Fantasy Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Fantasy

Gnarled tree trunk with man standing beside it in rural landscape.
Review

A Monster Calls

by David Jenkins

This inven­tive and emo­tion­al YA fan­ta­sy looks out how teenagers cope with depression.

2
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A hooded figure wearing a black leather jacket with intricate patterns.
Review

Assassin’s Creed

by Elena Lazic

Michael Fass­ben­der attempts to res­cue the hum­ble video game movie in this fan­ta­sy epic. The results are baffling.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Woman in dark uniform and goggles stands amid metallic railings in dark, moody setting.
Review

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

by Adam Woodward

Gareth Edwards opts for the slow burn over the whiz-bang in this Star Wars spin-off. The results are spectacular.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
A young woman in a white dress, crouching in a forest with trees and foliage surrounding her.
Review

The Wailing

by Anton Bitel

An out­break of mad­ness and mur­der takes hold of a small South Kore­an town in this superla­tive thriller.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A man wearing a black suit, carrying a suitcase, walking down a corridor with red curtains and people in the background.
Review

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

by Elena Lazic

This lav­ish Pot­ter spin-off set in 1920s New York severe­ly lacks for hon­est-to-good­ness mag­ic and awe.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Four creepy porcelain dolls and two girls in a dark, wooded setting.
Review

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

by Adam Woodward

Tim Burton’s lat­est is an enchant­i­ng YA fairy tale that sad­ly out­stays its welcome.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two women in red coats, one smiling, with a clergyman in the background.
Review

Aloys

by Anton Bitel

Swiss direc­tor Tobias Nölle stuns with this haunt­ing fea­ture debut about alien­ation and hope.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Person with bleached hair wearing turquoise and white clothing, with a pained expression on their face.
Review

Set the Thames on Fire

by Ewan Cameron

Lon­don meets its mak­er in this charm­ing, fraz­zled shoe­string road movie about two pals brav­ing the apocalypse.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A young person with wind-swept hair looking out of a vehicle window.
Review

Pete’s Dragon

by Adam Woodward

Disney’s daz­zling ode to child­hood inno­cence and the pow­er of imag­i­na­tion will make your heart soar.

2
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Young person peering out of a car window, with a thoughtful expression on their face.
Review

The BFG

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Steven Spiel­berg goes big with this mag­i­cal children’s sto­ry adap­ta­tion. But is it twist­ed enough for Roald Dahl?

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect