The update: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is Certified Fresh. Five in a row for the franchise!
The Accountant 2 (Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal) and Netflix’s Havoc with Tom Hardy round out the month of April.
The sequence begins with Certified Fresh films (Gladiator II, Rebel Ridge, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In), followed by Fresh films on the Tomatometer (Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), and finishing off with the Rotten team, though some boast beefy audience-driven Popcornmeters (Red One, The Killer’s Game).
The Black Bag (2025) Review: A Spy Film Masterclass
96% on Rotten Tomatoes (Certified Fresh)
Steven Soderbergh is the director.
Starring: Tom Burke, Marisa Abela, Michael Fassbender, and Cate Blanchett
Genre: Action | Drama | Spy Thriller
The Consensus of Critics
“Sleek in design and spiked with dry wit, Black Bag is an exemplary espionage caper that lets movie stars like Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender do what they do best—light up the screen.”
Overview
Legendary intelligence officers George Woodhouse (played by Michael Fassbender) and his wife Kathryn (played by Cate Blanchett) are followed in Black Bag as they traverse a treacherous, deceptive, and incisive operation.
The couple must outmaneuver formidable adversaries while unsure of whom they can trust, including one another, after a clandestine operation goes awry.
The film, which combines Hitchcockian suspense with contemporary action flare under Steven Soderbergh’s hallmark stylish direction, is among the top espionage films of 2025.
Reasons to Watch It
✅ A-List Star Power: Blanchett and Fassbender’s chemistry as a married spy team is Oscar-worthy.
✅ The Best Work by Soderbergh Since Ocean’s Eleven ✅ Smart, Gritty Espionage – Less Mission: Impossible, more Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy—this is spycraft at its most cerebral level. Expect deft twists, elegant cinematography, and razor-sharp pacing.
Who Is Going to Love It?
Those who enjoy slow-burning spy thrillers, such as The Night Manager and The Americans
Fans of Soderbergh’s work (Traffic, Out of Sight) or similar
Is there anyone who wants an action film that is more than just explosions?
Breakdown
Score for the category (out of 10)
Plot 9.0 Action 8.0 (More tension than combat) Acting 9.5
General Direction 9.5 9.2
❓ Common Questions
Is Black Bag based on a real-life event?
A: No, yet because of its fine spycraft aspects, it feels remarkably realistic.
What is the difference between it and Mission: Impossible?
A: More dialogue-heavy and less stunt-driven—think Marriage Story meets Jason Bourne.
Will there be a follow-up?
A: Not confirmed, but the ending leaves room for one.
Conclusion Black Bag
is a spy thriller masterpiece in addition to being among the top action films of 2025. This is a must-watch for fans of character-driven, clever espionage.
Where to Watch: Currently in theaters; streaming to follow.
Rebel Ridge (2025) Review: An action-packed thriller that is gritty and relentless
95% on Rotten Tomatoes (Certified Fresh)
Jeremy Saulnier is the director of Green Room, Blue Ruin.
Starring: David Denman, AnnaSophia Robb, Don Johnson, and Aaron Pierre
Genre: Crime Drama | Action Thriller
Consensus of Critics
“An intelligent and gripping vehicle for Aaron Pierre’s star-making performance, Rebel Ridge lays down the law on its action-thriller contemporaries.”
Overview
A former Marine with a problematic past named Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) comes to Shelby Springs, a small town, with the straightforward goal of posting bail for his cousin and then leaving.
Terry, however, is thrust into a vicious struggle for survival when dishonest local law enforcement, headed by a frightening Don Johnson, attacks him.
As Jeremy Saulnier establishes himself as a master of high-stakes, grounded violence, what begins as a taut Southern noir swiftly turns into a brutal, bone-crunching action thriller.
Why You Should Watch It
Aaron Pierre’s Standout Performance: The star of Krypton and The Underground Railroad gives a powerful, unfiltered performance.
Expect intense, realistic battle scenes and constant suspense in Jeremy Saulnier’s best film since Green Room.
✅ Think Hell or High Water meets First Blood in this contemporary Southern thriller, which is all about survival without any superheroes.
Who Will Appreciate It?
Fans of action movies like Green Room, Blue Ruin, and No Country for Old Men that are violent and straightforward
People who enjoy stories of underdog retaliation
Are you sick of blockbusters with a lot of CGI?
Breakdown of Ratings
Classification Rating (out of 10)
9.5 for acting (Pierre is amazing)
Tension 9.8 (pacing at the edge of your seat)
Action 9.0 (realistic, brutal fighting)
Direction 9.7 (the greatest of Saulnier)
In total, 9.5
❓ Common Questions
Is the plot of Rebel Ridge based on fact?
A: No, but it feels surprisingly real because of its harsh reality.
To what extent is it violent?
A: Definitely—you’ll feel completely at home if you enjoyed Green Room.
Will there be a follow-up?
A: Not likely—this is a knockout on its own.
❓ Common Questions
Is the plot of Rebel Ridge based on fact?
A: No, but it feels surprisingly real because of its harsh reality.
To what extent is it violent?
A: Definitely—you’ll feel completely at home if you enjoyed Green Room.
Will there be a follow-up?
A: Not likely—this is a knockout on its own.
Review of The Count of Monte Cristo (2025): An Excellent French Retelling of a Traditional Revenge Story
96% on Rotten Tomatoes (Certified Fresh)
Directors: Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière
Pierre Niney, Bastien Bouillon, Anaïs Demoustier, and Anamaria Vartolomei are the main actors.
Genre: Period drama, revenge thriller, action-adventure
Consensus of Critics
“Condensing Alexandre Dumas’ hefty tome into a brisk and lavishly appointed action-adventure, this French adaptation of The Count of Monte-Cristo hits the sweet spot with rapier-like precision.”
Overview
Edmond Dantès (Pierre Niney), a young sailor imprisoned in the gloomy Château d’If after being wrongfully convicted of treason on his wedding day, is the subject of this daring new translation of The Count of Monte Cristo.
With the aid of a fellow prisoner, he manages to escape after years of suffering, discovers a secret riches, and recasts himself as the enigmatic and affluent Count of Monte Cristo, determined to exact revenge on those who ruined his life.
This edition simplifies the epic work while maintaining its emotional depth and exciting revenge plot, which is full of swashbuckling battles, political intrigue, and lavish period detail.
🌟 Reasons to Watch It ✅
The Yves Saint Laurent star gives his best performance to date, combining anger, grief, and guile in equal measure.
✅ A Faster-Paced, Action-Packed Adaptation – In contrast to other iterations, this one retains the best sword fights and betrayals while cutting the fat.
✅ Gorgeous Cinematography & Costumes – Each frame is like a picture from the 19th century brought to life.
Who Is Going to Love It?
Admirers of the legendary vengeance films Gladiator, Oldboy, and The Revenant
Swordfight-loving viewers of historical epics (The Three Musketeers, The Man in the Iron Mask)
For those who felt earlier adaptations were slow, this one is blazing fast.
Breakdown of Ratings
Score for the category (out of 10)
Behaving 9.5 (Niney is captivating)
9.3 tempo (tight, no scenes wasted)
Action 8.8: Heists, prison breakouts, and dueling
Production Design 9.7: Magnificent Images
In total, 9.5
❓ Frequently Asked Questions: What is the difference between this and Jim Caviezel’s 2002 film?
A: This version concentrates on the vengeance plot without deviating from it; there is more action and less melodrama.
Does it stay true to the book?
A: Generally speaking, it preserves the main plot while condensing subplots.
Will there be a follow-up?
A: Not likely—this is a full-length, gratifying story of retaliation.
The final judgment
Sword fights, treachery, and emotional weight are all expertly balanced in this French translation of The Count of Monte Cristo, making it one of the top action-adventure movies of 2025. Don’t miss it if you enjoy epics about revenge.
Where to Watch: Currently in theaters; streaming to follow.
Love Lies Bleeding (2025) Review: An Intense, Vibrant Neo-Noir Drama
94% on Rotten Tomatoes (Certified Fresh)
Rose Glass (Saint Maud) is the director.
Starring: Dave Franco, Ed Harris, Katy O’Brian, and Kristen Stewart
Genre: Romance | Neo-Noir | Crime Thriller
Consensus of Critics
“Lust and violence collide to powerfully pulpy effect in Love Lies Bleeding, a well-acted addition to writer-director Rose Glass’ growing body of exceptional work.”
Overview
Set in the gritty underbelly of 1980s bodybuilding culture, Love Lies Bleeding follows Lou (Kristen Stewart), a reclusive gym manager, who falls into an obsessive, dangerous romance with Jackie (Katy O’Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder with dreams of making it big in Las Vegas.
However, Jackie’s passionate affair turns into a gory, adrenaline-fueled nightmare of betrayal and survival when she becomes entangled in Lou’s criminal family links, including her dangerous father, played by Ed Harris.
🌟 Reasons to Watch It ✅ The film’s emotional heart is propelled by the unadulterated, captivating chemistry between Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian.
✅ Bold Direction by Rose Glass: The Saint Maud director creates another eerie, fashionable thriller.
✅ Ed Harris at His Worst: A terrifying, capricious antagonist ✅ Think Drive meets Mandy with a feminist twist in this unique fusion of romance, crime, and body horror.
🎯 Who Will Enjoy It?
Fans of sexual, dark thrillers (The Neon Demon, Bound)
Those who enjoy violent, nontraditional love stories (Natural Born Killers, Bones and All)
Anyone who appreciates criminal dramas with a contemporary twist set in the 1980s
Rating Analysis
Score for the category (out of 10)
Acting 9.6 (O’Brian and Stewart are amazing)
Tension 9.5 (Unpredictable, relentless)
Style of Vision 9.3 (Cinetography that is gritty and saturated in neon)
Direction 9.4 (Rose Glass solidifies her status as a significant talent)
In total, 9.5
❓ Common Questions
Is the plot of Love Lies Bleeding based on factual events?
A: No, yet its bodybuilding subculture and grim realism seem surprisingly real.
To what extent is it violent?
A: Extremely—expect brutal fight scenes, body horror, and psychological intensity.
Will there be a follow-up?
A: Not likely—this is an explosive, stand-alone story.
🎥 Final Thought Love Lies Bleeding
is a heart-pounding blend of romance, crime, and body horror that stays with you long after the credits have rolled, making it one of the most thrilling thrillers of 2025. Don’t pass it up if you enjoy daring, unapologetic movies.
Where to Watch: Currently in theaters; streaming to follow.