Gille Klabin (Director)
Carl W. Lucas (Writer)
Justin Long (Actor)
Frank (Justin Long) is having a great day at work. He’s figured out how to screw over a family at the insurance company where he’s a lawyer. It’s fine, it’s just his job. Besides, everybody has dependents, right? Besides, he’ll get to present it to the big boss himself,
tomorrow morning. His best friend and co-worker, Jeff (Donald Faison) offers to take him out to celebrate.
What follows is a misadventure somewhere between Go and John Dies at the End… a terrifying, drug-fueled rampage through reality and time, wrapped up in a sweet fairytale about consequences and who we want to be. I keep thinking about Joe Vs. the Volcano, if that entire movie happened during an acid flashback Tom Hanks had at work.
It’s a damn funny movie. Long and Faison are a great buddy team, and I want to see soemthing with them again ASAP. (C’mon, Hollywood, remake a buddy comedy and let these guys do it. You know you want to…) The sets and situations are littered with great bits, from the patron throwing up outside of the El Madrid bar, to the myriad in-jokes that become apparent on second viewing. The realism of the drug scenes, despite the drug itself being fictional, struck me immediately upon viewing. Here is a film that presents the scary, potentially enlightening, and uncontrollable parts of psychedelics. The “expansive, educational aspects”, as writer Carl Lucas put it in our interview. Gone are the trailing hands and talking animals of “drug movies”. Instead, The Wave gives us that sense of unreality, that odd feeling that this might yield some “underlying truth” that often accompanies tripping, coupled with the tension between the your perception and the “regular world” happening around you. Watching Frank try and navigate a board meeting while time spirals out of his control and all the secret souls of his coworkers sweat out their skin… Been there, buddy.
Drugs, y’all.
There’s a lot of philosophy happening in the movie, as Frank wrestles with the consequences of his work, and the homelife and stagnant relationship he’s drifted into. Presented with the opportunity to touch chaos, he takes it. Frank finds he must, to quote writer Carl Lucas again, “go through the chaos to get to the harmony.” It’s a wonderful film, and the only thing at fest I’ve watched twice already. See it whenever you
can, and enjoy.

Streaming
A Riveting Rural Whodunit Rooted in Tradition Movie

Genre: Crime Thriller / Mystery
Run Time: Approximately 123 minutes
Studio: SRT Entertainments
Where to Watch: Streaming now on Aha (Telugu OTT platform)
Director: Ashok Teja
Writer: Sampath Nandi
Lead Cast: Hebah Patel, Vasishta N. Simha, Sai Ronak, Poojitha Ponnada, and George Maryan
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Odela is a gripping Telugu-language crime thriller that weaves the mysticism of rural India with the suspense of a murder mystery. Based on true events, the film is set in the culturally rich village of Odela, where a series of brutal murders shakes the community. When fear takes over, the villagers believe the killings are the work of a supernatural force, but a determined young trainee IPS officer decides to uncover the truth.
Ashok Teja makes a confident directorial debut, and with the support of seasoned writer Sampath Nandi, the film blends folklore and investigative elements seamlessly. The narrative doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore but rather on tension, cultural realism, and atmosphere, making it stand apart from typical crime thrillers.
Vasishta N. Simha delivers a strong and brooding performance as the local suspect whose silence hides secrets. Hebah Patel brings depth and credibility to her role as the determined officer, breaking stereotypes of female leads in regional thrillers. Sai Ronak and George Maryan round out the cast with solid support, while Poojitha Ponnada adds emotional texture to the story.
The cinematography captures the beauty and eeriness of the village setting, while the score subtly enhances the suspense. What truly stands out is the film’s effort to incorporate the Odela temple culture and beliefs into its storyline, making the mystery feel both grounded and unique.
Unique Setting: Odela village and its spiritual legacy are treated with respect, giving the film a haunting authenticity.
Strong Female Lead: Hebah Patel’s character is refreshingly written and well-acted.
Tight Storytelling: No unnecessary detours or filler content; the movie maintains its pace and tension throughout.
Cultural Depth: Balances folklore and realism without leaning too heavily on superstition.
Rating: 8/10
Odela is a tightly woven, atmospheric thriller that doesn’t rely on spectacle but rather storytelling and culture. It’s a solid step forward for Telugu cinema in the crime-thriller space and worth a watch for fans of mystery films that respect both narrative and regional authenticity.
Streaming
VidaayMuyarchi

“Vidaamuyarchi,” now streaming on Netflix, is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language action thriller directed and written by Magizh Thirumeni. Produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under Lyca Productions, the film boasts a runtime of 150 minutes. The narrative follows Arjun (Ajith Kumar) on a relentless quest to rescue his wife Kayal (Trisha Krishnan) after she is abducted by a mysterious group in Azerbaijan. The ensemble cast includes Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra, and Arav in pivotal roles.
Drawing inspiration from the 1997 American film “Breakdown,” “Vidaamuyarchi” offers a familiar storyline but is elevated by compelling performances. Ajith Kumar delivers a commendable portrayal of a husband battling against time and adversities, while Trisha Krishnan effectively captures the emotional depth of her character. The film’s cinematography by Om Prakash enhances the tension and atmosphere, and Anirudh Ravichander’s music complements the narrative’s intensity.
However, the film’s predictability and pacing issues may deter some viewers. Despite these shortcomings, “Vidaamuyarchi” provides an engaging experience for fans of the action thriller genre.
Rating: 6.5/10
Movie
Justice has a new Daddy. Watch the new trailer for NakedGun,

Only one man has the particular set of skills… to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in THE NAKED GUN, directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and from producer Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy). Joining the cast are Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston.
only in theatres August 1st.