Wallace and Gromit: It's What's Inside
Issue #5
No cheese, FilmRunners! Not a crumb in sight! We’re shaking things up on multiple fronts this week. First, I’m happy to announce that I’ve partnered with The First Picture House to publish my content on their site, with more collaborations to come! Second, the format is officially changing: we’ll have a new guest contributor each week, starting with my friend Jill. Finally, for this week’s housekeeping note, both picks are Netflix Originals, so there’s no need to link to justwatch.com to find them.
Wallace & Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl (2025)
Picked By
Jake
Synopsis
Gromit's concerned that Wallace has become over-dependent on his inventions, which proves justified when Wallace invents a "smart gnome" that seems to develop a mind of its own. IMDB
Director
Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham
Starring
Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel
Runtime
1 hour and 22 minutes.
Trailer
Why
Shortly after finishing my review for Nosferatu, I needed something a little more lighthearted as a palate cleanser. I opened Netflix, and there, in all its splendor, was Wallace & Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl. My decision was made.
I loved Wallace & Gromit films as a kid—they always crack(er) me up. I love the low-stakes charm of their adventures. Fittingly, as I write this, I’m enjoying cheese and crackers (brie, for those curious) in the spirt of Wallace & Gromit fashion.
I tend to pick a lot of dark comedies, so every once in a while it’s nice just to pick something a little more wholesome.
It’s What’s Inside (2024)
Picked By
Jill
Synopsis
A group of friends gather for a pre-wedding party that descends into an existential nightmare when an estranged friend arrives with a mysterious game that awakens long-hidden secrets, desires and grudges. IMDB
Director
Starring
Brittany O'Grady, James Morosini, Gavin Leatherwood
Runtime
1 hour and 43 minutes.
Trailer
Why
Like Jake, I prefer going into a movie knowing as little as possible, so the experience isn’t ruined. Sometimes the trailer reveals a little too much for my liking. That’s why, the primary way I choose what to watch is scrolling and vibes.
"It’s What’s Inside" had caught my eye a few times during my searches, and I’d been waiting for the right mood to watch it. A sci-fi comedy mystery feels like the perfect pick to lighten the mood after the string of dark movies I’ve been watching. Just make sure you don’t look anything up in advance!
🎥 Reviews of Last Week's Picks
Caution, there may be spoilers.
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2023)
Synopsis
A young woman vampire is unable to kill to meet her need for blood, but may have found a solution in a young man with suicidal tendencies. IMDB
Director
Starring
Sara Montpetit, Félix-Antoine Bénard, Steve Laplante
Runtime
1 hour and 30 minutes.
Trailer
Jake’s Review
⭐⭐⭐✨ (three and a half stars)
This was a decidedly dark and delightful take on the coming-of-age trope. It was subtle at times in its approach, but it really pushed the envelope on some very sensitive topics (suicide, dying with dignity) and stuck the landing. I won’t spoil it, but I loved how Quebecois it felt at times and was pleased to know my French has somewhat improved, despite the fact that I still needed subtitles. I grew to like some of the side characters much more than I expected. Shout-out to JP! More than anything—without getting into the details—I loved how ironically human it was at times. If you haven’t watched it, I recommend it! Rest in peace, Rico the Clown!
Jill’s Review
This movie was so Montreal, and I loved it. It struck the right balance between dark and fun, and I had a really good time watching it. With strong writing and performances from the actors, I didn’t find a single unlikable character, even among those with small parts or questionable moral values (my boy JP—a fan favorite of all viewers, I’m sure). I appreciated the unique twist on a coming-of-age story that included all the classic and necessary elements of the genre: social and performance anxiety, “the first time,” and differing views from more conservative older relatives. Even though it is a vampire film on the surface, anyone can find at least one thing to relate to in the story. At the end of the day, we are all just looking for someone we can connect with on some level, and this movie demonstrates that beautifully.
Nosferatu
Synopsis
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake. IMDB
Director
Starring
Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult
Runtime
2 hours and 13 minutes.
Trailer
Jake’s Review
⭐⭐⭐✨ (three and a half stars)
Ok, hear me out. I thought this was a great movie, but it didn’t land with me quite how I expected. I can’t put my finger on what it is, but I’m starting to suspect it might be the pacing. The theatre heat cranked up and unexpected heartburn—oh god I’m getting old—didn’t help either. Having said that, I probably would have gave it four stars but I knocked off half a star because I didn’t personally enjoy it as much as I’d have liked, regardless of the reason. As I marinate on it, I find myself leaning toward a four-star rating. Still, I’m standing by my initial impression of three and a half stars as I’m not a coward.
Now that that’s out of the way! First up, stellar performances by the cast. I was a little pessimistic about Depp, but she did a stellar job. I thought Aaron Taylor-Johnson outshone Nicholas Hoult a bit, but Hoult also had a great performance. Willem Dafoe, as expected, was wonderful.
The lighting and aesthetics were fantastic. Most of the film was shot in grey and very dark tones, but the use of warm lights to cut through the shadows made for some beautiful (and terrifying) moments. The camera work was incredible, with the tracking shots of Thomas Hutter (Hoult) as he tried to navigate Count Orlok’s castle being a standout moment for me.
I plan on watching at least one of the other versions of Nosferatu to see how much the themes have changed, if at all. Through some light reading online, I learned that the dominant theme of Nosferatu prior to Eggers’s version was the fear of others, symbolized by Count Orlok bringing the plague to Wisborg, Germany, via his rats. I feel this contrasts with Eggers’s take, which I interpreted as focusing more on the oppressive nature of a sexually abusive relationship and humanity's worst instinct to consume indiscriminately. Orlok displayed all the hallmarks of a sexual abuser. His initial interactions with Ellen Hutter, when she was still a minor, felt like grooming. This pattern of behavior extended beyond Ellen to virtually everyone he encountered, with the sum of his evil ultimately leading to his undoing. As I said, though, I haven’t seen the others. It’s entirely possible that these themes were just as strong in them.
Despite the fact that I’m slowly talking myself into a four-star rating, the problem remains that I didn’t enjoy the film as much as I thought I would. Maybe it’s due to the hype leading up to watching it. Maybe it was my physical discomfort in the theatre. Most likely, I felt the runtime could be cut by ten percent. It is unfair. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Jill’s Review
Normally, I wouldn’t go see a movie with this runtime in theaters unless I was wildly excited for it, but I made an exception for Nosferatu (mainly so I could write this review). I was intrigued, and it looked like the right level of dark for my interests. However, I’m definitely not well-versed in previous versions of Nosferatu or vampire lore in general, and “monster movies” aren’t my preferred subgenre of horror.
I liked the general vibe of the movie and found it very Resident Evil 8—especially when Thomas had his overnight stay in the small village on the way to his client. I did wonder why they didn’t just provide him with a carriage, but perhaps he simply wasn’t high enough up on the corporate ladder. I also enjoyed the acting and costume design, even though I thought Count Orlok looked a lot like Dr. Robotnik.
Story-wise, I thought it was interesting enough. I was somewhat on the edge of my seat, wondering how Ellen would get out of the pickle she found herself—and her closest contacts—in. The dangers seemed to stem ultimately from Ellen’s desperate plea for love at the beginning (answered by our friend Orlok). Maybe there’s something to be said about her finding the strength to take control of her circumstances, transitioning from a damsel in distress to a tragic savior.
I don’t give movies any kind of numerical rating and don’t typically think many are a wasted experience. For this one, I’ll say that I did enjoy it. I felt it was a little long but not so long that I was dying to get out of the theater by the end. I also found that, even though it kind of “just ended,” it built up in a way that made it satisfying. Will I watch it again? Probably not. Will I think about it sometimes when I’m sitting in solitude? Definitely.
🖋 Closing Note
Thanks for reading!
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