What is MaXXXine about? MaXXXine is Ti West’s masterpiece. It concludes his X trilogy and touches on so many things. The primary concern is the pursuit of and paths to fame. It criticizes Hollywood but also the way news media…

What is Pearl: An X-traordinary Origin Story about? Pearl joins movies like Sunset Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, and Babylon in demonstrating how crushing the Hollywood dream can be. Pearl’s relationship with movies is similar to the relationship many have with social…

What is I Used to Be Funny about? I Used to be Funny is about recovering from trauma and PTSD. But not in the hyperbolized, dramatized way that Hollywood usually depicts. Ally Pankiw wanted to tell a story that was…

What is The Bikeriders about? The Bikeriders explores the tension between the American Dream and the American Fantasy. One emphasizes having a comfortable, contented life—the spouse, the house, kids, and a decent job. While the other is about escaping the…

What is Inside Out about? Inside Out serves as a template that helps kids (and adults) have a better concept of their emotions. It takes something abstract and defines it in a way that’s understandable and relatable. The main lesson…

What is Inside Out 2 about? Inside Out 2 doesn’t stray too far from the formula of the original movie. But it manages to build on previous lessons. Inside Out focused on accepting emotions as they come. The sequel extends…

What is Under Paris about? People don’t necessarily appreciate the long-term dangers of environmental damage. So Under Paris uses its Jaws-like killer shark as a metaphor for nature-based catastrophe. It’s a trope-driven horror movie that can be enjoyed on that…

What is Am I OK? about? Much of Am I OK? deals with the complications of coming out as queer later in life. In that way, it serves as a PSA for people that, yes, it happens and it’s okay.…

What is Watchmen about? The initial wave of comic book heroes involved figures like Superman, Captain America, Wonder Woman, and Captain Marvel. Their positive morality mirrored the idealism of America following World War I. But, by the 1980s, the nation…

What is Hit Man about? Hit Man shares a lot of themes with Fight Club but is much more happy-go-lucky and for a wider audience. The various hitmen personas that Gary adapts are part of a journey to change for…

What is Bad Boys: Ride or Die about? Ride of Die is about faith. Whether that’s a spiritual faith after a near-death experience, a crisis of faith that results in panic attacks, or believing in someone’s character despite evidence to…