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I’m a big, big fan of survival horror. It’s one of my favorite sub-genres in both games and movies. So, I knew I had to do a (spoiler free) anime review of High Rise Invasion.

Tagged as a psychological horror, we follow Yuri, your average high school girl, who’s teleported into a strange alternative Tokyo, dominated by skyscrapers that are connected with rope bridges. But she’s not the only one here. There are other teleported humans and Masks.

Anime Review of High Rise Invasion Masked Chef says hello
Bonjour!

These Masks have two major commands: to physically torment any human they find until their victims commit suicide by jumping off buildings, or kill a human that refuses to commit suicide.

But the other humans teleported here might be even more dangerous than the Masks that hunt Yuri. With no other hope of escape, Yuri must unravel the secrets of this world, gain allies, and fight for her life.

The premise of this series seems promising as I first delved in. I adored Battle Royale, Squid Games, and Alice in Borderland, all movies and series that show just how far humanity can sink (and rise) when things get dystopic.

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Pacing

For the first few episodes, the tension and pacing were perfect. The Masks are terrifying killers reminiscent of American slasher icons like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees who will follow you endlessly through the maze of buildings.

Even as the threat of Masks loses some of its luster later in this series, High Rise Invasion still manages to keep its fast pace with consistent fights and dangerous situations, right on through to the final episode. Pacing is one place where this anime excels.

Characters

The characters and their arcs were far less engaging. Within the first episode Yuri goes from bawling damsel to Certified, Gun-Wielding Badass. The men she meets along the way are one note. The women are more varied (though that doesn’t mean the writing is good), but you will see almost every single one of them naked at one point.

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anime review of high rise invasion: yuri hanging upside down
This probably speaks for itself.

The fan service is over the top and atrocious. Even female corpses have an 80% chance of having their shirts ripped open. There’s an obsession with mingling horror and fan service, but in High Rise Invasion it never once added to the scene or tension.

Beyond that, I’d argue that there are far too many characters as the episodes progress. By the latter half of the series, we’re constantly jumping from group to group, and often it doesn’t feel like it was necessary. The constant split focus prevented me from connecting with any character or caring about the stakes of the battles they fought.  

That being said, the one character I couldn’t help but like is Mayuko, introduced in episode two. They put the most effort into giving her a backstory and personality, giving her the most depth out of anyone in the series.

Image of Mayuko Nise in episode 2
Best girl Mayuko.

“It’s just human against human in this death match.”

Story

The story expands from Yuri’s goal to find her brother, also trapped in this alternate dimension, into one with a far loftier ambition. And that’s usually what I’m all about. I love lore; I love high stakes; I love secrets! But every secret is handed down to us through some random exposition dispenser. Yuri never stumbles upon or earns a great secret. It’s just… told to us. Sometimes by something as lame as a Mask who’s handing out lunch. Masks usually can’t even talk.

It never feels like the ambitions of Yuri, or other relevant key players, are ever really expanded upon. It’s hard to root for their goals when they themselves don’t seem to have a fleshed out vision of what they’re pursuing.

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What’s worse, though, is that there isn’t an ending. The series ends two or three episodes short on a “cliff hanger” that’s a set up for Season 2. I felt cheated. I felt robbed. That’s one of the lowest things a series can do.

Battles

What kept me watching for twelve episodes, other than masochism, were the fantastic fights. The Masks remain brutal killers throughout the series, growing stronger and stronger each time our cast encounters one. And that leads to some fantastic fights. Sure, there are moments of blatant plot armor, but even with that, the battles still seem close.

Mayuko fighting some schmuck.

These fight sequences are where the anime shine. And if you enjoy action anime, you’ll probably enjoy this, as they’re well sprinkled through the series.

Final Thoughts for anime review of High Rise Invasion

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Ultimately, this isn’t Battle Royale or Alice in Borderland. It’s a discount Mirai Nikki / Future Diary with less interesting characters, plot twists, and high stakes. Even the fight scenes are better in Mirai Nikki.

But that’s not say that High Rise Invasion doesn’t fulfill a niche. Most survival horrors are depressing and soul crushing. But High Rise Invasion is essentially a light-hearted, panty-flashing frolic through a lot of blood and gore. It tries its best to marry levity with a serious premise… and while it fell short for me, I’m sure that this’ll scratch the itch for someone who wants something casual and blood soaked .

I can only give it 2 out of 5 Cthulhu Heads.

Watch Time: Approximately 300 minutes

Trigger Warnings: Attempted sexual assault in the first episode, graphic violence, sexualization of underaged girls

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Movies n TV

Dexter Original Sin Gets Darker with Kid In A Candy Store

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Episode two of Dexter, Original Sin, was just as wonderful as the first. As a long-time Dexter fan, I find it added so much to the background of the story. And if you’re a new fan, I promise you won’t feel left behind.

The story

At the start of our episode, Dexter is learning the ropes of his new internship at Miami Metro. He’s getting a little hazing but is learning how to fit in.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Patrick Gibson in Dexter Original Sin.

Especially when he starts digging into the old files and finding new playmates for his Dark Passenger.

Meanwhile, Deb is struggling. She feels underappreciated and ignored at home. So, she decides to steal some jewelry from around the house for some quick spending money. Having little in the house in the way of jewelry, she happens upon a pair of earrings in Dexter’s room.

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Nurse Mary’s earrings, to be specific.

And finally, in what will probably be the storyline for the series, a little boy is kidnapped. While he looks like a victim from the first episode of Dexter, or at least dressed in the same school uniforms, we soon find out that he’s the son of a judge. And his kidnapping might have something to do with the death of Dexter’s biological mother.

What worked

I’ve often complained about slow episodes in a TV season or mini-series. The episodes that just don’t have anything going for them. The episodes that are needed to set up the story, but otherwise are kind of dull.

This is an example of that sort of episode done well. It is true that there were no murders in this episode. There was only one dead body, and it was already dead when we got there.

But that didn’t mean the episode was uninteresting. There was character development. There was comedy. And most importantly, it had a storyline that had a satisfying conclusion. Specifically, Deb stealing Dexter’s trophy earrings and trying to sell them.

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Patrick Gibson, Molly Brown and Christian Slater in Dexter Original Sin.

This little storyline worked on so many levels. One, it heightens tension because we know those earrings can lead the police to Dexter for the murder of Nurse Mary. Two, it shows how frustrated Deb is with her life and how far she will go to have a little fun. Three, it shows how far she won’t go when she refuses to sell her mother’s pearls. And four, it gives us a satisfying beginning, middle, and end of a story while we’re doing the necessary work of laying a foundation for the rest of the series. This was a masterclass in subplots.

I also want to point out that, so far, this series works by itself as much as it works as a prequel. I would watch Dexter Original Sin if I’d never heard the name Dexter Morgan before. And while it certainly benefits from its predecessors, it isn’t only relying on that.

What didn’t work

All that being said, I’m afraid there is still one glaring issue with this series. I hate Gellar’s character.

Yes, I am biased. But hear me out.

Tanya is supposed to be Dexter’s mentor. She got him the job as a paid intern. It would stand to reason that she did that because she wanted to take him under her wing. And yes, I am aware that a certain kind of teacher likes to knock their students down a peg or two. But she seems more interested in proving what a Strong Female she is to this college student than actually teaching him.

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And frankly, this is some of the most sexist stuff I’ve ever seen on Dexter. This show has a long history of being pretty good about gender relations. It passes the Bechdel test. All of the female characters have flaws, strengths, and personalities. It’s almost like they’re, gasp, real people. None of them have been the girl hero with no personality other than being the Strong Female until Tanya was introduced. And given how similar she is to Buffy, and how unlike the rest of the cast this character is, I sense some meddling from Gellar herself.

Do better.

I am so pumped for the rest of this mini series. It is clear that everyone working on this series, except Gellar, are huge fans of the original show. Everyone is going a great job, the story is great, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

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Movies n TV

Heretic: ‘It’s a simple choice that should not be made simply: Belief or Disbelief?’

‘It’s a simple choice that should not be made simply: Belief or Disbelief?’

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A24‘s chilling religious horror film, Heretic, arrived in theatres this November, forcing viewers to confront the unsettling line between faith and doubt. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, this edge-of-your-seat thriller will leave audiences deeply disturbed as Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) pass over the threshold of Mr. Reed’s (Hugh Grant) home where they undergo a terrifying experience that shatters their beliefs.

The Plot.

Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton are Mormon missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the opening scenes roll they are visiting houses in an unnamed, rural Colorado town. These houses are from a list of people who have shown interest in joining the church. After being rejected and ignored several times, they arrive at the door on Mr. Reed, a pleasant gentleman who invites them in the discuss the church, promising his wife is home in the kitchen to put the Sister’s minds at ease.

Welcoming the women to sit in his living room, Mr. Reed initiates what amounts to be an awkward conversation, questioning the faith of the missionaries. Sensing that something is amiss, with Mr. Reed’s wife still not coming to meet them and a storm brewing outside, the women decide it is time to leave. Sneaking to the front door when Mr. Reed leaves the room they find the front door locked, and the only way out is to go deeper into the strange house.

Highlights.

I have never really understood the appeal of Hugh Grant. I found him lackluster in Love Actually and just plain annoying in Bridget Jones’s Diary. After watching Heretic though I think the problem is that his career focus has been on the wrong genre. Hugh Grant is terrifying, but not in the conventional sense, in the creepy religious uncle that you only see on Boxing Day sense. It might be in the jerky way Mr. Reed walks, or the near-whispered dialogue throughout the movie. Also, whoever put Mr. Reed in those glasses is a genius, they give chilling Jeffrey Dahmer vibes.

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I must also note the intense monologues that Hugh Grant delivers in Heretic. It is hard to take your eyes off him. The ideas and theories that are presented are not unknown and rather convincing. I was surprised to find myself nodding in agreement with an obviously deranged and hostile character.

Drawbacks.

It is hard to explain the main drawback of this movie without spoiling the ending, but let me try. The explanation and big reveal at the end of Heretic was a bit… on the nose. I just couldn’t hitch myself to that wagon. I understand what the writer was trying to say. That there are people who have such strong faith that they are willing to give up their lives to prove the belief true. It is the way this is presented in the plot however… I didn’t like it and wonder if there might have been another way to present this idea.

The Final Take.

Ahh, how I loved this movie. Never mind National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Krampus or Die Hard, Heretic is my new favorite Christmas film. There is nothing more to be said.

5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)

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Returning to the Soothing World of Evil with “The Demon of Death”

“The Demon of Death” is the season 3 premiere of the supernatural drama Evil, created by Michelle King and Robert King.

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“The Demon of Death” is the season 3 premiere of the supernatural drama Evil, created by Michelle King and Robert King. The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Christine Lahti, and Andrea Martin. As of this review, it’s available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.

The assessors investigate the weight of a soul. Father Frank Ignatius (Wallace Shawn) agrees to participate in this test despite his growing disillusionment. David (Mike Colter) and Kristen (Katja Herbers) deal with the ramifications of their confessions. Kristen’s girls go on the warpath with Leland (Michael Emerson). Andy (Patrick Brammall) signs his death warrant.

Evil written in bold, a snake reaches for an apple. Beneath reads Season 3
Evil Season 3 Cover

What I Like about “The Demon of Death”

As season 2 ended with a cliffhanger, “The Demon of Death” picks back up with an interesting addition. The episode provides a more obvious stopping point that Season 2 should have taken advantage of. It dumbfounds me because this addition makes for a more interesting and darker cliffhanger. The added context would have made the cliffhanger more palatable. However, it’s a nice twist for the episode.

Dr. Boggs (Kurt Fuller) and Sister Andrea (Andrea Martin) make an interesting pair that adds complexity to both. We even explore some of Sister Andrea’s character flaws, best displayed by her interaction with Kristen in the next scene. Few wise sage characters that display flaws, making this addition appreciated.

Father Ignatius’ introduction adds layers of interest for a character who will play a recurring role, tying into Monsignor Korecki directly. The yet-to-be-explored relationship between Father Ignatius and Monsignor Korecki (Boris McGiver) evokes an interest.

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While “The Demon of Death” isn’t a haunting episode, but explores the mysteries and terror of death through science to provide an interesting environment for an episode. It introduces a new character that adds to the cast.

White background, rubber stamp with disclaimer pressed against the white background.
Disclaimer Kimberley Web Design

Tired Tropes and Triggers

There’s not much to report here that particularly crosses the line and what teeters on the line holds a dark comedic tone.

Perhaps Sister Andrea’s flaw might rub some the wrong way, as it deals with her overwhelming faith. However, it’s a minor point at the moment. Again, I lean on liking some complexity for the wise sage archetype.

A nun looks down at a therapist who lays on his back. The room suggests a therapists office with certifications lined up on the wall.
A Nun and a Therapist Discuss Certainty

What I Dislike about “The Demon of Death”

“The Demon of Death” still plays it safe with its supernatural elements, but that does seem to be Evil’s standard. At this point of the series, it seems a strange restraint. However, the new normal remains functionally paranormal.

While the premiere starts with an interesting procedural plot, it doesn’t direct the season like prior premieres. This episode doesn’t deliver a massive refocus as season 2’s premiere, but that’s because its conclusion doesn’t deliver as focused of a direction. Regardless, “The Demon of Death” is still an episode that slips away despite its premiere status.

Ben (Aasif Mandvi) seems needlessly hostile as they investigate a soul’s potential weight. The study delivers a thorough scientific process, which makes his resistance linger on the “angry atheist” archetype.

The demon shown on screen certainly isn’t the demon of death the title suggests. While the plot revolves around the mystery of death, there is a demon with a more carnal domain. As future episodes dive into their respective demons, it does seem to be an inaccurate title. However, the demon of the episode will get further focus in a different episode.

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Final Thoughts

“The Demon of Death” doesn’t stand out as a premiere but provides an interesting procedural episode. As Father Ignatius will become another key character in the series, giving him an entire episode to introduce him is a nice strategy. While it’s not a haunting episode, it still provides a level of camp with interesting characters to pull it off.
3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

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