Jon Partridge

YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING. The ultimate exploration of perspective and power, between three messed up psyches. The most hypnotic thing you’ll see this year.

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SWALLOW is atrocious. A new low for a #fantasticfest closing night movie.

SICK. A long summer at grandma’s gets weird. Very weird. In a taboo-breaking, genre tilting way. Certainly an experience. More of a crowd rouser than a pleaser. Probably the most bodily secretions I’ve seen in a movie at #FantasticFest

Loved loved loved THE SQUIRREL. My review of this bleak yet beautiful movie out of #fantasticfest over at @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/09/fant...

UPIRO. A stylish, and haunting take on vampire lore in a Spanish convent. Gets a little lost (and lengthy) as it weaves the tale into both mythology and mystery, but the final act pulls you back in. #FantasticFest

#FantasticFest Secret Screening #2 is ALPHA GANG.

I HAVE PROOF. Repetitive, ham-fisted, and just a chore to get through. #FantasticFest

LITTLE DOORS. A low-budget exploration of relationships in the end of days. Wonderfully wrought dead-pan humor, observational comedy, and abstract storytelling, although its core concept struggles to sustain the runtime. #FantasticFest

VICTORIAN PSYCHO squeezes a lot out of its sociopath in civilized society concept, largely thanks to Maika Monroe’s unhinged performance. Just delightfully deranged fun. 🍍#FantasticFest

#RIVER is just a masterclass in terror, and horror filmmaking in general. My review out of #fantasticfest over at @cinapse.bsky.social @blumhouse.com cinapse.net/2026/09/fant...

#PRIMETIME. The kind of film that leaves you wanting to take a shower afterward. (Compliment)

Ready for #PRIMETIME at #FantasticFest

RED SNOW delivers a great aesthetic, gnarly and creative effects, and an admirable stab at crafting a new take on vampire mythology. The story however feels all too thin and underbaked, stretched out leaving you frustrated and craving more. A missed opportunity. #FantasticFest

THE SQUIRREL is a cautionary tale about the creep of tech and isolationism in society. A worrying portent explored in an exquisitely built future, tempered by absurdist humor, and the endurance of the spark of life within us all. Also performing squirrels! 🐿️ #FantasticFest

If you’re into barbarian legend, squelchy gore, and puppet on puppet violence, then KYLGOR IN THE GRISLY ABYSS is the film for you. My review out of #fantasticfest over at @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/09/fant...

RIVER is a masterful lesson in terror, from first frame to last, and even into the credits. Buckle up for a wild ride. #FantasticFest

THE HERETIKS. Despite a full commitment to the horror bit in the final act, the buildup is painful to endure, with characters, comedy, and tone that would be better suited to the Hallmark channel. Just a wildly mismatched affair. #FantasticFest

Not every day you get to watch EXTREME PREJUDICE with Walter Hill. 🐐 #FantasticFest

POSTHUMOUS leverages the found tape genre into another tale of loss and letting go. Familiar fare, that well leverages tropes & trickery to keep you off balance but is a a little heavy handed at times. What resonates is a script and cast that lead with empathy. #FantasticFest

You can’t help but be drawn into THE SPIRAL. My review of the best film I’ve seen so far at this year’s #fantasticfest over at @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/09/fant...

#FANTASTICFEST Secret screening #1 is IN A VIOLENT NATURE 2.

THE SPIRAL charts a fragmenting family after a mother’s love drives her into a deal with the devil. An engrossing Faustian fable that delivers drama with a delectably macabre air. #FantasticFest

A PRAYER FOR THE DYING is a potent immersion in a Western town’s descent into disease. Fear, loss, & sorrow mount, hammered home by a focused script and committed cast. Some of the technical flourishes detract, but the overall craft here impresses. #FantasticFest

We’re on the ground at #FantasticFest and for the first time ever… we’re in print! Thanks to co-founder @davideo.bsky.social for assembling our 1st #zine! Grab a free copy at the front desk to check out some passionate film writing from some real human cinephiles.

THE ONES WHO GRIEVE. A slice of French folk horror that oft delivers on its undeniable ambition. Standouts include world building, exploration of religious fervor, & the utter bastard leading the story. Some narrative choices feel a little too neat or obvious. #FantasticFest

Beware Boiúna is a creature feature that’s more considered than most, but still delivers the terrorizing tropes and big set pieces you’d expect. A monster mashup of Anaconda and a eco-tilted survival thriller. #BewareBoiuna #FantasticFest

#RESIDENTEVIL  A joyous balance of humor and horror that is a riot to see unfold. Cregger nails his take on the video game experience, while Austin Abrams once again shows his charm and impeccable comedic timing. #FantasticFest

The @cinapse.bsky.social team will be on the ground this week reporting in on the 21st edition of #FantasticFest. Stay tuned for coverage all week, but for now, check-out the crew’s most anticipated features! cinapse.net/2026/09/fant...

And then check out the also-glowing reviews from the hive at @cinapse.bsky.social: @edtravis.bsky.social: cinapse.net/2025/03/sxsw... @jonpartridge.bsky.social: cinapse.net/2026/08/the-...

Welcome aboard! 🍻

Pretty taken with THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING. A warmly rendered, richly performed, and ever shifting story that celebrates not just the return of McConaughey, but also a new star in Angelina LookingGlass. My review over at @cinapse.bsky.social @ofcs.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/08/the-...

The AFCA celebrates three longstanding members with emeritus status, honoring their contributions to the organization, as well as the film scene in Austin. austinfilmcritics.org/2026/08/06/o...

Have to say, grounding a superhero does wonders for the look and feel of a film. My review of #spiderman  BRAND NEW DAY over at @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/07/spid...

Sad to report, I did not vibe with the latest from NWR. My review over at @cinapse.bsky.social @ofcs.bsky.social @atxfilmcritics.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/07/her-...

¡Viva España! Good to see the team that actually played the game win. The Argies can take their bullying, fouls and dirty tactics back home (Falklands not included). 🫡👏⚽️

Seated for that new Nolan in that fancy IMAX

My review of #EvilDeadBurns over at @cinapse.bsky.social Fans of bleaker horror will find much to appreciate. Those favoring the more gonzo approach of the originals less so. @atxfilmcritics.bsky.social @ofcs.bsky.social cinapse.net/2026/07/evil...

Are you a film critic who... - Has lived in Austin for 6+ months? - Write 2+ reviews of 300+ words (or 5+ original minutes of video) per month for a non-personal outlet? - Have been publishing for 6+ months? Come apply to be an @atxfilmcritics.bsky.social member! Open through 7/31 😁

The UK’s pick for this year’s #EUROVISION is the musical equivalent of Boaty McBoatface. The selectors were ‘avin a laugh…right?

What could possibly go wrong? 🤷🏻‍♂️ #ObsessionMovie

The absolute state of this…

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Closing put my #SXSW coverage with probably my favorite film of the fest. The debut feature from Dario “Danger 5” Russo. A brilliantly absurdist folk parable. My review at @cinapse.bsky.social cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw...

DRAG. Starts as squeamish slapstick and then descends into a pitch black comedy thriller. Very mean in moments, guaranteed to elicit hooting and hollering in others. Lizzy Caplan being put through the wringer here is a truly visceral experience. #SXSW

NORMAL. Interim Sheriff uncovers small town conspiracy. Hella fun feature that feels like a midwestern riff on the final act of HOT FUZZ. Odenkirk solidifies his hold on the unsuspecting action star genre. Just a gleeful smorgasbord of comedic carnage. #SXSW

SEAHORSE. A heartfelt work, centered on memory and metal health, with a father/daughter relationship at its core. Aisha Evelyna delivers a poignant piece as writer/director that points to a promising future in film. #SXSW

MONITOR mines some familiar horror tropes, but in a truly effective and resonant way. My review over at @cinapse.bsky.social #SXSW cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw...