WKNDwatchlist – Best Picture Countdown II
The countdown is on! With the Oscars less than a week away on 16th March, we’re reviewing a handful of Oscar Best Picture favourites.
This week, Spling dives into three of the most surreal contenders: the paranoid nutty brilliance of Bugonia, the swirling gothic majesty of Frankenstein and the haunting poetry of Train Dreams.
So, which one has your vote? Drop a comment below and let us know if you think one of these Best Picture nominees is taking home the gold?
Stay tuned for next week’s episode of the WKNDWatchlist for more great picks!
What are YOU watching this weekend? Welcome to the WKNDwatchlist! I’m Spling. The Oscars are coming up on March 16th, so it’s time to play catch-up with three of the year’s most surreal titles.
Bugonia
Director Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone reunite for Bugonia, a razor-sharp dark comedy thriller. When two conspiracists kidnap a CEO they believe is an alien, a claustrophobic game of human chess ensues. Jesse Plemons is terrifyingly authentic, while Stone’s resilience keeps the mystery alive. It’s a mesmerising, high-stakes dive into modern paranoia and corporate greed.
Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a grand, operatic dark fairy tale. Oscar Isaac is brilliant, but Jacob Elordi’s soulful, self-healing Monster is the true standout. It’s a visual masterpiece—blending Highlander with Heidi to create something entirely fresh. Though the runtime feels a bit stuffy, its haunting beauty and immersive world-building make this a timeless, must-see reimagining.
Train Dreams
Set against the lush, rugged Pacific Northwest, Train Dreams is a hauntingly poetic meditation on the cost of progress. Joel Edgerton is magnetic as a stoic logger wrestling with his soul, supported by a transformative William H. Macy. It’s a slow-moving, ethereal blend of dreams and reality – a wistful, Into the Wild spirit that trusts its audience and lingers long after the credits roll.
Which one has your vote? Drop a comment below and let me know! For more reviews, head to splingmovies.com. And remember: Don’t WING it, SPL!NG it!
Recorded at Peak Valley Studio. SPL!NG hoodies, mugs and The Essence of Dreams book available for sale.
