Nick's 2026 Movie Reviews
Below are the movies I’ve seen so far in 2026, along with a few upcoming releases I plan to watch. My rating system is relative to the year itself, there’s no absolute scale here.
I rated the first movie purely on gut feeling, then compared every film after that against it. In this case, Housemaid became the baseline for all 2026 ratings.
Housemaid
I went into Housemaid with pretty low expectations, but curiosity (and very strong word of mouth) got the better of me. The film was selling out at local theaters, disappeared for a bit, and then— presumably due to popular demand—was brought back for another run.
Since the movie is based on a novel, it benefits from a solid narrative foundation and a few genuinely effective twists. The story explores affairs, manipulation, and psychopathy territory I wish I wasn’t quite so familiar with. Still, as the plot escalates, it eventually reaches an extreme that even surpasses my own past experiences, which made it oddly cathartic to watch.
Synopsis
The Housemaid (based on the 2022 novel by Freida McFadden and adapted into a 2025 film) is a psychological thriller centered on Millie Calloway, a desperate ex-convict who accepts a live-in maid position with the wealthy and volatile Nina Winchester.
As Millie settles into the household, she begins to uncover disturbing secrets and patterns of abuse. What initially seems like a second chance at stability quickly turns into a dangerous psychological game, forcing Millie to realize that the real threat may not be the past she’s running from but the house she now lives in.
Mercy
Mercy has a lot going for it right out of the gate: an AI-driven premise, a courtroom thriller setup, and a strong cast led by Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson. While the pacing at the beginning feels a bit slow, the payoff is worth it once the story shifts into high gear.
When the action finally kicks in, the movie becomes tense and immersive. I found myself fully locked in—heart racing, completely pulled out of reality and into the film. It may take some patience early on, but the intensity of the second half delivers.
Synopsis
Set in the near future, Mercy follows a detective accused of murdering his wife. Placed on trial, he has just 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an advanced AI judge—one he helped create—before it delivers a final, irreversible verdict.
Doomsday
Doomsday is one of my most anticipated releases of 2026. While it hasn’t been released yet, the premise alone was enough to put it on my watchlist early.
Based on early information and trailers, the film appears to lean heavily into large-scale stakes, moral ambiguity, and a darker tone—exactly the kind of movie that can either land hard or miss entirely. I’m cautiously optimistic and curious to see how it executes on its ideas.
Synopsis
Doomsday is an upcoming 2026 release centered around a near-apocalyptic scenario in which humanity faces an irreversible global threat. As institutions fail and time runs out, a small group of individuals is forced to confront impossible decisions that may determine the fate of the world.
More details will be added after release, along with a full review and final rating.