Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2026 – your super-heroic guide to film. And this week you join Movie Reviews 2026 on Week 25 of 50!
We’ve reached the halfway point of our year in film, and what a year it has been so far. From Obsession, Backrooms, and Masters of the Universe, to Wuthering Heights, Project Hail Mary, and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the year has served up some crackers!
But this is just the tip of the cinematic iceberg. There are plenty more movies on the way.
Speaking of which, the summer blockbuster season continues to roll on with the release of two franchise titles: Supergirl, and Jackass: Best and Last. The former is a feature-length film for Superman’s cousin, while the latter is the final entry in the long-running slapstick series.
And if those two movies aren’t enough, over on streaming Netflix is offering up Voicemails for Isabelle. You can read about all of them below!
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Now streaming…
Voicemails for Isabelle (2026)
OK, first up this week is the romantic comedy, Voicemails for Isabelle. Written and directed by Leah McKendrick, and starring Nick Robinson, Zoey Deutch, Harry Shum Jr., Lukas Gage, and Nick Offerman, the movie follows the story of a chef who sends voice messages to her late sister’s phone number, unaware the number is now in use by someone else.
In the movie, Jill and Izzy are sisters and best friends. Since they were kids the pair have had a special, unbreakable bond, and this has continued into early adulthood even after Jill moved to San Francisco to become a chef.
But when Izzy passes away due to a life-long illness, it emotionally cripples Jill. She struggles to cope with the loss, and replays Izzy’s old voicemails on loop.
Jill also begins to call Izzy’s old phone number, leaving voice messages for her sister. Problem is, the telephone number has been reallocated to someone else, who keeps receiving these random messages.
That someone else is businessman, Wes Valemont. Wes finds the messages enjoyable to listen to, and fails to inform Jill that he’s privy to the recordings.
But when he learns the messages are meant for Jill’s deceased sister, he decides to reach out and connect with Jill. Problem is, he doesn’t admit the truth and instead acts like a perfect stranger, as the pair grow close.
Within the first five minutes of Voicemails for Isabelle it becomes very clear this is going to be an enjoyable rom-com worthy of a two-hour investment. The relationship between young Izzy and Jill is the sort of connection we all want and/or appreciate with our own siblings, and things just build from there.
They build in terms of the story, the romance, the emotional investment, and the vibe. There’s a real likability to Voicemails for Isabelle, and it’s there in the dialogue, the characters, and the actors.
Leading the picture is Zoey Deutch as Jill, and Nick Robinson as Wes. The pair fit the tone and spirit of the picture perfectly, and the development of their romance becomes a delight to watch.
While things might start off on somewhat disingenuous ground between Jill and Wes, genuine love does blossom (over a chicken pot pie no less), and of course the truth is revealed. And in a surprising twist for a rom-com, it doesn’t take as long as you might think to get to the reveal.
This is because ultimately the love plot line isn’t the be-all and end-all of the drama. Voicemails for Isabelle is about life, loss, and learning to find yourself after tragedy – it’s not just lovey-dovey slush.
There’s substance here. Lots of substance.
As such, Voicemails for Isabelle is a surprisingly strong movie. The central premise might seem like it’s been done before, but this picture is a really well-constructed piece, that blossoms as Jill’s story progresses.
Voicemails for Isabelle is genuinely delightful stuff. Occasionally it breaks your heart, but like all good stories it finds a way to fix it again.
There are smiles, there are tears, and there’s just something satisfying here. Give it a watch – you won’t regret it.
And should you wish to take a look, Voicemails for Isabelle is now streaming on Netflix.
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In cinemas…
Supergirl (2026)
Over to the big screen now for the comic book adventure movie, Supergirl. Directed by Craig Gillespie, and starring Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa, the film follows the story of Superman’s cousin, Kara, as she embarks on an intergalactic quest.
In the film, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, travels across the galaxy with her super-powered pet pooch, Krypto, to celebrate her 23rd birthday. Along the way she meets Ruthye Marye Knoll – a young girl who is interested in recruiting Kara on a mission to avenge her deceased family.
Kara is initially reluctant to get involved, but when Krypto is poisoned by the same man responsible for killing Ruthye’s family, Kara has no choice but to track him down. But with the clock ticking and Krypto’s condition worsening, will she be able to retrieve the antidote in time?
Introduced via a brief cameo in 2025’s Superman, this is the first feature-length adventure for Supergirl in the recently created DCU. It’s not the first Supergirl movie, the character previously appeared in 1984’s Supergirl, as well as 2023’s The Flash, but as far as this new continuity goes this is Kara Zor-El’s first full outing.
And as first full outings go, it’s pretty damn good. There are a couple of issues, which stop it from reaching greatness, but for the most part this is an enjoyable space Western which not only zeroes in on who Kara is and why she differs from her cousin, Superman, but also delivers a fun ride.
The film benefits from plenty of action, lots of sci-fi wonder, and a vibe which feels part Mad Max, part Star Wars, and part The Searchers. There’s also a truly fab turn from Milly Alcock as Kara/Supergirl, who not only fits the character perfectly, but who also fits the tone of this movie and the story being told.
She’s strong, sassy, and super-cool. To reiterate what I’ve said above, Kara differs from her cousin, this isn’t just a case of a female Superman following in her cousin’s footsteps, and Alcock completely understands the assignment.
Joining Alcock on screen is a strong supporting cast which includes a solid performance from Eve Ridley as Ruthye, as well as a stand-out turn from Jason Momoa as the Czarnian bounty hunter, Lobo. Momoa famously played Aquaman in the previous iteration of the DC Universe (aka the DCEU), but here he is taking a second bite of the cherry in a different role, and he’s a much better fit this time around.
Loud, brash, rough and tough, Lobo is a cult figure in the comics and Momoa captures the essence of the character brilliantly. Lobo doesn’t feature in the movie as much as some may want (and could easily be removed without impacting the plot), but whenever Momoa is on screen he makes his presence felt and is a great addition to the film.
It’s also fun to see David Corenswet pop up here and there as Superman. Similar to Lobo, Superman is not a huge part of the film, but his inclusion in the story helps to enhance Kara’s journey, while highlighting the contrast between her outlook on life and loss, and his.
Outside of this, there are lots of imaginative aliens, some neat touches of comedy, and lots of comic book escapism. The film is very different in approach to Superman, but this isn’t a bad thing, as it demonstrates DC/Warner Bros. is keen to present different experiences with its DC movies, rather than go down a cookie cutter route.
OK, so that’s all the good stuff, now what about the parts that don’t work? Well, while it’s important to say the less-than-successful parts of Supergirl don’t derail the picture, there are a couple of notable problems.
Where Supergirl struggles the most is in the pacing and the editing. Because the story is quite straightforward, the movie needs to be a bit zippier, a bit snappier, and a little less plodding to keep the momentum going, and yet it seems to have trouble with this.
There is a fair bit of back and forth during the early parts of the movie, as Kara is drafted into the mission, and this slows things down at times. It’s a shame, because there are some great moments early doors, but then things sort of drift a bit here and there.
Supergirl also suffers from not having a particularly strong villain. The main foe in the picture is Krem of the Yellow, who is essentially the head of an alien gang, and despite what the script wants you to believe, he never seems like much of a credible threat.
A wasted opportunity? Maybe.
That said, Krem fits in with the general approach of the movie, which is to say this is a side quest, rather than a world-ending epic. The point of this film is that Kara is off doing her own thing, before being reluctantly pulled into a problem, and the lower-level villain is a reflection of this.
Next time we see Kara on screen, it’ll no doubt be during some huge battle in Metropolis, where she is fighting side by side with Superman, but that is not what this movie is about. Supergirl is about a young woman working her way through her inner demons, and having to perform some super heroic feats in the process.
If this is the sort of superhero movie you want or like, then you’ll like what Supergirl is selling. The film is less flashy than Superman, and maybe some audiences will be disappointed by this, but what it gets right far outweighs what it stumbles with.
Over the coming days you will see or hear a lot of chatter on social media, from a contingent of naysayers speaking VERY LOUDLY about how Supergirl is a dud. It’s not. The film has some issues, but it is not the misfire some will have you believe and it sets up Kara’s place in the DCU very well.
Of course, everyone is perfectly fine to address the issues (I did), but the level of social media hate being directed at this film right now is ridiculous. Don’t buy into it – or any of the nonsense online from people who shout loudly – a bunch of people seem intent on derailing this picture and it is very unfair.
Instead, take Supergirl as it is being presented. As a sci-fi character piece, which looks to provide entertainment, while at the same time giving audiences an understanding of what’s really going on in Kara’s head.
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In cinemas…
Jackass: Best and Last (2026)
And sticking with the big screen for this week’s final movie, Jackass: Best and Last. Directed by Jeff Tremaine, and starring Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, and Wee Man, the film is the fifth and supposedly final entry in the main Jackass film series and combines new pranks with some classic material from the archives.
On the agenda this time around there is an eye-watering prostate exam (courtesy of a robot); a nightmarish escape room; and a laxative-fuelled game of Twister. Meanwhile, as Jackass: Best and Last dips in and out of past glories there is a look back at the stomach-churning port-a-potty skit; a rewind to the Brad Pitt kidnapping incident; and a reminder of the hilarious giant ‘high-five’ prank.
Now, if you’re an old friend of Jackass, who has been around since the original television show debuted on MTV 26 years ago, you’ll know exactly what’s on offer with this latest movie. Lots of slapstick and plenty of dangerous and/or inappropriate stunts.
As always, there are one or two sequences where you wonder how the production team got an insurance company to sign off on this, and there are also moments where you start to question everyone’s sanity. The Jackass team are now in their 50s, so they really should know better by now, right?
Well, maybe so, but if they didn’t do the stunts, we wouldn’t be entertained. And Jackass: Best and Lastis entertaining.
OK, so at times this latest film does feel like a highlights reel, and a couple of scenes do seem unacceptable – including a previously unaired stunt from the late ‘90s where Johnny Knoxville shoots himself – but for the most part this is daft escapism, the likes of which probably won’t happen again. It’s unlikely anyone will agree to pranks like this moving forward.
So, view Jackass: Best and Last as a final hurrah and a goodbye to a time that has now passed. If this isn’t your sort of thing give it a wide birth, but if you are a fan, grab some tissues to mop up the tears of sadness and the tears of laughter.
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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:
Toy Story 5 (2026)
“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.”
Disclosure Day (2026)
“Spielberg has put his skills, his passion for filmmaking, and his interest in this subject matter into a film which for the most part works rather well. This isn’t to say Disclosure Day is top tier Spielberg, as this ain’t no Schindler’s List, but it is to say this is a fairly strong thriller from the director.”
Tuner (2025)
“From the moment the movie begins it’s clear audiences are in safe hands, with an engaging story, as well as a carefully crafted world for the events to take place in. This is delightful and satisfying stuff, which maintains its momentum throughout.”
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Movie of the Week
Over to Movie of the Week, which this week is going to Voicemails for Isabelle. This heartfelt and occasionally heartbreaking rom-com is the romantic picture you’ve been waiting for.
And if you like Voicemails for Isabelle you may be interested in:
- The Notebook (2004) – Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling star in Nick Cassavetes’ romantic drama about a love story read from a notebook.
- The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – Josh Boone directs this coming-of-age romantic drama about two cancer patients who find love at a support group.
- Everything, Everything (2017) – Nick Robinson stars in this romantic drama from Stella Meghie, about a girl with a restrictive medical condition who falls in love with her neighbour.
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Forthcoming attractions
That’s all for this week, but coming soon there’s serious sleuthing in Enola Holmes 3; Disney serves up another live-action remake with Moana; and Christopher Nolan takes audiences on an epic journey courtesy of The Odyssey. Plus, Evil Dead Burn, Ice Cream Man, The End of Oak Street, Insidious: Out of the Further, Spa Weekend, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, and Coyote vs. Acme.
Oh, and the Hulk, the Punisher, and the Hand, all feature in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Spidey is in there too). Expect this one to be a big release.
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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