Movie reviews of Filipe Freitas

My Old Ass is a gutsy and endearing ode to youth, a well-crafted tale of living life to its fullest and confronting the inevitable fear of loss. It’s an enjoyable, life-affirming watch that will leave you smiling, even if its charm is more fleeting than indelible. Review

The film owes everything to its gifted actors coping with the provocative ideas of a script that becomes a therapeutic trust exercise of their own. This ferocious, dichotomous masquerade is never boring. Review

Although you won’t find anything unexpected here, a naturalistic tone is maintained throughout, which crackles with an emotional energy and cackles with a repentant laughter. Review

Despite a neat visual aesthetic marked by glossy frames of war destruction, the film gets lost in the multiplicity of its ambitions and tangled in conventional triteness and sentimentality. Blitz feels weighed down by its own limitations. Review

Imaginative, subtly disconcerting, and solidly performed, A Different Man infuses a dry sense of humor while packing a cathartic emotional punch throughout. It won’t leave you indifferent. Review

Saldaña delivers a sensational performance, bringing depth and nuance to Rita, while Audiard’s ambition and willingness to take creative risks deserve recognition. Still, the film struggles to work as a whole, and I can’t say I found it exciting. Review

Even if the film offers some intriguing meditations on its weighty themes, the narrative feels overly pared down, delivering little in the way of tension or excitement... Review

Although not particularly groundbreaking in its clash of modernity and tradition within the Church, the film at least never commits the deadliest sin in cinema: boredom, providing enough good material to keep its iniquitous fires burning. Review

Samudio’s direction is marked by precision and restraint, focusing on small yet significant details and situational clarity. The performances are heartfelt and layered, while the film’s formally measured approach draws viewers into its meditative exploration of connection, resilience, and the scars left by those we love most. Review

The Outrun is a potent neo-realist drama—compassionate, intimate, and unflinchingly honest. Its unadorned approach, paired with Ronan’s deeply affecting performance, makes it a compelling exploration of addiction, redemption, and the healing power of returning to one’s roots. Review

The personifications are remarkable, the pace is exciting, and the real ambition felt throughout is an aspect that intrigues. Review

I knew Caught By the Tides would not disappoint, as a raw emotional power permeates the entire film. Review

Daaaaaali! is as fake and annoying as its title. The cast is great, the film is not. Review

Though not groundbreaking, this political documentary tells us we all need to demand more from our politicians, advocating for a more compassionate solution. Review

Kendrick delivers an effectively unsettling film—directing without unnecessary embellishment, allowing the stark horror of the crimes to speak for itself. Zovatto brings a deeply unnerving intensity to Alcala, adding layers of dread each time he’s on screen. Review

Offering content that is frightening on a deep and dark level, The Seed of the Sacred Fig packs an absolute cinematic punch that draws viewers into its mesmerizing spell of madness, obsession, and resistance. Review

Set against scenic landscapes, Bookworm brings feel-good charm and beautiful visuals. While it could have leaned more into its quirky potential, and though some scenes feel slightly off and the finale a bit forced, the film maintains solid family-friendly appeal and leaves viewers with a warm sense of happiness. Review

While packed with Burton’s trademark surrealism, the plot feels chaotic, marked by frantic pacing, loose subplots, and forgettable villains. Review

Much of the action unfolds naturally, steering clear of the melodrama that often dominates family narratives. Unaldi’s unobtrusive filmmaking style shows promise, and the female cast members deliver particularly compelling performances. Review

This well-intentioned but toothless biopic feels academic; its staging remains cold and distant when it should pulse with emotion. Review

Despite these shortcomings, Phoenix always fascinates, though even his brilliance can’t salvage the awkward plot. The film never fully draws you in, but for fans of Phoenix, his performance may be the only saving grace in an otherwise lackluster sequel. Review

Bathed in vitriol, Dying alternates excellent scenes with other less successful—where incautious manipulation exists—becoming the sort of drama that one admires more than one enjoys. Review

Wolfs is clumsy, overly formulaic, and incompetently lazy, following a banal, unoriginal plot weighed down by cheesy dialogue and underbaked story elements. Lacking any type of genius, it’s a waste of talent and energy on all levels. Review

Despite the weighty themes of political struggle, futuristic utopia, and satirical pop culture, the film feels surprisingly naive, a grab bag of ancient sci-fi ideas and plastic performances that fail to provoke. Review