Movie Reviews


Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) Movie Review



Daniel Craig returns as detective Benoit Blanc in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025), directed by Rian Johnson. This 2025 movie is a stylish and suspenseful blend of mystery, crime, and sharp humor. With stunning performances and clever writing, it’s a must-watch for fans of smart, character-driven storytelling. Read our Wake Up Dead Man movie review for the full experience.


Predator: Badlands (2025) – Movie Review



Discover our in-depth movie review of “Predator Badlands,” one of 2025’s most intense sci-fi thrillers. The film blends action, atmosphere and character-driven storytelling in a gripping new chapter for the franchise. Explore its world-building, performances and emotional depth in our full review.

2025 Movie Reviews & New Films: Your Early Look at the Year's Best Films

Welcome to the MovieDoors 2025 Film Hub! As the cinematic year unfolds, get ready to discover the most anticipated releases and breakout hits, all in one place. We're your ultimate guide to the movies shaping 2025, bringing you detailed, unbiased movie reviews for every major film premiere and must-watch independent release.

At MovieDoors, we know you want to know what to see (and what to skip) as soon as it hits the screen. Our dedicated team meticulously watches and analyzes each new 2025 film, providing you with insightful takes on everything from star-studded blockbusters to thought-provoking dramas, thrilling sci-fi epics, and family-friendly animated features. We're here to help you navigate the year's cinematic offerings, ensuring you make the most of your movie-going and at-home viewing experiences.

Whether you're planning your next trip to the theater or deciding what to stream, our 2025 movie reviews offer the comprehensive breakdown you need. Dive into our expert opinions on plot, performances, direction, and overall impact. Let MovieDoors open the door to all the exciting films this year has to offer.


Predator: Badlands (2025) – Movie Review



Among the standout films of 2025, “Predator Badlands” pushes the franchise into bold emotional and visual territory. This movie review highlights the film’s immersive world-building, powerful performances and unique blend of action, sci-fi and tense survival drama. As a 2025 movie, it impresses with its cinematic scope and character-centered storytelling. Read the full review and discover why this entry has become one of the year’s defining releases.



Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) Movie Review



Among 2025’s most anticipated releases, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery stands out as both a brilliant character study and a genre evolution. With Rian Johnson’s deft writing and Daniel Craig’s commanding performance, this 2025 film balances suspense, emotion, and social commentary with elegance. Our Wake Up Dead Man movie review examines how this latest installment transforms the whodunit into something modern, meaningful, and masterfully entertaining.



One Battle After Another (2025) Film Review


One Battle After Another (2025) stands out as one of the defining films of the year — a bold, introspective epic that reminds audiences what cinematic storytelling can achieve. Paul Thomas Anderson delivers a masterclass in direction, transforming the war genre into a meditation on guilt, power, and humanity. With stunning performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet, this 2025 movie captures the tension and emotion of an era. Discover in our full review why it’s a must-see for film lovers everywhere.



Nobody 2 (2025) Movie Review


As one of the most anticipated action films of 2025, Nobody 2 delivers everything fans hoped for — and more. With Bob Odenkirk anchoring a story filled with intensity, emotion, and razor-sharp direction from Ilya Naishuller, this 2025 movie elevates the genre with grounded realism and brutal honesty. Our Nobody 2 film review explores how this sequel captures both the chaos of violence and the humanity that drives it.




"I Know What You Did Last Summer" (2025) Film Review


I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) revives the slasher classic with a fresh cast, stylish direction, and a return to small-town terror. Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson brings back the suspense, but the film stops short of fully modernizing the formula. Our spoiler-free movie review explores whether this reboot earns its place among today’s horror hits or simply rides a wave of nostalgia. Click to find out how this 2025 film stacks up in the era of genre reinvention.



The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) Movie Review


As one of the most anticipated releases of 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps redefines superhero storytelling for a new generation. With Matt Shakman’s visionary direction and standout performances from Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, the film balances heart, humor, and awe-inspiring visuals. Our Fantastic Four (2025) movie review explores how this blend of science fiction and emotional depth makes it a defining cinematic moment for Marvel’s next chapter.



The Naked Gun (2025) Movie Review


Among 2025’s most entertaining releases, The Naked Gun stands tall as a riotous return to big-screen comedy. Directed by Akiva Schaffer and led by Liam Neeson in a career-defining comedic turn, the film celebrates classic parody while updating it for a new generation. Packed with slapstick chaos, wordplay, and heart, it’s the kind of fun the cinema has been missing. Read our The Naked Gun (2025) movie review for the full laugh-filled breakdown.



Off the Grid (2025) Movie Review


As one of the year’s most grounded thrillers, Off the Grid (2025) captures the paranoia and pulse of a world obsessed with connectivity. With Josh Duhamel leading a stellar cast, the film examines survival beyond the digital age and the danger of human innovation. Blending action, emotion, and isolation, Johnny Martin’s direction gives this 2025 movie a raw, cinematic edge. Our review explores why it stands out in the year’s slate of intelligent thrillers.



Ice Road: Vengeance (2025) Movie Review


As one of the most anticipated action releases of 2025, Ice Road: Vengeance proves Liam Neeson still dominates the genre he helped define. Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, the film swaps icy highways for Himalayan cliffs in a story that blends survival, suspense, and redemption. Our Ice Road: Vengeance (2025) movie review dives into how this visually stunning, emotionally charged sequel showcases both Neeson’s depth and the enduring appeal of grounded, human action cinema.



"Superman" (2025) Film Review


James Gunn’s Superman (2025) marks a powerful new beginning for DC’s most iconic hero. Our spoiler-free movie review explores how David Corenswet’s Man of Steel brings heart, humor, and high-flying action to a film that’s as timely as it is thrilling. With standout performances, rich worldbuilding, and a hopeful message, this Superman reboot is a must-see for longtime fans and newcomers alike. Read the full review for a closer look at the film’s cinematic strengths.



"The Old Guard 2" (2025) Movie Review


The Old Guard 2 (2025) reunites Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne in a globe-trotting sequel that deepens the mythology of immortal warriors. Directed by Victoria Mahoney and streaming on Netflix, this action-packed film delivers intense fight sequences, emotional arcs, and new threats that challenge the team’s legacy. With standout performances from Uma Thurman and Veronica Ngo, it’s a thoughtful, satisfying continuation. Read our full review to explore why The Old Guard 2 is worth the return trip.



Smurfs (2025) Movie Review


As one of the standout animated releases of 2025, Smurfs reintroduces Peyo’s beloved world with fresh energy and modern flair. Featuring Rihanna as Smurfette and a new cast of Smurfs on a magical adventure, the film combines humor, music, and stunning visuals in equal measure. Our Smurfs (2025) movie review dives into how this film captures the heart of the franchise while reflecting the optimism and imagination of 2025 cinema.



"Heads of State" (2025) Movie Review


Heads of State (2025) is a high-octane action comedy starring John Cena and Idris Elba as rival world leaders forced to team up after a sabotage attempt throws them into a global conspiracy. Directed by Ilya Naishuller, this Prime Video original delivers slick action, sharp banter, and plenty of ridiculous fun. Read our full review to see why Heads of State is one of the most entertaining buddy-action movies of the year.



"Mountainhead" (2025) Movie Review


Mountainhead (2025) is Jesse Armstrong’s wickedly sharp directorial debut—a dark comedy set in a luxury mountain fortress where four tech billionaires confront the AI-driven chaos they helped unleash. Starring Steve Carell, Cory Michael Smith, Ramy Youssef, and Jason Schwartzman, the film is a claustrophobic, hilarious, and chilling portrait of power, ego, and collapse. Read our full review of this HBO original, one of the boldest and most scathing films of the year.



"Jurassic World: Rebirth" (2025) Movie Review


Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025) roars back with a streamlined, thrilling adventure that recaptures the spirit of the original. Directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali, this new installment blends awe, action, and emotional depth. From majestic dinosaurs to stunning set pieces, it’s a summer blockbuster that finally delivers on its prehistoric promise. Read our full review to see why Rebirth is the best Jurassic film in decades.



"M3GAN 2.0" (2025) Movie Review


M3GAN 2.0 (2025) supercharges the killer doll franchise with sci-fi action, campy humor, and a viral-ready performance from Jenna Davis. In this review, we break down how the sequel evolves from horror to high-octane spectacle while retaining its tech-paranoia roots. A thrilling ride for fans of genre mashups and unapologetic fun.





"F1: The Movie" (2025) Movie Review


Brad Pitt’s Sonny Hayes is a former Formula 1 legend who crashed out of the sport three decades ago. Once celebrated, now forgotten, he drifts from race to race, driving whatever he can get his hands on and living out of a van. But when his former teammate Ruben (Javier Bardem), now team owner of the struggling APXGP, calls in a favor, Sonny...




"Materialists" (2025) Movie Review


Visually, the film is restrained but elegant. Cinematographer Shabier Kirchner bathes the city in soft light, contrasting Lucy’s sleek, curated spaces with the messier, lived-in apartments of her past. Daniel Pemberton’s score dances between melancholy and hope, underscoring the emotional fragility of these characters. Everything feels carefully...




"Juliet & Romeo" (2025) Movie Review


The core beats of Shakespeare’s original remain: feuding houses, forbidden love, secret unions, and tragic consequences. But Bogart’s version opens with a political backdrop involving Rome’s attempt to unify the fractured Italian territories, with the Montagues and Capulets each vying for dominance. The historical detail adds flavor, but the emotional...




"Bride Hard" (2025) Movie Review


The premise is absurd in the best way: Sam (Wilson), a superspy living under the radar, is reluctantly attending the destination wedding of her childhood best friend, Betsy (Camp). Their friendship is already fraying—Sam missed the bachelorette party and isn’t even the maid of honor anymore—but things escalate when armed mercenaries crash the...




"How to Train Your Dragon" (2025) Movie Review


The story follows Hiccup, a teenage Viking on the Isle of Berk, where dragons are seen as mortal enemies and raiding the village is a routine threat. Hiccup, the lanky and inventive son of the tribe’s chief Stoick, is a misfit in a culture that prizes brute strength. During a dragon attack, Hiccup wounds a rare Night Fury, but...





"Elio" (2025) Movie Review


To everyone’s shock—but especially Elio’s—the message is received. He’s abducted by a mysterious alien vessel and transported to the Communiverse, a council of extraterrestrial species dedicated to peaceful cooperation. Mistaken for Earth’s ambassador because he made contact, Elio suddenly finds...





"28 Years Later" (2025) Movie Review


The world of 28 Years Later is not the burned-out London of 2002. It's a post-Rage-virus Britain, fully quarantined and cut off from the rest of the globe, where generations have grown up without firsthand memory of the outbreak. Our story centers on Spike (played with quiet brilliance by newcomer Alfie Williams), a 12-year-old boy raised in the isolation of...




"The Ritual" (2025) Movie Review


From its opening scenes, The Ritual wears its influences on its sleeve. A crumbling convent. An ailing young woman. A priest who’s lost his faith, paired with one who’s clinging to it with his last breath. It’s the blueprint of countless exorcism films—and yet, thanks to a firm commitment to historical accuracy and grounded character work, The Ritual feels more...




"Deep Cover" (2025) Movie Review


When Kat (Howard), desperate for money and relevance, is offered a quick payday by Billings to take part in a minor sting, she says yes. With her best students unavailable, she turns to Marlon—who thinks he’s Daniel Day-Lewis reincarnated—and Hugh—who thinks improv means quoting the rule “Yes, and…” out loud. What starts as a low-stakes sting at a...




"Straw" (2025) Movie Review


From its first moments, Straw sets the stage for a day that begins with hardship and ends in near tragedy. Janiyah (Henson), exhausted and quietly determined, wakes to a broken-down apartment, overdue rent, and a sick daughter with mounting medical needs. As the day unfolds, a series of crushing setbacks—a heartless landlord, a degrading job, a...




"Predator: Killer of Killers" (2025) Movie Review


At first glance, Predator: Killer of Killers may seem like a nostalgic throwback or a stylized experiment, but make no mistake—this film fully understands what makes the franchise tick. From the moment it begins with a stormy Viking raid, it becomes clear that Trachtenberg and Wassung aren’t here to simply...





"Echo Valley" (2025) Movie Review


When we first meet Kate Garretson (Moore), her world is already shrouded in sorrow. Nine months have passed since the death of her wife Patty, and she’s been left to maintain their horse ranch alone in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Pearce sets the tone early with a moody, muted palette and slow, contemplative...





"Ballerina" (2025) Movie Review


The plot is straightforward but effective: Eve Macarro, orphaned as a child when her father is murdered by members of a mysterious death cult, is raised and trained by the Ruska Roma—the same brutal organization that once molded John Wick. Now a deadly assassin in pointe shoes, Eve uncovers evidence linking her latest target to the same killers who shattered her...




"Tornado" (2025) Movie Review


Tornado opens in media res, with our heroine already running. Drenched in cold light and battered by Jed Kurzel’s brooding, percussion-heavy score, the film immediately sets a tone of dread and grit. Tornado (Kōki) dashes across the blustery Scottish moors with a young pickpocket in tow, pursued by Sugarman (Tim Roth) and his band of...




"The Amateur" (2025) Movie Review


Rami Malek’s performance as Charlie Heller is, without a doubt, the linchpin of "The Amateur." He masterfully embodies the "introverted and quiet" nature of a CIA decoder, yet conveys a simmering intensity beneath the surface. Charlie is no hardened field agent; he's a "gun-shy" computer nerd, and Malek sells this fish-out-of-water scenario with a remarkable degree of...




"Mickey 17" (2025) Movie Review


The heart of Mickey 17 lies in the concept of the Expendable: workers who are sent on suicide missions and resurrected via cloning and memory restoration. This literalization of labor exploitation becomes both the film’s central sci-fi conceit and a brutal metaphor for modern working-class disposability. Pattinson plays Mickey 17 — and later...




"Lilo & Stitch" (2025) Movie Review


The emotional core of "Lilo & Stitch" is undoubtedly its central trio. Maia Kealoha's performance as Lilo is genuinely charming. She embodies the childlike exasperation and the deep-seated need for friendship that defines the character, acting very much like a real six-year-old. Sydney Agudong delivers a grounded and strong performance as Nani, vividly...




"Fountain of Youth" (2025) Movie Review


The film kicks off with the kind of high-octane energy synonymous with Guy Ritchie, throwing viewers into a frantic car and bike chase through Bangkok, swiftly followed by a train sequence and a London heist. This relentless pacing is both a strength and, at times, a detriment. It ensures that the "action" rarely lets up, with "fisticuffs or gunplay" unleashed...




"The Phoenician Scheme" (2025) Movie Review


From the moment the film begins, it’s unmistakably a Wes Anderson movie. His signature trademarks are not merely present; they are the very essence of the experience. The precise perpendicular framing, the obsessive symmetry, and the almost fetishistic meticulous attention to detail in every prop and set piece create the sensation of stepping into a...




"Hot Milk" (2025) Movie Review


"Hot Milk" unfolds as a somber narrative, set against a desolate European coastal landscape where the relentless sea mirrors the characters' internal struggles. The environment itself becomes a character, communicating through muted tones, barren shores, and overcast skies that silently observe a life defined by care and limitation. Lenkiewicz's adaptation explores...




"Havoc" (2025) Movie Review


From its opening moments, "Havoc" sets a grim tone, pulling no punches as it throws audiences into a chaotic world where a stolen cocaine shipment hidden in washing machines sparks a deadly chain reaction. This initial drug deal gone wrong quickly escalates, drawing Walker into a labyrinthine conspiracy involving a local Triad leader, Tsui, whose murder sets the stage for a...




"Bring Her Back" (2025) Movie Review


"Bring Her Back" boldly steps into the crowded subgenre of grief-based horror, but it does so with an unflinching ferocity that sets it apart. While many contemporary horror films use grief as a mere metaphorical backdrop, the Philippou brothers make it the raw, bleeding heart of their narrative, channeling the existential nihilism reminiscent of...




"Karate Kid: Legends" (2025) Movie Review


"Karate Kid: Legends" marks a pivotal moment for a franchise that has consistently charmed audiences for decades, albeit with varying degrees of success in its many iterations. While the original "Karate Kid" movies from the 80s, especially John G. Avildsen's early entries, are etched into pop culture history, later sequels and reboots often struggled to recapture that initial magic, sometimes...




Snow White (2025) Movie Review


This 2025 adaptation follows the familiar yet modernized journey of Snow White, a princess confined to her palace and forced into servitude by her vain and tyrannical stepmother, the Evil Queen. When the Magic Mirror declares Snow White "the fairest one of all," the Queen orders her death, forcing Snow White to flee into the forest where she encounters seven "magical beings" working in...




"Highest 2 Lowest" (2025) Movie Review


Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest is a vibrant, searing, and often exhilarating reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller High and Low. Set deep within the pulsating heart of the modern music industry in New York City, Lee masterfully transmutes the original's post-war anxieties into a sharp critique of America’s pervasive capitalist grindset and...




Thunderbolts (2025) Movie Review


This latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ventures into darker territory, centering on a group of antiheroes assembled under dubious circumstances by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Forced to confront a threat tied to one of their own, the team must navigate their individual traumas and learn to rely on each other in a story that...




"Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" (2025) Movie Review


The Mission: Impossible franchise has consistently defied expectations, evolving from its television roots into a cinematic behemoth defined by escalating ambition, practical stunts, and Tom Cruise's unwavering commitment. What began as a spy thriller with intricate plots has, under Christopher McQuarrie's masterful guidance, blossomed into a...




A Working Man (2025) Movie Review


"A Working Man" leans heavily into the vigilante trash genre, reminiscent of 80s action flicks like The Exterminator or Death Wish 3. The plot, while straightforward, is a familiar cocktail of kidnapping, the Russian mafia, and a retired soldier returning to the battlefield. Levon, initially reluctant to re-engage with his violent past, is convinced by his...




"Hurry Up Tomorrow" (2025) Movie Review


Hurry Up Tomorrow is a film deeply entrenched in the artistic world of its star, Abel Tesfaye, offering a raw, at times uncomfortable, glimpse into the anxieties and pressures that come with global superstardom. It’s a psychological thriller that aims to be as ambiguous and layered as the music it accompanies, inviting viewers into a disorienting journey...




The Accountant 2 (2025) Movie Review


The Accountant 2 picks up the complex threads woven in its predecessor, aiming to deepen the lore of Christian Wolff, a character as fascinating as he is deadly. The first film carved out a niche by presenting an unconventional action hero – an autistic savant whose genius for numbers was matched only by his proficiency in combat. This sequel...




A Minecraft Movie (2025) Movie Review


The plot, while aiming to provide a narrative for a game celebrated for its open-ended nature, begins with doorknob salesman Steve discovering the Orb of Dominance and the Earth Crystal in a mine, which together create a portal to the cubist Overworld. After building his own paradise, Steve stumbles upon a portal to the hellish Nether, ruled by the creativity-hating piglin...




Sinners (2025) Movie Review


Released by Warner Bros. Pictures on April 18, 2025, Ryan Coogler's Sinners is a bold and ambitious genre blend set in 1932 Clarksdale, Mississippi. Written and directed by Coogler, the film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers Smoke and Stack Moore, alongside a talented cast including Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and...




"Nonnas" (2025) Movie Review


Vince Vaughn, in a departure from some of his more comedic roles, delivers a genuinely "gentle" and empathetic performance as Joe Scaravella. He portrays a man grappling with loss and uncertainty, taking a huge gamble to honor his family's legacy. Vaughn's performance anchors the film, allowing the audience to invest in Joe's journey and root for his...




Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025) Movie Review


Final Destination: Bloodlines arrives with the daunting task of revitalizing a series whose formula is as predictable as Death's list itself. After five films and a significant hiatus, the core concept – a premonition saves a group from a mass casualty event, only for Death to hunt them down in gruesome fashion – remains unchanged. Yet, Bloodlines attempts a...




"Warfare" (2025) Movie Review


"Warfare" opens by embedding the audience with a U.S. Navy SEAL platoon during a dangerous surveillance mission in Ramadi, Iraq, in November 2006, in the wake of the Battle of Ramadi. Their objective: to establish an overwatch position in an Iraqi family's home, monitoring the movement of American forces through insurgent territory. The film quickly establishes a suffocating sense of...




"Eddington" (2025) Movie Review


"Eddington" arrives as a stark, unflinching look at a nation fractured by unprecedented events, positioning itself as a cinematic reflection of a society grappling with its own unraveling. Ari Aster, known for his unique brand of unsettling horror and psychological drama, takes his distinctive neuroses and applies them to the collective anxieties of the early pandemic era. This isn't a...




"Dangerous Animals" (2025) Movie Review


"Dangerous Animals" wastes no time in establishing its unsettling premise, whisking Zephyr from the seemingly idyllic Gold Coast to the claustrophobic confines of Tucker’s rusty boat, a "sun-soaked dream – okay, nightmare." The film quickly introduces us to Tucker (Jai Courtney), a "brawny bogan" and shark dive owner whose enthusiasm for marine life...




"Fear Street: Prom Queen" (2025) Movie Review


Stepping back into the cursed town of Shadyside, Fear Street: Prom Queen channels the gritty, neon-soaked energy of late-'80s horror while continuing the franchise’s commitment to gruesome deaths, high school cruelty, and cursed bloodlines. Though it’s more of a spiritual successor than a direct sequel to Leigh Janiak’s Fear Street trilogy from 2021, this new...




"Black Bag" (2025) Movie Review


Black Bag (2025) is a sleek, cerebral spy thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender as married British agents caught in a web of secrets, surveillance, and suspicion. In our full movie review, we explore how this elegantly crafted film blends psychological tension with stylish espionage, driven by sharp dialogue and magnetic performances. A must-see for fans of intelligent, character-driven thrillers.



"Sorry, Baby" (2025) Movie Review


Sorry Baby (2025) is a bold, emotionally resonant debut from Eva Victor, who writes, directs, and stars in this sharp and darkly funny indie drama. Centered on the aftermath of trauma rather than the event itself, the film explores female friendship, healing, and identity with rare honesty. With standout performances from Naomi Ackie and Lucas Hedges, this A24 release is one of 2025’s most quietly powerful films.



Other reviews of films released in 2025


"The Ballad of Wallis Island" (2025) Movie Review: A Soulful, Sharp, and Sincerely Funny Ode to Second Chances

The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025) is a touching and humorous British indie film about music, regret, and unexpected healing. Starring Carey Mulligan and Tom Basden, it tells a soulful story of reunion and rediscovery set on a remote island. A beautiful blend of wit and heart.

"The Ugly Stepsister" (2025) Movie Review: A Gruesome, Gorgeous Reimagining of the Cinderella Myth

The Ugly Stepsister (2025) is a daring, disturbing feminist horror film that retells Cinderella through a grotesque and emotional lens. With unforgettable visuals and a fearless lead performance, this Shudder release redefines the fairytale with sharp satire and visceral impact. Read our review of one of the most haunting and original horror films of 2025.

"Die My Love" (2025) Movie Review: A Feverish Return to the Edge of Madness

Die My Love (2025) is a searing psychological drama from Lynne Ramsay, starring Jennifer Lawrence in a career-defining role. Set in rural Montana, the film follows a woman’s descent into madness after childbirth. With haunting visuals, sharp writing, and fearless performances, it’s a bold, uncompromising portrait of identity, rage, and isolation. Read our full review to discover why this emotionally raw 2025 film is one of the year’s most powerful cinematic experiences.

"One of Them Days" (2025) Film Review: A Wild Day in Baldwin Village

The premise of One of Them Days is as familiar as it is compelling: what do you do when you’re broke, rent is due, and your unreliable boyfriend has made off with your last $1,500? That’s the crisis facing Dreux, a waitress at Norm’s Diner with a dream of becoming a franchise manager, and her best friend Alyssa, an aspiring painter with a romantic soft spot for the...