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Lauren Coates

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Lauren Coates is a freelancer with a passion for sci-fi, an unhealthy obsession with bad reality television, and a constant yearning to be at Disney World. You can follow her on Twitter @laurenjcoates, where she's probably talking about Star Trek.

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
Shelby Oaks (2023) 55% C- EDIT “Though Shelby Oaks sets out with admirable intentions to create a new, atmospheric nightmare for audiences, the film’s pervasive lack of personality and inability to commit to a subgenre result in a muddled, often frustrating debut from Stuckmann.” – Nerdspin Dec 14, 2025 Full Review Weapons (2025) 93% A- EDIT “Infused with a singular blend of horror-comedy, Weapons (produced, written, and directed by Cregger) is a gripping, tonally dizzying film that’s as funny as it is frightening. ” – Nerdspin Dec 14, 2025 Full Review The Old Guard 2 (2025) 27% C EDIT “Though Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker’s script adds intriguing new lore and depth to the rules around immortality, The Old Guard 2 feels less like a film that can stand on its own two feet and more of a stepping-stone towards a finale.” – Nerdspin Jul 2, 2025 Full Review Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) 50% C EDIT “Though Edwards has had success with monster movies and action-adventure films in the past (Godzilla, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), his stab at a Jurassic Park story lacks the ethos that made Spielberg’s ‘93 adaptation a classic.” – Nerdspin Jul 1, 2025 Full Review Queen of the Ring (2024) 73% B- EDIT “Though ambitious scope renders the script clunky and the runtime slightly overlong, the film’s impressive in-ring sequences (driven by inspired casting) and commitment to honoring the history and craft of wrestling make it a winning (if cliche) bout.” – Nerdspin Mar 5, 2025 Full Review Babygirl (2024) 76% C EDIT “While Babygirl’s slick editing and sound design make for a memorable theatrical experience, the film’s vague, half-hearted script smothers any heat generated by Kidman’s full-bodied performance. ” – Nerdspin Dec 30, 2024 Full Review Wicked (2024) 88% C+ EDIT “But while Wicked boasts delightfully ethereal costuming and a pair of impassioned leads in Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the film’s bloated runtime and pervasive tone and pacing issues bog down what should be a feather-light movie-musical.” – Nerdspin Nov 23, 2024 Full Review Your Monster (2024) 79% EDIT “Where Lindy’s script may be slightly lacking, Barrera and Dewey are a match made in heaven, with a simple yet undeniable opposites-attract, will-they-won’t-they dynamic that left this writer longing for a series following their domestic exploits. ” – Chicago Reader Nov 20, 2024 Full Review Martha (2024) 90% 7/10 EDIT “It’s a bold, bracing documentary that’s valuable as both an insight into Stewart’s life and a larger examination of the evolving idea of American women in the home.” – Next Best Picture Nov 4, 2024 Full Review We Live in Time (2024) 79% EDIT “hough Pugh and Garfield (particularly the latter) bring intense, raw emotionality to otherwise by-the-numbers material, We Live in Time is an overall predictable addition to a strangely prevalent romantic subgenre. ” – Chicago Reader Nov 2, 2024 Full Review Piece By Piece (2024) 83% EDIT “Earnest and inventive, Piece by Piece in an undeniable sensory delight and a singular approach to biographical/documentary filmmaking.” – Chicago Reader Nov 2, 2024 Full Review The Substance (2024) 89% EDIT “A slick, cynical entry in the world of feminist horror and an instant genre classic.” – The Mary Sue Sep 25, 2024 Full Review The Killer's Game (2024) 46% 6/10 EDIT “While “The Killer’s Game“ may tread familiar territory in terms of its premise, director JJ Perry’s extensive experience with stunts elevates the formulaic script” – Next Best Picture Sep 16, 2024 Full Review Borderlands (2024) 10% EDIT “A video game adaptation that completely misses the mark.” – Chicago Reader Aug 22, 2024 Full Review Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2023) 90% EDIT “This French vampire dramedy may not be groundbreaking, but its strong leads and dry humor make it well worth watching.” – Chicago Reader Jul 10, 2024 Full Review The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) 68% C EDIT “Never reaches beyond familiar low-hanging fruit.” – AV Club Apr 22, 2024 Full Review Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) 42% 2/4 EDIT “Despite an intriguing subplot for Phoebe, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is an incohesive, unoriginal entry. It coasts on fan service to carry a paper-thin plot and a lukewarm crop of characters, new and old.” – The Spool Mar 23, 2024 Full Review Immaculate (2024) 72% EDIT “Unfortunately, between Immaculate’s cliches, incoherent direction, and shallow characters, not even the ethereal power of Sydney Sweeney can rescue this nunsploitation flick from damnation.” – Chicago Reader Mar 22, 2024 Full Review Every Little Thing (2024) 95% A EDIT “Through simple, thoughtful filmmaking choices and an eloquent, honest subject, “Every Little Thing” (like the birds themselves) is a small but mighty documentary that finds beauty in the little things. ” – Offscreen Central Mar 20, 2024 Full Review Frida (2024) 89% B+ EDIT “It’s not the first film to tackle the wild, colorful world of Kahlo, and it won’t be the last, but Gutierrez’s stylistic sensibilities lend “Frida” a vibrance and rawness to her story that transcends typical documentary filmmaking convention. ” – Offscreen Central Mar 20, 2024 Full Review Kneecap (2024) 96% A- EDIT “Fierce, foul-mouthed, and spearheaded by Peppiatt’s fearless direction, Kneecap pays delightful, dirty homage to a trio of unlikely revolutionaries. ” – Offscreen Central Mar 20, 2024 Full Review This Is Me... Now: A Love Story (2024) 75% EDIT “Equal parts music video, autobiography, and extensive therapeutic fantasy, JLo’s This Is Me… Now is an opulent, self-indulgent musical fantasy that makes for a fascinating (if dizzying) viewing experience.” – The Mary Sue Mar 1, 2024 Full Review Lisa Frankenstein (2024) 52% 4.5/5 EDIT “ Though it may struggle to balance tone, Lisa Frankenstein is a crass, unapologetic love letter to the horrors of teenage girlhood, spearheaded by an electric turn from Kathryn Newton.” – Chicago Reader Feb 15, 2024 Full Review Argylle (2024) 33% 2.5/5 EDIT “Argylle ultimately buckles under the weight of its own ambition, and the end result is a messy, overlong (if entertaining) romp. ” – Chicago Reader Feb 15, 2024 Full Review Mean Girls (2024) 68% 1.5/4 EDIT “Between the inconsistent vocals, bizarre musical arrangements, and misguided script updates, Mean Girls (2024) is a letdown, whether you’re a fan of the 2004 film or the 2017 musical.” – Nerdist Jan 13, 2024 Full Review
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