PETERSON REVIEWS
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‘Polyester’ is a Delightful Douglas Sirk Parody
John Waters’ 1981 comedy is a lovably irreverent take on Sirk’s 1950s melodramas. It also marks a major transitional moment in his career.
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‘The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love’ is a Sharp, Sweet Romantic Comedy
Writer-director Maria Maggenti’s feature-length debut captures the us-against-the-world intensity of first love with a light, charming touch.
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‘Hit Man’ Could Make Glen Powell Happen
Plus: The bland Max dramedy ‘Am I OK?’ is lucky to have Dakota Johnson and Sonoya Mizuno.
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‘Speak’ Features a Great Early Performance from Kristen Stewart
The TV movie, made when Stewart was just 13, shows how distinctive a performer the actress was from an early age.
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‘Dressed in Blue’ is Essential
Antonio Giménez-Rico’s reality show-esque documentary about six transgender women living in Spain is a powerful snapshot of a moment in time.
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The Emotional Brutality of ‘The Boys in the Band’
This landmark 1970 adaptation of the Off-Broadway play often feels like the cinematic equivalent of rubbing salt into a wound — for better and for worse.
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Johnny Huynh’s Musical Dreams
The University of Washington junior and Bothell resident is juggling school and a budding music career.
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‘Feeling’ and ‘Know Your Place’ Cut Deep
New movies from Joanna Arnow and Zia Mohajerjasbi, reviewed.
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‘Love Lies Bleeding’ is a Tense, Propulsive Story of Toxic Love
Kristen Stewart gives one of her best performances yet in Rose Glass’ noir.
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‘Harry and the Hendersons’ is a Slight But Likable Creature Comedy
It’s like ‘E.T.’ with Sasquatch and without the emotional weight.
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Greener Pastures
‘I Saw the TV Glow,’ ‘Furiosa,’ and ‘Evil Does Not Exist,’ reviewed.
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The Relatable Pains of ‘May’
Writer-director Lucky McKee makes us feel sympathy for the devil.
NOVEMBER 2026
The Theme is ‘Sibling Bonds’
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‘Visible Secret’ is a Low-Key, Surprisingly Spooky Romantic Comedy
Ann Hui’s 2001 movie posits what a rom-com might look like with a ‘Sixth Sense’-esque underlay.
October 16, 2026
August 19, 2026
May 25, 2026
Smoke and Mirrors
Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s inventive documentary isn’t just about the disgraced entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes.
October 19, 2026
Ghost World
Kaneto Shindō’s ‘Kuroneko’ is still forward-looking in its contempt for patriarchal devastation.
October 15, 2026
Strong, Stoic Types
Director-star Paul Newman’s 1971 treatment of Ken Kesey’s ‘Sometimes a Great Notion’ perceptively observes the corrosiveness of toxic masculinity.
August 7, 2026
