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Lynn Venhaus

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Lynn Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com...Presents, and writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat daily newspaper. She is a member of CCA, AWFJ and St. Louis Film Critics Association.

Reviews

Movies TV Shows
Mercy (2026) 23% D EDIT “In the third act, (screenwriter Mario) van Bello was not content to wrap things up logically but added multiple ludicrous subplots for a maddening over-the-top finale. ” – PopLifeSTL Jan 26, 2026 Full Review 7 Keys (2024) C EDIT “This had potential but lacked follow-through. With their relatable spark, Postlethwaite’s and McDonald’s sheer force in creating credible characters deserved better. T” – AWFJ.org Jan 26, 2026 Full Review Dead Man's Wire (2025) 91% B EDIT “What it lacks in character development is notable, but screenwriter Austin Kolodney draws from themes that resonate – the American Dream, our perceptions of fair and just, and how media shapes those viewpoints.” – Webster-Kirkwood Times Jan 22, 2026 Full Review Is This Thing On? (2025) 86% B- EDIT “The friends’ scenes seem to pad the film unnecessarily...Nevertheless, the family scenes are heartfelt and humorous without strained effort.” – PopLifeSTL Jan 18, 2026 Full Review Rosemead (2025) 89% B EDIT “While difficult, the film’s intensity gives it an urgency about mental health issues overall, and especially in the AAPI community. Grim but gripping,...Liu’s shattering performance lingers. ” – AWFJ.org Jan 15, 2026 Full Review Breakdown: 1975 (2025) 77% B+ EDIT “However, this is an insightful, engaging retrospective that had me at the reel-to-reel tapes of The Conversation while Donna Summer was singing her breakthrough hit Love to Love You Baby.” – AWFJ.org Dec 22, 2025 Full Review The Housemaid (2025) 74% B EDIT “(Feig) also strikes the right engrossing tone, mixing suspense, shock and silliness to guarantee gasps and build momentum. ” – PopLifeSTL Dec 18, 2025 Full Review Fackham Hall (2025) 74% B- EDIT “Prestige and privilege are gleefully skewered in funny farcical fashion, and while the plot isn’t nearly as engaging as the actors, "Fackham Hall" is a good time escape – especially those in need of a break from serious long-winded dramas.” – Webster-Kirkwood Times Dec 12, 2025 Full Review 100 Nights of Hero (2025) 68% C- EDIT “However, as a unifying anthem, the film waited too long to make a bold statement– and while motivation is always welcome, why dilly-dally instead of starting the rallying cry early? ” – AWFJ.org Dec 8, 2025 Full Review Rental Family (2025) 87% B+ EDIT “Hikari gently directs the film, showing tenderness and thoughtful interactions. One drawback is that we don’t know as much about Phillip as we’d like to, but Fraser delivers sensitivity and understanding when others don’t feel seen.” – Webster-Kirkwood Times Dec 4, 2025 Full Review Eternity (2025) 77% B EDIT “With its endearing cast and sentimental outlook, "Eternity" is an amiable romantic comedy that’s a cozy experience because of its relatability. ” – Webster-Kirkwood Times Nov 26, 2025 Full Review Nuremberg (2025) 72% B EDIT “...especially with Oscar winner Crowe in full command, is fascinating. However the account is fictionalized, Crowe is back to displaying the power he had in his prime, igniting the screen as the cagey, cunning and diabolical Goering.” – PopLifeSTL Nov 13, 2025 Full Review Die My Love (2025) 74% D EDIT “For all its fever dream fantasia and moody art aesthetic, this flailing psychological drama is unfortunately an empty vessel...For those who favor solid storytelling and some answers, Die My Love is a challenge to watch at best, and reckless at worst.” – AWFJ.org Nov 9, 2025 Full Review Christy (2025) 67% C- EDIT “The film’s muddled messages, particularly on women’s and LGBTQ+ issues, eventually crystallized in Christy’s hard-earned freedom towards the end, but by then, it was too little, too late.” – Webster-Kirkwood Times Nov 7, 2025 Full Review Blue Moon (2025) 90% A EDIT “A bittersweet ode to words and music, Blue Moon is not only a funny valentine to musical theater fans but a piercing exploration of a painful artistic break-up that’s relatable to anyone.” – AWFJ.org Oct 31, 2025 Full Review If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025) 92% D EDIT “...the stylistic choices make this tough to invest in, even though there are a few sparks of relatability. It’s overlong, and the concept becomes more contrived as its bumpy narrative unfolds. t devolves into chaotic, shrill storytelling,,,” – Webster-Kirkwood Times Oct 30, 2025 Full Review Ballad of a Small Player (2025) 48% C- EDIT “Stylish but slow and shallow, Ballad of a Small Player is an underdeveloped and overproduced drama that drowns in its own pretentions.” – AWFJ.org Oct 29, 2025 Full Review Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost (2025) 93% B+ EDIT “The camera becomes an intimate vessel for Stiller’s storytelling, as he turns the camera on himself and his family. It’s an interesting look at the generational lessons we learn from our parents and our offspring.” – AWFJ.org Oct 29, 2025 Full Review A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE (2025) 75% A- EDIT “While the movie unfolds its “tough day at the office” theme, showing how the seriousness of the situation affects these highly trained individuals, the underlying emotional tone of what’s at stake comes through. ” – Webster-Kirkwood Times Oct 23, 2025 Full Review After the Hunt (2025) 37% F EDIT “Ambiguous, pretentious and overlong, the psychological drama is a tedious watch because several lead characters are smug narcissistic liars who are morally bankrupt and intellectual know-it-alls.” – PopLifeSTL Oct 17, 2025 Full Review After All (2025) B EDIT “At first, interactions seem to be headed for one-note histrionics, but Miller and Christensen plumb emotional depths to portray a plausible complicated relationship.” – AWFJ.org Oct 14, 2025 Full Review Soul on Fire (2025) 67% B EDIT ““Soul on Fire” is a testament to the power of community and how faith, hope and love can be transformative forces in anyone’s life. This thoughtful, well-meaning effort has a message that is always welcome...” – Webster-Kirkwood Times Oct 9, 2025 Full Review The Smashing Machine (2025) 70% B- EDIT “Showing more emotional layers than ever, Johnson meets the challenges impressively. It’s a subtly powerful performance that can’t fail to move people, no matter what their level of comfort is for the subject matter.” – Webster-Kirkwood Times Oct 8, 2025 Full Review The Perfect Neighbor (2025) 99% A- EDIT “With meticulous detail, director Geeta Gandbhir reconstructs this case from the first 911 call through that fateful night with the official footage from first responders. This strengthens the case and creates an overwhelming feeling of tension and loss.” – AWFJ.org Oct 6, 2025 Full Review Shell (2024) 63% C EDIT “With a dash of satire and a whole lot of camp, “Shell” goes off the rails with a throw-every horror movie cliché in a finale that is part creature feature, part Dynasty and all B-movie insanity.” – AWFJ.org Oct 4, 2025 Full Review
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