Steve Stebbing

The VIFF Experience – Day 5 & 6

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October 11, 2025

The 44th Annual Vancouver International Film Festival rolls into its second weekend, and Chloe and I are back to cover Days 5 and 6, featuring films that range from intimate character studies to surreal, politically charged thrillers.

Day 5 opened with Father (Otec), a devastating Slovak drama by Tereza Nvotová, exploring the trauma and guilt of a father after a tragic accident. Youngblood followed — Hubert Davis’ modern, socially conscious take on Canadian junior hockey, exploring race, ambition, and identity.

Then came Clement Virgo’s Steal Away, a psychological thriller blending obsession, secrecy, and historical memory in a stylized and unsettling narrative. The night closed with Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, starring Wagner Moura — a neo-noir political thriller set in 1970s Brazil, combining paranoia, surreal imagery, and historical intrigue, making it one of VIFF’s most audacious offerings.

Day 6 shifted toward introspection and literary resonance. A Private Life (Vie privée) featured Jodie Foster as Lilian Steiner, a Parisian psychoanalyst investigating a patient’s mysterious death, delivering a nuanced and captivating performance in her first French-language lead. Finally, Franz, Agnieszka Holland’s surreal Kafka biopic, used non-linear storytelling, dreamlike sequences, and inventive visuals to explore Franz Kafka’s complex emotional interior, family dynamics, and existential struggles, rounding out the festival’s mix of intense drama and cinematic artistry.

From raw emotion to stylistic experimentation, these six films reminded us why VIFF is our favorite festival of the year. Join us as we break down the standout performances, unforgettable moments, and bold cinematic choices defining VIFF 2025.

The VIFF Experience – Day 3 & 4

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October 10, 2025

Chloe and I are back for Days 3 & 4 of the 44th Vancouver International Film Festival, and these two days delivered an extraordinary mix of humor, emotional depth, and cinematic craft.

Day 3 opened with Philippe Falardeau’s Lovely Day, a Montreal-set dark comedy following a groom whose wedding day spirals into panic, family chaos, and personal reflection — a uniquely Canadian, heartfelt story. Next came the Dardenne brothers’ Young Mothers, a raw, unflinching portrait of five women navigating motherhood in a communal home, told with the Dardennes’ trademark social realism. Nouvelle Vague, Richard Linklater’s homage to Godard and the French New Wave, offered cinephiles a stylish, black-and-white ode to creativity, chaos, and the birth of modern cinema. The day closed with Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, a biting, darkly comedic satire of corporate competition and moral compromise starring Lee Byung-hun — tense, witty, and disturbingly relatable.

Day 4 shifted gears into the absurd, the ethereal, and the intense. Nirvanna The Band The Show: The Movie brought Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol’s meta-comedy to the big screen, blending time-travel hijinks, heartfelt absurdity, and the chaotic spirit of Toronto’s indie music scene. Dance Of The Living (La Lucha) followed with a tender, gripping drama about a father and daughter navigating grief, generational tension, and the cultural rituals of traditional Canarian wrestling — a quiet but emotionally powerful highlight of the festival. The day wrapped with After The Hunt, Luca Guadagnino’s taut, morally complex academic drama starring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield, exploring sexual misconduct, ethics, and hidden pasts — an intense and thought-provoking closer.

From grounded realism to meta-comedy, artful homage, and emotionally charged storytelling, these two days perfectly captured what makes VIFF magical — bold voices, daring stories, and unforgettable cinematic moments. Tune in as we break down the films, share our reactions, and celebrate the heart of VIFF 2025.

The VIFF Experience – Day 1 & 2

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October 7, 2025

Chloe and I are thrilled to share our first two days at the 44th Annual Vancouver International Film Festival, where we explored a wildly diverse lineup of films that highlight everything we love about this festival.

Day one kicked off with Christy, the much-anticipated biopic of boxing legend Christy Martin, starring Sydney Sweeney, tracing her rise in the ring, her fight for identity, and the shocking attempt on her life by her husband-coach. We also experienced The Blue Trail (O Último Azul), a moving Brazilian story following seniors fighting for freedom and adventure in later life, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Mary Bronstein’s unnerving, blackly comic portrait of maternal burnout — anchored by a powerhouse turn from Rose Byrne. The day ended with Late Shift, a gripping Swiss drama about Floria (Leonie Benesch), a nurse navigating a high-pressure hospital shift, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of healthcare work under strain.

Day two opened with OBEX, a surreal, Eraserhead-like RPG fantasy directed by Albert Birney, set in pre-internet 1987 and following reclusive computer enthusiast Conor Marsh as he becomes entangled in a mysterious video game that blurs the lines between reality and the digital world. The day continued with Blue Moon, Richard Linklater’s poignant biopic of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, set during the opening night of Oklahoma! in 1943. The film delves into Hart’s struggles with alcoholism and depression, capturing a pivotal moment in his life. The day concluded with Canada’s official submission for Best International Feature at this year’s Academy Awards, The Things You Kill. Directed by Alireza Khatami, this haunting meditation on memory, trauma, and identity follows Ali (Ekin Koç), a university professor who coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance after the suspicious death of his ailing mother.

Join us as we break down these films — and more — during our absolute favorite time of the year: the Vancouver International Film Festival 2025!

The VIFF Experience 2025 #1

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October 4, 2025

We’re already a few days into VIFF 2025 — my tenth and Chloe’s second — and we’re kicking things off with our expectations, early impressions, and a few exciting sneak peeks leading into opening day.

In this episode, I share my thoughts on a diverse lineup of films:

Deathstalker (2025), the gory, nostalgic sword-and-sorcery reboot from Steven Kostanski (creator of Psycho Goreman) with Slash as executive producer.
Orphan (2025), László Nemes’ haunting coming-of-age drama about a boy in 1957 Budapest confronting his family history.
Our Hero, Balthazar (2025), Oscar Boyson’s dark satirical drama following a wealthy NYC teen whose social media activism spirals into a tense confrontation with an online troll in Texas.
Mile End Kicks (2025), Chandler Levack’s coming-of-age rom-com set in Montreal’s indie music scene, which I called the benchmark for Canadian films this year, praising its authentic portrayal of young artists navigating love, ambition, and self-discovery.

Chloe weighs in on two standout films:

Factory (2025), a powerful documentary by Hao Zhou that offers an unflinching look at life inside a Lenovo factory in Wuhan during and after the COVID-19 outbreak, examining the human cost of modern manufacturing.
Blue Heron (2025), Sophy Romvari’s poignant semi-autobiographical drama about a young immigrant family in British Columbia, exploring childhood, memory, and trauma with emotional depth and artistic nuance.

🎥 Join us as we kick off our cinematic journey through our favorite time of the year — the Vancouver International Film Festival! Stay tuned for fresh reviews, interviews, and festival highlights all season long.

What The Hell Should I Watch? – Sept 26

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September 26, 2025

Hey everyone, Steve Stebbing here! This week I’m flying solo while Chloe is off, but the lineup is stacked:

🏈 HIM – Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions presents a tense sports-horror thriller about fame, obsession, and power. I dig into the stunning visuals, Marlon Wayans’ incredible performance, and why it almost—but not quite—sticks the landing.

🌌 A Big, Bold, Beautiful Journey – Kogonada (Columbus, After Yang) teams up with Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell, Kevin Kline, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge for a romantic, time-bending drama. I share why it’s visually gorgeous even if it’s his weakest outing yet.

🎬 Eleanor the Great – Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut with a heartfelt story led by the incomparable June Squibb. I talk about its emotional core and why it’s a festival charmer.

🧟‍♂️ Marvel Zombies – Disney+ finally goes full gore! I review this violent animated series featuring voices from Awkwafina, Simu Liu, Elizabeth Olsen, Florence Pugh, and more.

📺 The Lowdown – Ethan Hawke shines in this Tulsa-set investigative drama created with Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs). A must-watch new series.

💿 Blu-ray & 4K Haul – From 28 Years Later and M3GAN 2.0 to the classic Get Carter and cult oddities like Stallone’s Rebel, I share the latest additions to my physical media library.

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What The Hell Should I Watch – Sept 19

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September 19, 2025

Hey everyone, Steve Stebbing here with another packed episode of What The Hell Should I Watch? joined by Chloe! This week we dive deep into fresh movies, killer TV, and some amazing Blu-ray pickups.

🎬 Spotlight Review – The Long Walk
I share my excitement for Francis Lawrence’s haunting adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson and Mark Hamill. I talk about the film’s bleak beauty, the incredible performances, and why this is one of the best Stephen King adaptations of all time, possibly.

🍯 Honey, Don’t
I finally caught Ethan Coen’s dark comedy with Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans and Charlie Day. Find out why the performances shine even when the story misses.

💛 My Dead Friend Zoe
A Sundance standout about PTSD, family and healing, featuring Sonequa Martin-Green, Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman. Powerful, emotional and worth the watch.

📱 Swiped
The true-story drama about the creation of Tinder and Bumble starring Lily James and Dan Stevens. We break down what works and what doesn’t in this tech-world tale.

🕵️ Citadel
Prime Video’s big spy series from the Russo Brothers with Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra and Stanley Tucci. Over-the-top fun or too much? We’ve got thoughts.

💿 Blu-ray & 4K Picks
From Clint Eastwood’s Every Which Way But Loose to Sense and Sensibility (Ang Lee), Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, and Lethal Weapon 2—I share the latest additions to my collection.

Plus quick takes on The Terminal List, anime smash Demon Slayer, and more streaming recommendations.

👉 Subscribe for weekly movie reviews, TV breakdowns, and physical media picks every Friday at 9 a.m. PT.
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What The Hell Should I Watch – Sept 12

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September 12, 2025

Hey everyone, Steve here! Chloe and I are back with a brand-new episode packed with movies, shows, and Blu-ray picks you need on your radar.

This week I crowned what might be the funniest film of 2025—Micheal Angelo Covino’s Splitsville starring Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Nicholas Braun and more. We also (at long last and finally) dive into the heartfelt indie gem The Ballad of Wallace Island with the always-brilliant Carey Mulligan, and Spike Lee’s gripping crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest starring Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, and A$AP Rocky.

On the streaming side we cover:

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 (Disney+)

Joan with Sophie Turner (BritBox)

Korean crime thriller Yadang: The Snitch (WellGo USA)

Plus new Blu-ray highlights like Jurassic World Rebirth, Ballerina, Materialists, Bridehard, and Clown in a Cornfield.

Whether you’re hunting the next big theater release or a hidden streaming gem, we’ve got your weekend viewing guide.

👍 Like this video, subscribe, and let us know in the comments what you’re watching next!

📅 New episodes every Friday at 9 a.m. PT on stevestebbing.ca and here on YouTube.

What The Hell Should I Watch – Sept 5

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September 5, 2025

Well, technology may have tried to defeat this episode, but I persevered, slayed the dragon, and now it’s ready for your earholes!

This week on What The Hell Should I Watch?, Chloe and I dive into a packed lineup of movies hitting theaters, festivals, and streaming. I spent most of the long weekend in cinemas, gearing up for this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival, and we’ve got plenty to break down for you.

We kick things off with The Roses, a modern remake of The War of the Roses starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. Then I get into one of my more anticipated films, Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing with Austin Butler, Zoe Kravitz, Regina King, and Bad Bunny. From there, things get messy (in the best way) with the wild new Toxic Avenger reboot and the Canadian creature feature Scared Shitless.

On the streaming pile, we cover Vanessa Kirby in Night Always Comes, the animated misfire Fixed from Genndy Tartakovsky, and much more. Chloe also shares her hot take on War of the Worlds (yes, the Ice Cube one) and, finally, gives her thoughts on Bring Her Back, another common Australian horror film W.

👀 Movies we talk about this week:

The Roses (remake of War of the Roses)

Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing

The Toxic Avenger

Scared Shitless

Night Always Comes (Netflix)

Fixed (Netflix)

War of the Worlds (Ice Cube edition)

If you’re looking for sharp, funny, and brutally honest movie reviews every week, you’re in the right place. Hit that like button, subscribe, and drop a comment with what you’re watching this week!

📅 New episodes every Friday at 9 a.m. PT on stevestebbing.ca and right here on YouTube.

What The Hell Should I Watch – Aug 29th

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August 29, 2025

This week on What the Hell Should I Watch? I’m flying solo, but I’ve got a stacked lineup of movies and streaming picks to dig into.

I kick things off with Baby Assassins 3: Nice Days, the latest entry in the quirky Japanese action-comedy series. Then I dive into Sorry Baby — a powerful debut from Eva Victor that I truly believe is one of the best films of 2025 so far.

I also cover David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds, a deeply strange yet beautiful meditation on grief, technology, and body horror, starring Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger.

On the streaming front, I check out Eeny Meeny with Samara Weaving, a fast-paced heist film packed with sharp action and fun performances, now streaming on Disney+. Unfortunately, things dip with Amazon’s The Pickup, pairing Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson in a dud that wastes its cast and runtime.

For physical media collectors, I highlight some great new releases, including The Conjuring on 4K, the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake in steelbook, Karate Kid Legends, and Locked with Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins.

And as always, I tease what’s coming next week — from Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing with Austin Butler, to The Toxic Avenger, to Chloe’s scathing take on War of the Worlds.

📅 New episodes drop every Friday at 9AM PST.
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What The Hell Should I Watch? – Aug 22

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August 22, 2025

This week on What the Hell Should I Watch? I’m diving into some big new releases and hidden gems you need to know about. First up, Bob Odenkirk returns in Nobody 2, the sequel to the surprise action hit that mixes everyday suburban dad life with brutal assassin mayhem. I break down what works, what doesn’t, and why Connie Nielsen might actually steal the movie.

I also take a look at My Mother’s Wedding, the directorial debut from Kristin Scott Thomas, starring Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, and Emily Beecham. With family drama, layered performances, and some surprising connections, it’s one that deserves attention—even if it doesn’t quite land the emotional punch it’s aiming for.

On the streaming side, I cover Disney+’s The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, exploring how the real-life story stacks up against this dramatized miniseries. Plus, I share some new additions to my physical media library, including The Long Kiss Goodnight, Anthony Bourdain: A Cook’s Tour, Generation Kill, and even the classic Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

And Chloe joins me with her review of Jurassic World: Rebirth, where dinosaurs, chaos, and plenty of nostalgia take center stage.

If you love movies, streaming series, action, indie gems, and the occasional deep cut from my Blu-ray shelf, this episode is packed with recommendations you won’t want to miss.

📅 New episodes drop every Friday at 9AM PST.
🎬 Subscribe for weekly movie reviews, streaming recommendations, and physical media picks.