll find lots to like about 5. The film doesn’t quite match the heights of the original trilogy, but it does operate in similar territory to 4 and has a strong selling point with the introduction of Lily the tablet, as well as plenty of commentary about the negatives of too much tech. 

Coming up with a valid reason to revisit Buzz, Woody, and Jessie has always been the challenge. How do you make it seem like there is a need to return to the toy box? 

Toy Story 5 solves that issue by introducing the one thing we all know has changed the face of playtime – electronic devices. Kids these days are less interested in playing with action figures and dolls, and are far more concerned with Apps, online games, and chatting with friends.

By zeroing in on this shift in children’s behaviour, Toy Story 5 not only has a reason to exist, it also has something to say. Will the toys of today last much longer or will they go the way of the rocking horse and the spinning top? 

Only time will tell. But as Toy Story 5 explores the subject, it offers up the suggestion that maybe there is room for both, if a balance can be found.

But this isn’t just a story about physical toys vs tech, that’s just the hook to peg this film on, there’s also a bit more depth, which comes via Jessie. Without giving away any major spoilers, Toy Story 5 leans into Jessie’s backstory, specifically what we already know about her past from Toy Story 2.

This results in an interesting second act, which sees Jessie set off on her own adventure. It’s one with callbacks to yesteryear, as well as some emotive scenes guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings.

And this is arguably where Toy Story 5 is at its strongest. When the film encourages the audience to connect with the characters’ plight, while remembering those days long gone when we all used to spend hours playing with our toys.

From here there are tears, memories, and some well-placed nostalgia. However, there’s plenty of laughs too, along with a great deal of fun as the toys venture outside of Bonnie’s room.

Of course, not everything works in Toy Story 5. The pace dips a couple of times, and the inclusion of multiple Buzz Lightyears seems largely pointless, but there is some very good stuff on offer.

The finale is particularly enjoyable, as is the inclusion of a new toilet-based toy. It’s also just great to see Buzz and Woody back together, sharing the screen with all of their old pals.

So, lots to like and a fairly compelling story. It’s unclear how much longer the Toy Story series will go on for, but as long as it can keep finding new things to say, then it is welcome to continue to infinity and beyond.

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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:

Disclosure Day (2026)

“What you get with Disclosure Day is solid (Steven) Spielberg and something with which to engage your brain. It should slot in nicely amongst some of the more fantastical films of the summer and heck, maybe it’ll finally lead us to the truth about our place in the universe.”

Masters of the Universe (2026)

“Plenty of in-jokes; a couple of fan-pleasing credit scenes; and a door left firmly open for more. And hopefully we’ll get more, because Masters of the Universe is excellent fantasy fulfilment at its best.”

Scary Movie (2026)

“In the years since the Wayans (brothers) left the franchise they’ve not upped their game, meaning Scary Movie falls into the same old pitfalls as before. The result is two gags that work, 100 that don’t, and tumbleweeds in between.”

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Movie of the Week

Onto Movie of the Week which this week goes to Toy Story 5. The film is sure to be a popular choice this summer with audiences of all ages.

And if you like Toy Story 5 you might also like these Disney-Pixar movies:

• Hoppers (2026) – Daniel Chong’s sci-fi comedy about a young woman who mind hops into the body of a robotic beaver.
• Lightyear (2022) – Angus MacLane directs this sci-fi adventure film which follows the ‘real’ Buzz Lightyear as he finds himself stranded on a hostile planet.
• Turning Red (2022) – Coming-of-age fantasy from Domee Shi about a teenager who transforms into a giant red panda.

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Forthcoming attractions

And that’s it for yet another week, but coming soon Supergirl, Enola Holmes 3, Moana, Evil Dead Burn, The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Ice Cream Man, The End of Oak Street, Insidious: Out of the Further, and Spa Weekend. Plus, John Cena and Eric André team up for Little Brother; Olivia Wilde directs and co-stars in The Invite; and Johnny Knoxville and the gang return for Jackass: Best and Last.

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.