The Film Monthly for April ranks the 13 films released that we at the TwilightRoom checked out and reviewed, highlighted by a festival favorite that remains at the top of another list, a controversial twisty drama that delivered better than expected, and a new stoner comedy for your chill Friday night. This month had it all and controversy and commentary ran rampant, critics and viewers placed against each other in a space where entertainment is key. Whether its Michael, Super Mario, or The Drama discussions were had and we at the TwilightRoom think that its beautiful, at least when its done respectfully from both sides, because that’s how film evolves and does what it is supposed to. It was certainly a conversational month for movies! Check out our predictions and forecast for next month’s soon to be hits and misses!
13. Thrash
47.9/100 – Tommy Wirkola – Available On: Netflix
Thrash feels like one of those releases that had all the pieces for a fun, chaotic watch, but never quite commits enough in any direction to actually make it work. There’s a version of this hurricane‑set shark thriller that really works, and for a while it feels like it might get there, sketching out parallel survival threads with just enough tension and corny fun to hook you in. But much like a few other releases this month that couldn’t quite capitalize on their premises, it quickly reveals itself to be far more surface-level than its setup suggests.
As the film progresses, the lack of character depth, inconsistent performances, and undercooked writing make it difficult to stay invested, with the action never fully leaning into either absurd fun or grounded intensity. What starts as a potentially entertaining streaming ride slowly drifts into forgettable territory, culminating in a final act that completely unravels. In a month where even flawed films managed to leave some kind of impression, Thrash ultimately feels like one that simply comes and goes, never quite delivering on the chaotic promise it initially sets up.
12. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
49.8/100 – Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic – Available In: Theaters
In a month that saw its fair share of divide between audiences and critics, Super Mario Bros. Galaxy lands firmly in that same conversation. Like a few other releases this month, it clearly worked for its target audience, delivering colorful spectacle, recognizable characters, and fast-paced fun that younger viewers and longtime fans can latch onto, but for us at the TwilightRoom, it fell quite short. The film leans heavily into scale and fan service, expanding into a galaxy-spanning adventure that ultimately feels more overwhelming than exciting, prioritizing cameos and set pieces over any real narrative foundation.
While there’s no denying the strength of the animation and the energy brought by parts of the voice cast, the film never finds a meaningful through-line, instead drifting from moment to moment without building toward anything substantial. What works in bursts visually begins to wear thin as the lack of character development and story clarity becomes more apparent. In a month defined by films that either connected deeply or missed entirely, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ends up as a visually impressive but ultimately hollow experience that highlights just how wide that gap can be, sitting at 12 on this list’s ranking of new releases.
11. Mother Mary
52.9/100 – David Lowery – Available In: Theaters
Mother Mary lands as one of the more divisive releases this month, clearly resonating with a portion of critics while leaving others, including us at the TwilightRoom, pretty cold. The film clearly worked for a portion of critics who connected with its ambition and abstract storytelling, and it will certainly find a niche audience that appreciates its artistic approach, but for us, it ultimately fell short. What presents itself as a bold, emotionally driven character study instead leans too heavily into pretension, struggling to translate its ideas into something genuinely engaging or impactful.
While there are flashes of visual brilliance, particularly in a handful of standout metaphor-driven sequences, the film never builds the emotional or narrative foundation needed to support its ambition. Strong performances from Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel are undermined by writing that feels overly self-serious and disconnected, making it difficult to invest in the central relationship the film hinges on. As the story shifts into more abstract territory, it becomes increasingly clear that Mother Mary is more concerned with appearing profound than actually being it, resulting in a frustrating experience that highlights the gap between intention and execution.
10. Apex
57.4/100 – Baltazar Kormákur – Available On: Netflix
Apex is yet another Netflix straight-to-streaming that sits at the back of a month that did not deliver on the quality of action and thrill it promised. However, one thing we did learn from the film is that Taron Egerton is absolutely the most fun, crazy guy in Hollywood at the moment and it is clear he just loves playing them. This modern-day take on The Most Dangerous Game adds almost nothing to the genre, leaning instead on a tired mix of waterfall-and-river chases, minimal dialogue, and runner logic that’s puzzling at best. The writing here leaves plenty to be desired, but when the film leans into pure action, the chases intermittently deliver the kind of straightforward, thrilling spectacle that was promised. There are certainly some films that sit below it on this list that took bigger swings, had much more potential, and for some audiences would be placed higher, but for us at the TwilightRoom, Apex was a safe flick. There is no controversy here, but there is no upside as well. If you want the high quality version of this type of story there are plenty of older examples, making Apex serviceable but nothing new and landing it at 10 on our ranking for the films of April.
9. Outcome
62.7/100 – Jonah Hill – Available On: Apple TV +
Outcome presents a clear creative ambition from Jonah Hill, but ultimately plays more like a rough sketch of an idea than a fully realized film. There’s a clear vision here, Jonah Hill stepping into a more stylized, character-driven direction, blending comedy with introspection, but like a few other releases this month, it never quite comes together in a way that fully lands. The premise of a former child star attempting to rebuild his image after sobriety offers a strong foundation, and there are moments where the film taps into something genuinely interesting about identity and ego, but for us at the TwilightRoom, it ultimately feels undercooked.
Despite flashes of creativity and a unique tonal mix, the film’s short runtime and unclear narrative direction prevent it from developing the depth it’s aiming for. Keanu Reeves delivers a performance that never fully settles into the role, while Hill himself feels more in control of the film’s energy, both behind, and in front of the camera. There’s an attempt to craft something stylized and emotionally resonant, but it ends up feeling more like a demonstration of potential than a fully realized project. In a month filled with films that either committed fully or collapsed trying, Outcome stands as one that simply needed more time, clarity, and confidence to truly work.
8. Lee Cronin's Mummy
64.2/100 – Lee Cronin – Available In: Theaters
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy comes in with a clear stylistic identity and a lot to prove, but ultimately lands as a film that works in moments rather than as a whole. There’s no denying it will connect with horror fans looking for something more grotesque and visceral, and at times it absolutely delivers on that front, but for us at the TwilightRoom, it never fully comes together, hitting a rating almost 20 points less than we had predicted. What starts as a strong emotional premise centered on grief and loss quickly gives way to uneven pacing and a narrative that struggles to commit to its own ideas.
Where the film succeeds is in its body horror, with Cronin once again showing a clear strength in crafting disturbing, physically intense sequences that stand out as some of the most memorable moments of the month. However, those highs are weighed down by clunky dialogue, inconsistent performances, and a story that takes far too long to find its footing before rushing through its most important moments. The result is a film that feels like a collection of effective horror set pieces rather than a cohesive experience, highlighting both Cronin’s potential to build out his filmography and the gap still left to close.
7. Michael
68.4/100 – Antoine Fuqua – Available In: Theaters
Michael is almost destined to sit in that space between crowd enjoyment and critical hesitation, largely because of what it represents versus what it actually delivers. For fans, the film offers exactly what you’d hope, iconic music, electric performances, and a lead portrayal that captures the essence of the greatest pop star in history. But from a more critical lens, where structure, depth, and narrative cohesion come into focus, the cracks begin to show, and for us at the TwilightRoom, that divide becomes hard to ignore.
Jaafar Jackson’s performance is undeniably the film’s backbone, bringing an authenticity and energy that elevates nearly every scene he’s in, especially during the concert sequences that stand as the film’s clear highlights. However, those moments are surrounded by a narrative that feels disjointed and overly simplified, avoiding the deeper complexities of Michael Jackson’s life in favor of a safer, more surface-level portrayal. The decision to split the story into two parts only adds to that sense of incompleteness, leaving this installment feeling more like a setup than a fully realized film. It’s a movie that will absolutely work for fans of the music and the icon, but when judged as a complete cinematic experience, it ultimately falls short of the monumental story it set out to tell.
6. Noah Kahan: Out of Body
68.7/100 – Nick Sweeney – Available On: Netflix
Noah Kahan: Out of Body is one of those releases that feels almost impossible not to connect with on a surface level, especially when you are at SXSW one row back from the star himself, and given how strong and personal the subject matter is, it will surely be a hit. Kahan’s openness about mental health, paired with his rise as one of the most popular artists right now, gives the film a naturally compelling foundation, and for many viewers, that alone will be enough to carry the experience. But for us at the TwilightRoom, while the story itself is undeniably powerful, the way it’s put together ultimately holds it back from reaching its full potential.
There’s a clear disconnect in how the film presents its emotional beats, with editing choices that undercut the weight of its most impactful moments rather than building on them. The juxtaposition of deeply personal trauma with lighter, almost contradictory scenes creates a sense of inconsistency that feels more like a filmmaking issue than an intentional reflection of Kahan’s life. It’s a documentary filled with meaningful ideas and strong material, but one that struggles in its execution by its director, leaving it as a mixed experience that will likely resonate with fans and speaks better to Kahan’s character than it does a film’s creativity, falling short of being the fully realized, emotionally cohesive film it had the potential to be.
5. Normal
70.2/100 –Ben Wheatley – Available In: Theaters
Normal was one of the films we had to skip at its SXSW premiere thanks to unfortunate timing with the Oscars Best Picture announcement, but catching up with it at the end of April revealed an absolute blast of a film that really shows off Odenkirk’s ability for effortless charm in the action‑thriller space. Sure, an action movie set in some random American town secretly run by the Yakuza, with a short runtime and not much on its mind beyond the basics, isn’t about to reshape the genre, thus sitting in the middle at 5 on this list, but its sheer commitment to keeping you entertained is admirable. Made by the same producers as John Wick, the story is knocked off of its hinges when Odenkirk’s character, the fill-in sheriff, responds to a robbery call in a seemingly perfect town, but gets shot at by his own co-workers revealing a much larger plot. For an hour continuously after this point, is action sequence upon action sequence, not between a bad‑ass twenty‑something super‑assassin or a Keanu Reeves type, but an ordinary small‑town sheriff who only barely seems to know which way to point the gun. It’s unique and fun and a great ride getting audible laughs and excitement throughout its entire final act. The flaws lie in its inability to really settle any development or complexity for a single character, even Odenkirk’s, as they dive about 2-feet deep into any backstory of importance. It’s fun and it’s rated higher than films on this list that don’t achieve that same fun, but at 5 is where the brain-off excitement ends on this list, as there is much more to film than that, occasionally. However, wholeheartedly take your Dad to this or show it to him when it streams and they will thank you, because the film is an absolute joyride.
4. Exit 8
72.1/100 – Genki Kawamura – Available In: Theaters
Exit 8 stands out as one of the more unique releases this month, leaning into a concept that clearly works on its own terms, even if it may not fully align with what some audiences expect going in. While marketed as a horror film, it quickly becomes clear that it’s operating in a much more psychological, game-like space, and for viewers willing to meet it there, there’s a lot to appreciate. But from a critical standpoint, that same concept-driven approach also limits how far the film can go, and for us at the TwilightRoom, that balance ends up defining the experience.
The film’s loop structure and anomaly-based progression are immediately engaging, creating an interactive-feeling experience that mirrors its video game origins in a compelling way. However, once those mechanics are fully established, the tension begins to fade, and the film starts to lose momentum as predictability sets in. Strong performances help ground the emotional core, particularly in how the story ties its central concept to themes of responsibility and personal growth, but it never quite escapes the feeling of being more of a great idea than a fully realized film. Still, its originality and willingness to take a different approach make it one of the more memorable entries of the month, even if it doesn’t completely stick the landing.
3. Pizza Movie
80.2/100 – Nick Kocher & Brian McElhaney – Available On: Hulu
Pizza Movie is one of those releases that knows exactly what it is from the jump and fully commits to it, and that confidence ends up being its biggest strength. It’s not trying to be anything more than a chaotic, absurd, dorm-room comedy, and for audiences willing to buy into that energy, it absolutely works. For us at the TwilightRoom, while it has a clear ceiling in terms of depth and overall impact, it delivers on its premise so effectively that it stands out as one of the more enjoyable watches of the month.
Built around a simple but brilliant concept, a drug-fueled journey across a college dorm to retrieve a pizza, the film leans into nonstop escalation, throwing joke after joke, idea after idea at the audience with zero restraint. Not everything lands, but the sheer creativity and pace keep it consistently entertaining, with strong chemistry between the core trio helping ground the chaos just enough to make it work. It may not offer much beneath the surface, but it never pretends to, and that self-awareness allows it to succeed exactly where so many similar comedies fail.
2. The Drama
82.7/100 – Kristoffer Borgli – Available In: Theaters
The Drama is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about, and debated films of the year, largely because of how its central twist lands with audiences. It’s the kind of swing that immediately splits public opinion, with some viewers praising its boldness and others completely rejecting what it asks them to sit with. For us at the TwilightRoom, that reaction is exactly what makes the film so compelling. It doesn’t just present a shocking idea, it builds its entire experience around how that idea lingers, forcing both its characters and the audience into a space of constant discomfort and reflection.
Rather than resolving its controversy or guiding viewers toward a clear stance, the film leans into the aftermath of its twist, allowing tension, uncertainty, and moral conflict to drive the story. That choice turns what could have been a standard dark romance into something far more psychologically engaging, even if it risks alienating a large portion of its audience. Strong performances from Zendaya and Robert Pattinson anchor the film through its most uneasy moments, helping ground a concept that could have easily spiraled. In the end, The Drama succeeds not because everyone agrees with it, but because it sparks conversation, cementing its place as one of the most divisive yet impactful releases of the month.
1. Over Your Dead Body
85.8/100 – Jorma Taccone – Available In: Theaters
Over Your Dead Body stands as the month’s biggest surprise and, for us at TwilightRoom, the clear standout, an under‑the‑radar blast of an action‑comedy that deserves far more attention than it’s getting right now. Coming off its explosive premiere at SXSW we attended, where it absolutely tore the house down, the film immediately established itself as a must-see, not just for its concept, but for the experience it delivers. This is the kind of movie that thrives with a crowd, feeding off energy, reactions, and pure chaos in a way that elevates it beyond what’s on the screen and into something unforgettable.
Built around a brilliantly unhinged premise, two spouses secretly planning to kill each other before everything spirals completely out of control, the film never stops escalating, piling twist on top of twist with a confidence that most thrillers wouldn’t dare attempt. Jason Segel and Samara Weaving are perfectly cast, bringing just the right mix of comedic timing and chaotic energy to ground the madness, even as the film becomes increasingly absurd. What really defines Over Your Dead Body, though, is its relentless commitment to entertainment, delivering one of the most fun, unpredictable, and crowd-pleasing experiences of the year. It may not be the most technically refined film of the month, but it doesn’t need to be, this is a must-see, under-talked-about hit that proves sometimes the best movies are the ones that just go for it and never look back.
Overall, April shapes up as a chaotic and memorable month, driven by a wide range of bold swings, divisive releases, and a few standout hits that rise above the rest. At the top, Over Your Dead Body clearly separates itself, emerging as the defining experience of the month and an under-the-radar breakout that leaves a lasting impression.
