Sixteen-year-old Henrietta “Henry” Coles (Maddie Hasson) is far from your average high-school kid, given her sad penchant for grand-mal seizures in the midst of the lunchtime cafeteria. Henry’s mom Cleo (Missi Pyle) has a tendency to take on a boyfriend and whatever baggage he carries, endure it for six months to a year, and then grab Henry and take off for the next safe-house, so her home life isn’t exactly what you’d call stable either. SPOILERS AHEAD!
The current boyfriend model out for a test run is Tom Hope (Matt Gordon) and his daughter Jenna (Sarah Desjardins), here in some little nowhere town that actually holds quite a few more secrets than anyone might think. Tom takes care of the local bowling alley and does seem to genuinely care about Cleo and Henry, he’s a nice guy who’s a lot more observant and discreet than anyone realizes. Jenna is one of those eternally popular kids, pretty and apparently vapid with it, but she too turns out to be a genuinely kind person, and when the feces hits the whirling blades, Henry will need all the help she can get!
Every high school has a Golden Boy that all the girls (and perhaps some guys too) lust after, this story features Clay Boone (Tanner Stine) in his Letterman jacket, all smug about his athletic prowess, still for some reason intrigued by the newcomer who clearly isn’t like the other girls, Henry Coles. And even after observing her have a scary seizure in the midst of school, Clay decides he’s going to get Henry alone with him and have his way with her.
Here’s where the show, despite being filmed very well and having a terrific storyline that keeps the audience guessing, needs to come with MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNINGS. The scene in Clay’s truck, where he knowingly molests Henry to the point where she has a massive seizure, her powers kick in and she teleports out, leaving Clay behind to be crushed by what she did to his truck, is raw and real and very damaging to those of potentially weak constitutions. In fact, this instance of rape and assault becomes the focal point of the entire show, somehow even more so than the newfound teleporting ability Henry is now using, much to her chagrin.
Because Henry was initially attracted to Clay and certainly wanted to make out with him, right up to the point where she began to yell at him clearly “NO!”, Henry feels an incredible amount of survivors guilt and what I would term PTSD in the wake of her assault. But it’s the aftershock of her teleporting out, the crushing of Clay’s truck and his own body, turning him into a paraplegic forever afterwards, that really gets to Henry. This one instance, where Golden Boy once again turns out to be Prince Shithead, sparks off all kinds of ripples that no-one could have predicted, least of all Henry herself.
Clay’s dad Bill Boone (David James Elliot), he’s a car salesman with his own dealership and everything, he somehow manages to have some seriously shady dealings with the nearby Mennonite community and Jeremiah Miller (Shawn Doyle), and he makes the instinctual leap that it was these nefarious business practices that led to Clay experiencing the repercussions for it. Clay’s brother Lucas (Craig Arnold), he was already far too involved in the shadowy family businesses, and he tries to help both his enraged father and his struggling brother, but the real truths are far under the skin and actually have nothing to do with the underhanded family dealings – until now.
Things are beginning to spiral out of control and somehow Cleo, Henry’s mom, thinks it’ll be a good idea to take a job offer from Bill Boone to work at the car dealership. So prepare to toss Mom into the mix of murderous Mennonites and crazy car salesmen! Tom and Jenna have clearly understood something’s very wrong with Henry, above and aside the grand mal seizures even, and both are trying to help however they can. Despite just being classified as moms new meal ticket, Tom can keep secrets like nobodies business and actually embraces his lady and her daughter with all the fervor of a real dad.
Jenna too, when she learns the awful truth of what Clay did to Henry, goes on helping Henry through her rape aftermath however she can, past he point of being annoying and goddamn insisting that Henry talk about it, don’t bottle it in, if not to Jenna herself then to the Planned Parenthood help line, or hell, anyone who will listen. The father and daughter Hopes are the good solid reliable kind of people this world needs more of. And the adorkable little friendship of the autistic boy who worships superheroes, Townes Linderman (Daniel Maslany) from school, should get an honorary mention, as its his determined belief in the heroic journey he insists Henry is undergoing that makes the long path even a little more bearable.
There are attempts to fold in an outside storyline about the newly-found teleportation ability that involves Henry’s missing real father, and Nikolai (Callum Keith Rennie) and others like her who are able to teleport in and out, being hunted by some nasty organization with of course plans for them abilities. And while we’re fairly sure these outside storylines, with the origins of teleportation abilities and what they might mean for Henry and her Cleo, will be extra terrific in ‘Impulse’ Season Two, the initial season dealt primarily with Henry and her assault, and that’s plenty enough heartbreak for all of us.
Fight for Henry’s rights with ‘Impulse’ Season One, on YouTube Originals now!
Review By: Raja V. Deva
Genre: Political Action Thriller
Runtime: Approximately 165 minutes
Director: S. Shankar
Writer: Story by Karthik Subbaraj; Screenplay by S. Shankar, Vivek, and Venkatesan
Cast: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S. J. Suryah, Srikanth, Sunil, Jayaram, Samuthirakani
Music Composer: Thaman S
“Game Changer” marks S. Shankar’s foray into Telugu cinema with a political action thriller designed to be grand in scale and ambition. The film features Ram Charan in dual roles: Appanna, a shrewd political leader, and his son, Ram Nandan, an upright IAS officer determined to clean up a corrupt system. However, despite the actor’s valiant efforts, the story doesn’t fully work with Ram Charan in the lead.
Originally conceptualized for another actor, the film’s narrative feels like it was tailored for someone with real-life political aspirations. While Ram Charan brings his star power and intensity to the roles, the weighty political undertones and the narrative’s structure don’t align well with his on-screen persona. His dual performance showcases his range, but the emotional depth and conviction required to anchor such a politically charged film seem misaligned with his strengths.
The supporting cast provides decent performances, with Kiara Advani and Anjali making their presence felt, though their characters lack depth. S. J. Suryah stands out as a formidable antagonist, adding gravitas to the film. Thaman S’s background score enhances the mood, though the songs occasionally disrupt the flow of the narrative.
Visually, the film boasts stunning production values and large-scale set pieces, typical of Shankar’s style. However, even the grandeur and intricate action sequences can’t mask the disjointed storytelling. The screenplay struggles to balance its political commentary with its action-oriented approach, leaving neither element fully realized.
Ultimately, “Game Changer” feels like a project that missed its mark. The story might resonate with audiences interested in political drama or those with a penchant for larger-than-life narratives, but it doesn’t do justice to Ram Charan’s abilities or his established image.
Rating: 6/10
For fans of Ram Charan or political thrillers, it might be worth a watch, but “Game Changer” feels like an opportunity lost to deliver a truly compelling cinematic experience.
No Spoilers
“Apathy is the solution. I mean, it’s easier to lose yourself in drugs than it is to cope with life. It’s easier to steal what you want than it is to earn it. It’s easier to beat a child than it is to raise it. Hell, love costs: it takes effort and work.”
It may come as a shock to many but director David Fincher’s seminal thriller: Seven turns 30 years old this year. Released in 1995 (the math is math-ing) it was the first film Fincher and 90’s heart throb Brad Pitt worked together. It was the film that proved Fincher’s directorial prowess as well as proving Pitt wasn’t just a pretty face but an actor to be lauded. Seven’s neo-noir style was fresh; wonderfully eerie, and befitting the gruesome tone.
I was way too young to see the debut of Seven and admittedly I knew most of the twists through cultural osmosis but I still wanted to see this juggernaut of a murder mystery on the big screen for its anniversary cinematic re-release.
Initially Denzel Washington was tapped to star. Fincher recently admitted that Washington did not like the script which had to be rewritten 10 or 11 times to suit the actor (Fincher, 2025). Despite these reviews Washington ultimately turned down the role but Washington’s loss was Morgan Freeman’s (and our!) gain.
Freeman plays Detective Lt William Somerset who is 7 days away from retirement. Unsurprisingly the number 7 also plays a big role in the film. For his last assignment Somerset is given the case of killer who is artfully killing their victims using the guise of the 7 (see!) Deadly Sins.
Beginning with the sin of ‘Gluttony’ the killer forced a morbidly obese man to literally eat himself to death at gunpoint. This is where we enter the movie and it only gets more disturbing from here!
Brad Pitt’s character; Detective David Mills is new to this unnamed gloomy city accompanied by his wife (Gwyneth Paltrow). The city seems to be its own biosphere where it rains constantly. Not only does this add a sense of foreboding but it could also be a nod to the biblical flood, punishing the characters for their supposed sins. Seven has many religious undertones.
Detective Mills is assigned to the case with Somerset whom he has to remind that despite his youthful appearance, Mills is no ‘rookie’ and has worked on many disturbing cases.
As the sins are counted off the killers methods become more and more sadistic. This leads to a climax that even today, thirty years later, is still shocking and widely quoted.
Seven is a classic due to its many components working together seamlessly. The artful direction, the moody set design, and the atmospheric score composed by Howard Shore, who also scored The Silence of the Lambs. It is amazing to experience the score with cinematic surround sound, particularly the groundbreaking opening credits punctuated by Nine Inch Nails song ‘Closer’.
The two leads are predictably fantastic but the relatively small cast all give memorable performance. R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) brings his authoritative charm to the grizzled police captain. John C McGinley (Platoon) gives his usual energetic performance heading the movies SWAT team as ‘California’ (unclear whether this is a code name or his actual name). Interestingly Fincher sourced McGinley’s talent for adlibbing as most of his scenes are adlibbed.
In one of the most iconic scenes in the film and arguably one of the most famous jump scares in cinematic history. The actors (including Freeman, McGinley, and Pitt) were not told to expect this particular scare. So the reactions of the characters are the genuine reactions of the actors. See if you can spot which scene!
Some may be tempted to dismiss Seven as just another popcorn thriller but, for me, there are several lines that are so well written they stay with you. In one scene an unnamed doctor is speaking about the death of a character; “He’s experienced about as much pain and suffering as anyone I’ve encountered, give or take, and he still has hell to look forward to.” This line is powerful on many levels as it is said with the casualness and dark humour of a doctor who is numbed to treating the evils of this world. It perfectly encapsulates the dark inevitability of the film.
It is clear why Seven is considered a classic. For any millennials (such as myself) or Gen Z’s or indeed anyone who wants to relive the creeping tension, I highly recommend catching it on the big screen!
Directed by: Kishore Kumar Pardasani
Written by: Siva
Studio: North Star Entertainment
Runtime: 149 minutes
Genre: Action, Drama
Cast:
Pawan Kalyan as Katamarayudu
Shruti Haasan as Avanthika
Siva Balaji as Katamarayudu’s younger brother
Ajay, Kamal Kamaraju, Chaitanya Krishna in supporting roles
Katamarayudu is a Telugu-language remake of the Tamil film Veeram. This movie blends family drama with high-octane action sequences, delivering a narrative that is quintessentially rooted in southern Indian cinema’s flair for heroism and larger-than-life characters.
The story revolves around Katamarayudu, a righteous and fiercely protective elder brother who has dedicated his life to looking after his younger siblings. Known for his aversion to marriage, his life takes a turn when Avanthika, a poised and graceful woman, enters his life. The movie skillfully combines lighthearted romance, brotherly camaraderie, and intense action sequences, creating an engaging watch for the masses.
Kishore Kumar Pardasani delivers a visually grand spectacle while staying true to the essence of its Tamil original. While the screenplay lacks novelty, it compensates with fast-paced action and emotional beats. The dialogues, although simple, hit the right chords when it comes to showcasing family bonds and love.
Pawan Kalyan is the heart of the film. His screen presence and charismatic portrayal of Katamarayudu dominate every frame. Shruti Haasan offers a refreshing on-screen presence, and her chemistry with Pawan Kalyan adds charm to the narrative. The supporting cast, especially the actors playing the brothers, do justice to their roles, adding depth to the storyline.
The film boasts meticulously choreographed fight scenes, which are a visual treat for action lovers. Anup Rubens’ background score and songs elevate the emotional and action-packed moments. His mass appeal and command over action and emotion anchor the movie effectively.
The film adheres to a conventional template, leaving little room for surprises. At 149 minutes, the film feels stretched, especially in the second half.
Katamarayudu is a feast for fans of Pawan Kalyan and action-packed family dramas. It carries the essence of mass entertainment but doesn’t break new ground. While it caters to the sensibilities of Telugu cinema audiences, others might find its predictability a drawback.
Rating: 8/10 Fans of Pawan Kalyan and high-energy action films will undoubtedly enjoy this one, but those looking for a novel story might find it wanting.
Review: Game Changer
Seven Re-Review
Movie Review: Katamarayudu
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