Stephen A Russell

Stephen A Russell is a Melbourne-based arts writer. His writing regularly appears in Fairfax publications, SBS online, Flicks, Time Out, The Saturday Paper, The Big Issue and Metro magazine. You can hear him on Joy FM.

Stephen A Russell's Latest Articles

Proclivitas. Image: Supplied.
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Proclivitas review: a promising Australian horror debut

Australian director Miley Tunnecliffe’s spooky debut feature explores the grim guilt of mistakes that drive our lives off the road.

I Swear. Image: Transmission.
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I Swear review: beautiful, if occasionally hard to watch

Forget the BAFTAs brouhaha, the biopic I Swear speaks for itself on the challenges of living with Tourette’s syndrome.

Anemone. Image: Universal.
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Anemone review: Ronan Day-Lewis’ debut directorial feature is a slog

Not even Daniel Day-Lewis’ leading turn can help Anemone rise above its ploddingly verbose dialogue.

The Plague. Image: Independent Film Company.
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The Plague review: a creepy coming of age movie

Charlie Polinger’s debut feature The Plague understands the brutal games of teenage boys all too well.

The Bride! Image: Warner Bros. Pictures.
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The Bride! review: monstrously good fun

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers a ferocious and feral update on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in The Bride!

Saccharine. Image: Carver Films.
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Saccharine review: freaky, fun body horror for the Ozempic era

A hungry ghost story, Saccharine takes a swing at our social media-driven dysphoria crisis.

Amanda Seyfried in The Testament of Ann Lee. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
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The Testament of Ann Lee review: a sublime vision

Mona Fastvold trusts Amanda Seyfried with the role of a lifetime in superb The Testament of Ann Lee.

Sirât. Photo: Quim Vives. MUBI.
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Sirât review: a tempestuous work of brilliant cinematic art

Following a father and son on a desperate journey, Sirât is a visceral study of hope and despair.

Rose. Image: Supplied. Best of Berlinale.
Features

The 10 best Berlinale 2026 films to look out for

From fractious family dramas to queer resistance and pensioners with fire in their belly, here are our top picks of…

Bring Her Back. Image: Supplied.
News

Horror possesses the voters as the AACTA Awards are announced

The Philippou brothers’ Bring Her Back triumphed during the AACTA Awards ceremony held on the Gold Coast

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