⭐️ 3.5 out of 5

The new film adaptation of The Magic Faraway Tree celebrates children’s imagination, updating Enid Blyton’s 1940 classic for tech-savvy Gen Alpha.

When their mother leaves her tech job to pursue a dream of selling Italian tomato sauce with her stay-at-home husband, the three children must put down their devices and connect with nature.

In the forbidden enchanted woods, the siblings climb a ladder to other worlds and meet magical folk who grant wishes, give treats, and offer wisdom.

Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nicola Coughlan, Jennifer Saunders, and Rebecca Ferguson headline the cast, with Ben Gregor directing.

Garfield plays a lovable, funny stay-at-home dad, showing off his acting chops in several emotional scenes.

Coughlan shines as a fairy who delivers the key message: don’t change yourself or your appearance for anyone.

Foy portrays a strong mother, while Saunders delivers memorable lines as the overdramatic, unsupportive mother urging her daughter to ‘get a real job’.

While the 1940 novel remains timeless, this adaptation includes current references that will age the film, like the son’s favourite game being ‘MineBlock’ (a Minecraft nod) and a school bus-plane hybrid resembling one from Fortnite, which he acknowledges.

It’s a special film and is absolutely worth watching. Today’s children will remember it with nostalgia, and parents will enjoy it too.

A key decision made late in the film may test the audience’s patience and feel a little too convenient, but the ending still delivers an emotional reward.

Beth, the eldest daughter, lacks strong character development, with her payoff feeling rushed and unrewarding.

Despite a shaky third act, the film sells the original book well; I wanted more of this world.

Of 17 international film adaptations listed on Wikipedia and IMDb, 15 had male directors. Of 7 English-language versions, only one cast a non-white Heathcliff, with James Howson becoming the first Black actor to play the famous character in 2011 after winning an open casting call.

Criticism for this adaptation centres on Jacob Elordi’s casting. In the novel, Heathcliff is described as “dark-skinned,” implying Black or Brown heritage and sparking debate over his origins.

Six out of seven English adaptations cast Heathcliff as white, disregarding his racial ambiguity in the source material. Elordi, who is also white, drew rapid social media backlash, dominating online discussion. Few positive social media reviews remain untouched by hate comments targeting ‘whitewashing’ or ‘unfaithful’ casting. Initial polarising 1- and 5-star Letterboxd reviews soon averaged out to three stars.

Knowing this context, I approached this film without prior exposure to the book or its 40+ adaptations.

To describe the movie using other titles you may have seen, imagine blending the world and setting of Bridgerton (2020-), the love story of Materialists (2025), the steaminess of Fifty Shades (2015), and the dark tone of Les Mis (2012)—the result is Wuthering Heights (2026).

Speaking of creative influences, the film is directed by Emerald Fennel. It is her third feature, following Promising Young Woman (2020) and Saltburn (2023), and marks her third collaboration with Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment and second with Jacob Elordi.

With Fennell, Robbie, and Elordi attached, a bidding war erupted in October 2024. Netflix offered $150M, but LuckyChap’s first-look deal with Warner Bros. secured the project for $80M, guaranteeing theatrical release and a major marketing campaign.

I would rate the film 3/5, plus an extra star for making me cry. The costume and production design were impressive, and the orchestral score was memorable; I’ve had it on repeat all weekend. The film held my attention from start to finish; I found myself gripping every word and on the edge of my seat.

Four days after release, the film has dominated the global box office, recouping its $80M budget and becoming the most financially successful adaptation by far.

After learning more about the source material, I understand why book fans aren’t satisfied with the adaptation. On paper, the actor who plays Nate Jacobs—a hot, cruel, abusive character—makes the perfect Gen Z Heathcliff. But while the book is dark, multi-generational, and horrific, the movie is sugary sweet and loses much of that darkness.

Reflecting on this, I think the discrepancy in reviews arises because some people, myself included, view the film as an excellent standalone romantic tragedy, while others see it as an adaptation and judge it as lacking or deviating from the themes and qualities of a good, iconic, classic book.

After going through a devastating breakup with ex-girlfriend Kiki (Bernie Van Tiel), the titular Lesbian Space Princess, Princess Saira (Shabana Azeez) receives an ultimatum from her ex’s kidnappers: she has 24 hours to deliver the most powerful weapon known to lesbian kind—her royal labrys—or else risk Kiki’s life.

What follows is the story of Saira leaving the safety bubble of gay space to bail out bounty-hunter Kiki from her impending doom.

With endearing yet outrageously hilarious adult animation, South Australian writers/directors Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs combine their years of experience in animation, production design and musical comedy to make their directorial feature debut in the most iconic way possible.

Following a successful world premiere at the Berlinale Film Festival in Germany earlier this year, the Australian film has already been picked up by distributors worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

And now, the WeMAT Studios’ original has received its long-awaited Australian theatrical release via Umbrella Entertainment with one thing for sure: Lesbian Space Princess is a highly quotable delight with the early makings of a cult classic.

Animated films (across several genres) have really been taking off this year. K-Pop Demon Hunters and Ne Zha 2 have been massive successes, with the former becoming the most-streamed title (ever) on Netflix after only two months and the latter becoming the first animated film in history to surpass $2 billion at the global box office (landing itself in the top five highest-grossing films of all time).

Now, Australia is getting its very own piece of the pie with Lesbian Space Princess, a much more indie production and, unlike KPDH and NZ2, most definitely not for kids.

In conversation with Not Safe For Queers, Leela Varghese, award-winning Australian writer/director, explains that they, “just wanted to make something that was joyful and silly and fun and didn’t take itself too seriously.”

“We wanted it to be like this fun night at the cinema.”

Testament to their directorial abilities, Lesbian Space Princess is absolutely a comfort watch. Leaning into the campy sci-fi tropes we’ve all grown up loving while making room for fresh ideas, what I loved most was that Saira’s queerness wasn’t something she ever had to battle or come to terms with. Living on a planet aptly named ‘Clitapolis’, everyone is a Lesbian, and her main struggles are instead focused on her sadness and negative self-criticism.

Varghese shares, “at the beginning of the movie, [Princess Saira] hasn’t really found comfort with herself. She doesn’t feel like she fits in where she’s grown up. It’s that classic coming-of-age thing where you have to leave where you’re from in order to find yourself—because sometimes you’re not the problem, you’re just not in the right environment; you haven’t made the right friends yet; you haven’t met the right romantic love interests.”

As Saira sets off on her mission, we’re taken on a wild ride too, all while devouring the film’s razor-sharp script and memorable soundtrack.

In a later conversation with lead actress Shabana Azeez, we bond over hilarious moments with ‘Problematic Spaceship’ and the ‘D&M Bathroom Girl’. Azeez shares, “There are so many iconic lines in this movie,” comparing the laugh-out-loud script to classic American teen flicks like Mean Girls and She’s The Man.

When asked about the different audience reactions as it premiered at film festivals around the world, Azeez says that when it played at Frameline49 in San Francisco, “they were like, hooting and hollering and like, banging things. They were screaming, and I mean screaming. I love American audiences. Oh my God, the passion!”

One other audience reaction I was keen to ask about was from the Germans, after a character called the ‘gay space safety bubble’ playfully mocks the accent by speaking gibberish. Co-writer/director and animator Emma Hough Hobbs shares that at Berlinale75, where the film went on to win the coveted Teddy Award for Best Feature Film, “they loved that joke. They definitely took it very well. I forgot that that joke was in there until we sat down and I was like, oh no…”

Visually, there isn’t a shot in Lesbian Space Princess that doesn’t feel purposeful, the backgrounds are packed with detail, and the cast absolutely delivers, featuring a mix of voiceover newbies and seasoned actors, including familiar voices like Richard Roxburgh, Aunty Donna, and RuPaul’s Drag Race alumnus Kween Kong.

Actress Azeez mentions, “there’s so much detail in this movie that I feel like you can watch it 15 times and then you’ll get all the jokes…they packed it full of humour in every possible crevice.”

For those with watchful eyes, pay close attention to some of the seriously dark stickers aboard the problematic spaceship, hints Azeez.

The soundtrack of this film deserves an article of its own. With incredibly memorable tracks voiced by Gemma Chua-Tran, Varghese reveals that, “the idea behind it was that Willow, the character, that album that they write, which is called ‘Songs Specifically About Saira’, are the songs you hear throughout the movie.”

Lesbian Space Princess is a fresh, campy, heartfelt queer adult animation with killer jokes, standout writing, and a catchy soundtrack that delivers something genuinely exceptional, with a hand-made charm.

To support Aussie, queer, indie film (that also happens to be one of 2025’s highlights), catch Lesbian Space Princess now streaming on Netflix.

In that time, I’ve played through the game six times—clocking well over 100 hours—eventually collecting the platinum trophy for unlocking every achievement (yes, including with both ‘grounded’ and ‘permadeath’ modes switched on…at the same time). I’m quite literally placed in the top 1.6% of players across the world. Am I okay mentally? Next question.

With one of my favourite games now being adapted into the second season of the hit HBO series of the same name, to say I’m excited would be an understatement. I’m moments away from frothing at the mouth and twitching with joy…but don’t worry, I’m not infected 😉

Despite what the majority of gamers may want you to think (more on that later), TLOU isn’t ‘just a game’; it’s a masterclass in storytelling, and a genuinely history-making moment for LGBTQIA+ representation in gaming.

I personally love it for its emotionally rich and layered characters, and how it avoids relying on tired and boring tropes we’ve seen in a million movies. And while it isn’t exactly ‘fun’—because it can get very heavy-hearted and hit vocal cord-shredding levels of scary—it’s cute, it’s genuinely shocking, and I still cry every time.

So, if you’re unfamiliar with the second game, you’ve forgotten the details (it’s been a while, I get it) or you’re simply eager to understand just how queerer TLOU gets in season two, here’s a quick rundown.

We kick off four years after the events of the first game. Ellie (Bella Ramsey), now nineteen, lives with Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Tommy (Gabriel Luna) in a small town in Wyoming. Honestly? They’re kind of thriving. The Jackson community (led by Tommy and Maria (Rutina Wesley)) has electricity, kids running around, restaurants. You almost forget they’re living in a post-apocalyptic world. But don’t worry, babes, that doesn’t last long.

One of the central relationships in TLOU Part II that we’re dying to witness this season is between Ellie and Dina (played by Gen Z icon Isabela Merced). We did see hints at Ellie’s sexuality in the first season, but it wasn’t until we met Riley (Storm Reid) that we realised that Ellie was one of us (*holds up limp wrist*). I’m trying to make light of it now because if I remember what happened to Riley, and how quickly their cute arcade date turned into Riley getting infected and then Ellie choosing to mercy kill her before she fully turned…I’ll probably start crying, and we don’t want that.

With Ellie now all grown up, what I admire about her relationship with Dina is its authenticity. We really haven’t thanked the gorgeous minds over at Naughty Dog enough for giving us such a heartwarming (and at times, heartbreaking), messy portrayal of love, loyalty and sacrifice in what is ostensibly a zombie game.

In addition to a sapphic storyline, however, we might also be getting get a trans storyline this season (heavy on the might). In TLOU Part II, we meet Lev who, unfortunately, has his entire community reject him, forcing him to go on the run with his older sister.

In the game, Lev is a trans thirteen-year-old born into a highly religious cult known as the ‘Seraphites’. After being forced into marriage as a ‘child bride’, Lev shaves his head in retaliation. Shortly after, the Seraphites discover his plans to present as a boy, branding him an ‘apostate’ and planning to use a deadly punishment.

With his own mother also refusing to acknowledge his true identity, Lev’s story is one of the most powerful queer narratives I’ve ever seen in a game.

When we interact with him, he never has to ‘come out’. He simply exists. His identity is respected without question by Abby, another main character we eventually play as, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever in the upcoming season.

In one of the most authentic trans moments in gaming history, there’s a scene where someone calls Lev by his dead name. Later, he quietly asks Abby, “Did you hear what they called me?” She says, “Yeah.” He pauses, “Do you want to ask me about it?” Abby responds, “Do you want me to ask you about it?” Another pause. “…No.”

“Okay.”

That’s it. No speech or trauma dump. No grand coming out moment. Abby respects him and doesn’t require an explanation, allowing him to decide what he feels comfortable sharing rather than putting him on the spot and asking him point blank. Take notes, people!! I think we’ve all had someone say, “Can I ask you something, but you don’t have to answer”. BYE!

When Part II was released, the internet went wild. Internet trolls came out in full force, and people complained that the franchise had ‘gone woke’. The game was even review-bombed. Some ‘fans’ couldn’t handle only getting to play as two strong female characters, watching a queer couple AND hearing about trans storylines all at once. It was categorically Not Safe For Queers.

Won’t anyone think about the straight men who just want to shoot zombies? Critical thinking? I hardly know her. They don’t want to be subjected to a commentary about the cycle of violence and faced with the consequences of their character’s actions.

But here’s the thing, TLOU has never been just about zombies. It’s about survival, grief, love, identity, and, most importantly, how everyone is loved by someone. There are no NPCs in life; everyone is a protagonist or antagonist, and the answer changes depending on who you ask.

The Last of Us season 2 streams on Max from April 14.

Don’t ask me how many times I’ve played the 2015 PlayStation game Until Dawn. Actually, I’ll tell you. Eight times. Four on my own, to see different endings, and four with friends and family, where I channelled my inner Dr. Hill and watched them try to solve the mystery of the night and make it out alive.

So when Sony announced that it would be making the coveted game into a film, I was a little nervous. How do you make a game in which everyone who played it received a different ending, tied to the choices (good or bad) they made in the game, into a movie?

Some people (me included) replayed the game until every character was saved, while others intentionally sought out all the gruesome ways your characters can be killed. The choice was yours!

A film, however, is one long cutscene. The player is demoted to a viewer with no control over the events or choices and is forced to sit back and watch it all unfold. This can be frustrating, especially in horror, where people are known for making dumb choices that prolong the danger they’re in.

Until Dawn also featured a really amazing cast, including actors Rami Malek, Hayden Panettiere, and Jordan Fisher. However, a lot can change in ten years, and trying to bring back these actors would quickly prove very expensive for Sony. So, they decided not to bring back anyone except Peter Stormare, who played Dr. Hill, the narrator who appears throughout the entire Dark Pictures Anthology franchise.

Retelling the story without including the original actors who made the game so iconic would be criminal. And the poor unfortunate souls stepping into these very big shoes would be automatically compared and dissected against their A-lister counterparts, which would not be fun for anyone.

So, when it was revealed a few weeks ago that this film would be creating a brand new story with brand new characters, I let out a little sigh of relief, but it also made me want to ask some new questions.

Is this really ‘Until Dawn’ if the story is completely different?

Is this ‘Until Dawn’ if the iconic enemies wouldn’t be making a reappearance?

Then the trailer dropped, and so did my jaw.

It’s giving ‘Happy Death Day’ but less iconic.

Unsurprisingly, the comments were overwhelmingly negative.

“Until dawn: A game where one's choices are irreversible. 
This movie: REWIND TIME” - @reefs7386

"The directors: Omg we love the Until Dawn game soo much we wanted to create SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT" - @marcoterres3421

"imagine books being adapted this way. Like a movie titled Harry Potter about a guy named Jeff in Florida." - @davidtheriault1421

"Let['s] steal the Until Dawn title and just make up our own movie" - @mandii91gates

But here’s the thing: after watching the trailer, I’m not that mad about it.

There’s something kind of meta about a game where players would replay chapters to undo their bad decisions and achieve the perfect ending—ensuring everyone’s survival—being turned into a movie where the characters constantly die, only to keep reliving the night and try to save themselves.

This might be a controversial statement, but if you purchased a video game with a shorter-than-average story and only played through it once without going back to see the alternate endings, then you were never invested enough in the game for me to care about your opinion.

Until Dawn is a game that was very clearly intended to be replayed multiple times, where you make different decisions each playthrough to see different endings. Almost all its achievements remain locked after your first playthrough, and it actively encourages you to play again and make other choices.

Film is a different medium, so you need to be able to adapt the way you tell the narrative. If Netflix hadn’t killed its Interactive Special library, where viewers are at the forefront of what happens next (remember Black Mirror: Bandersnatch), then they might have been able to do something fun there. But horror belongs at the cinema, so they decided to make the film into a mini choose-your-own where the characters are the players, and we watch as they learn the rules and try to last before they die forever.

Despite all the negative chatter online, I’m still looking forward to this film. They’ve already teased that certain monsters that appeared throughout the franchise's various games will be returning, which I can’t wait to see, and we get to watch new young actors continue to climb the ranks of stardom and take on bigger roles.

With actors such as Ella Rubin, Odessa A'zion, Michael Cimino, Ji-young Yoo, Belmont Cameli, and Maia Mitchell set to appear, this has the potential to be a fun horror adventure.

If it’s terrible, I’ll be the first to say so, but I have my fingers crossed that this will be a campy bloodbath with nods to the source material while still setting off on its own.

Until Dawn will be released in Australia on April 24th.