Gretel & Hansel Gets Lost in Its Beautiful Woods
Gretel & Hansel falters due to its razor thin story and lack of characterization. It loses sight of horror’s key rule: In order to create an effective tale, characters and emotions must be emphasized.

Jerome breaks out of his council estate gang and becomes a successful and famous footballer, but he soon learns that his old life isn't as easy to leave behind as he had hoped when his old gang catch up with him and start demanding regular payments.
Gretel & Hansel falters due to its razor thin story and lack of characterization. It loses sight of horror’s key rule: In order to create an effective tale, characters and emotions must be emphasized.
The gentle, emotional nuances of Evan’s coming-of-age story would have been so beneficial to have incorporated into the life of a POC character. Showing a Black, Asian or Latino young man that is afforded the space to be vulnerable, flawed and sensitive while driving a compelling and widely-loved narrative would have been a game changer.
The film didn’t have to be as long as it is. It just dragged on and on with scenes that had no substance. Every so often we get an action scene, and even those isn’t that fun.
You can have the best filmmaker and cast in the world, but if the script is lacking, you’re in a troublesome state. Such is the case with Gemini Man, a film full of tremendous artists.
The human experience is described through the eyes of a marginalized outsider, neither judgmental nor invested, just an observant donkey.
The relationship between the characters is what makes this film stand out, and it’s just all-around fun.