June 2025 Movie Reviews: The Ugly Stepsister, Predator: Killer of Killers, Final Destination: Bloodlines
The three movies we’ll be going over in this month’s movie article don’t have too much in common, but if I had to pick one aspect they all have that’s similar, it’s that none of them are suitable for children. So, tuck the little ones into bed for the night before you settle down with one of these titles best suited for mature audiences.
The Ugly Stepsister (2025)
IFC Films, 105 minutes
Well, here’s one that’s certainly not for those who are of faint of heart. If you’re not in the mood for some gross-out body horror, steer very clear of The Ugly Stepsister. Those of you who’ve been waiting for a movie that shows the Cinderella story from the perspective of one of the stepsisters that feels more tonally similar to a Brother’s Grimm-type version of the story though – rejoice, for this is the film for you.
I enjoyed several aspects of The Ugly Stepsister. The aesthetic of the film is great. The acting works for me. I appreciated that we get a look at these characters that feels more realistic (as far as this story can be realistic) and balanced, without a viewpoint bias in favor of either Cinderella or her stepsisters and stepmother.
As far as my overall enjoyment of the film goes though, I liked parts of it. I wish it wasn’t so over-the-top and that the film leaned a little more into the dark comedy aspects of itself than the gross-out moments. If the film did this a little more, it would definitely have more wide appeal. As it is, The Ugly Stepsister is an above average body horror tale for those in the mood for such a film.
Grade: 6/10
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
Hulu, 90 minutes
Predator: Killer of Killers is an extremely overhyped Hulu-streaming anthology film. The movie features three short stories, each featuring predators. We’ve basically got Predator vs. Vikings, Predator vs. Samurai, and Predator vs. WWII Fighter Pilots.
The film is animated, and the style of animation is pretty good – I enjoyed it. It’s solid and pleasant to look at, but at the same time it didn’t blow my mind or anything. I think that watching a live-action movie that told the same story as this one would have been more impressive with stunts and whatnot.
The three stories themselves, which do come together in the film’s final act, are super basic and generic. You’re pretty much watching Predator: Killer vs. Killers for the animated fight scenes.
The movie majorly feels almost like it could have been someone’s student project for an advanced film animation class or something like that. And then, in that (fictional) scenario, you’d watch this on YouTube where the Predator fan/student put it up and be super impressed by what this fictional person accomplished.
That not the case though – this is a very well-received movie directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who directed the recent Predator film, Prey. I think that, considering all of this, Predator: Killer of Killers is basically okay. If you want something mindless and animated about a movie alien villain, feel free to check it out. Just don’t expect anything amazing.
Grade: 6/10
Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)
New Line Cinema, 110 minutes
I’ve always carried a little bit of a soft spot for the Final Destination movies. They’ve never been great, but they can be a sort of silly horror fun.
Prior to the release of Bloodlines, there had been five films in the series. The original film from 2000 is probably slightly above average as it compares to all the other early 2000s teen splatter horror that was coming out at the time. The strongest part of the series has always been its initial concept: A group of people survive death due to a premonition only to have death seek them out one by one in a variety of other twisted and gruesome ways after the fact.
Just about every horror movie poster in the late 90s/early 00s looked exactly like this.
Films two through five in the series failed to live up to that first film in terms of overall quality. With the exception of the car crash scene at the start of the second movie, they’re basically just an assortment of kills that vary between disturbing and silly. Well, I’m happy to report that this new entry into the series is the best version of a Final Destination film that I think we’re going to get.
That’s not to say this movie is fantastic by any means – it’s not. No Final Destination film is ever going to venture into the realm of truly great horror. But these movies were certainly never trying to be masterpieces. Bloodlines maintains a lighthearted/fun tone despite its brutal death scenes, and that works.
The movie’s greatest strength is the way it builds tension. When you know death could strike at any moment just about any household object can seem sinister. I personally enjoy sitting on the edge of my seat anticipating Death to strike. Sure, it’s still mostly gory horror movie schlock, but it’s fun gory horror movie schlock. For what it’s trying to be, Bloodlines is a success.
Grade: 7.5/10