Alana Haim – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

THE DRAMA – Review by Susan Kamyab

April 1, 2026April 3, 2026 Susan Kamyab Alana Haim, Kristoffer Borgli, Robert Pattinson, The Drama, zendaya

Have you ever dared to ask yourself, what’s the worst thing you have ever done? In the new dark comedy, The Drama, the answer rocks the lives and upcoming nuptials for a happily engaged couple that now questions everything. Writer/director, Kristoffer Borgli brings audiences a twisted romantic tale that’s sure to inspire some tough conversations. A heavy drama with comedic notes about a romantic relationship, this film is bleak, witty, organized chaos that’s cringey, but digestible thanks to the sensational performances by the entire cast and the riveting, unforgettable premise that is sure to stay with audiences all year long.

Movie of the Week

MOVIE OF THE WEEK October 17, 2025: THE MASTERMIND

October 12, 2025October 12, 2025 Jennifer Merin Alana Haim, betsy bozdech, Bill Camp, Cate Marquis, Hope Davis, James Mooney, jennifer merin, josh o'connor, Kelly Reichardt, leslie combemale, liz whittemore, loren king, motw, Movie of the Week, nell minow, sandie angulo chen, sherin nicole, The Mastermind, Worcester Art Museum

Moody and thought-provoking, writer/director Kelly Reichardt’s compelling drama The Mastermind tells the story of a not-quite-heist-ready would-be art thief in Massachusetts in the early 1970s. Featuring a stand-out performance by star Josh O’Connor and impressively authentic production values, this 2025 Cannes Palme D’Or nominee memorably explores ideas related to identity and purpose as its main character struggles to escape the weight of suburban ennui.

Reviews

THE MASTERMIND – Review by Loren King

October 5, 2025October 16, 2025 Loren King Alana Haim, Bill Camp, Cate Marquis, Hope Davis, James Mooney, jennifer merin, josh o'connor, Kelly Reichardt, motw, The Masterpiece, Worcester Art Museum

There’s the heist movie and its glorious sub-genre, the swaggering ‘70s heist movie with such diverse titles including Dog Day Afternoon, The Getaway, and even Barbara Loden’s great Wanda. With her distinct style, writer-directorKelly Reichardt delivers her own spin on that genre. It may be the heist — in this case, a horribly executed museum art theft — that catches our attention but it’s the perfect, shambling atmosphere of 1970 New England including the cars, clothes and languorous characters that keeps us enthralled.

Festivals Reviews

THE MASTERMIND (NYFF 2025) – Review by Margaret Barton-Fumo

September 30, 2025October 3, 2025 Margaret Barton-Fumo Alana Haim, art heist, Bill Camp, Christopher Blauvelt, Hope Davis, josh o'connor, Kelly Reichardt, NYFF 2025, The Mastermind

Screening as part of the Main Slate of the 63rd New York Film Festival, Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind is strong enough to stand as an opening or closing night feature, if only it carried the gravitas of a big-budget, high profile production. But that, of course, would be antithetical to Reichardt’s work, which is characteristically small scale and often unassuming. With that being said, The Mastermind is a significant accomplishment, one deserving of high praise.

Festivals Reviews

THE MASTERMIND (NYFF 2025) – Review by Diane Carson

September 23, 2025September 24, 2025 Diane Carson Alana Haim, art heist, Bill Camp, Christopher Blauvelt, Hope Davis, josh o'connor, Kelly Reichardt, NYFF 2025, The Mastermind

The Mastermind is one of those rare films that increases appreciation on a second viewing. The subtle interplay, the strained relationships communicated through sidelong glances, the hesitant delivery of dialogue, and the slapdash unraveling of exalted ideas: all of this rewards viewer alertness to Reichardt’s genius. Through the inclusion of carefully selected details delivered through superb performances, audiences come to feel a kinship with the worlds Reichardt creates.

Reviews

LICORICE PIZZA – Review by Susan Granger

February 14, 2022February 14, 2022 Susan Granger Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, licorice pizza, paul thomas anderson

It’s the 1970s in the San Fernando Valley when 10th grader Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) first spies Alana Kane (Alana Haim) working for a yearbook headshot photographer. He’s 15 and she’s in her mid-20s. But that doesn’t stop him from asking her for a date. How will he pay for it? she inquires. Not a problem. He’s a smooth-talking former child star, declaring: “I’m a showman. It’s my calling.”

Reviews

LICORICE PIZZA – Review by T. J. Callahan

December 22, 2021December 27, 2021 T. J. Callahan Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, licorice pizza, paul thomas anderson

Licorice Pizza, like all Paul Thomas Anderson films, is an acquired taste, but this film happens to be one of his easiest to digest. Set in 1973, this engaging coming of age dramedy is Dazed and Confused in Hollywood, as one young actor named Gary Valentine navigates his life and love during Fast Times in the San Fernando Valley.