Azrael

Azrael is one of those movies where the lead actress carries the whole thing on her shoulders. Samara Weaving absolutely owns her role with such expressive intensity and raw energy that you can’t take your eyes off her. She makes Azrael a character worth rooting for, even when the story doesn’t give her much to work with. Her performance is electric, and she brings so much life to a movie that often feels like it’s just... happening around her. Visually, the film is stunning. The cinematography and the dark, oppressive atmosphere set the perfect tone for a post-apocalyptic horror. The Burned Ones are terrifying to look at, and the world feels genuinely dangerous. But where it falters is the script. There’s no backstory, no real character buildup, and the lack of explanation for anything, be it the monsters, the cult, or Azrael’s choices, leaves you feeling like you’re grasping at straws to make sense of it all. A little more depth or context would’ve gone a long way in turning this into something truly memorable. As it stands, Azrael is a chilling, beautifully directed horror movie with flashes of brilliance, but it’s ultimately a missed opportunity. It delivers on mood and style, but it skimps on substance. It’s worth watching for Samara Weaving alone, but don’t expect the story to stick with you in the same way her performance will.