James Mottram
James Mottram is a freelance film journalist, author of books that dive deep into films like Die Hard and Tenet, and a regular guest on the Total Film podcast. You'll find his writings on 12DOVE and Total Film, and in newspapers and magazines from across the world like The Times, The Independent, The i, Metro, The National, Marie Claire, and MindFood.
Latest articles by James Mottram
![Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vUAop44indiY4gCbx7sNrS-320-80.jpg)
Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 review – "Once again takes a knife to our childhood memories"
By James Mottram published
review
![Anora](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/azacTMyBJmYytGFcCo32aQ-320-80.jpg)
Anora review: "Another hugely enjoyable ride from Sean Baker"
By James Mottram published
review
![The Shrouds](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oSGo3irPMBUV9ttKUFRjGg-320-80.jpg)
The Shrouds review: "A dry, disappointing effort from David Cronenberg"
By James Mottram published
review
![The Apprentice](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nSgqECpaWN2AupFuP9NoQe-320-80.jpg)
The Apprentice review: "Succession’s Jeremy Strong steals this solid Trump biopic"
By James Mottram published
review
![The Substance (2024)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2deoiNCFo3w8ruiiWnBqse-320-80.jpg)
The Substance review: "Demi Moore delivers arguably a career-best performance in outrageous horror"
By James Mottram published
review
![Horizon An American Saga - Chapter 1 (2024)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3ty8qFTjnyRXMkEwW797Lm-320-80.jpg)
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 review: "An absorbing ride into the Old West from Kevin Costner"
By James Mottram published
review
![Emilia Perez (2024)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v5p8iT6dnf3zHyHWK24VtY-320-80.jpg)
Emilia Pérez review: "A miraculous movie that reframes the musical in fascinating and surprising ways"
By James Mottram published
review
![Bird](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zDj8gqKtSMvombE2soDoam-320-80.jpg)
Bird review: "Barry Keoghan further cements his rising-star status"
By James Mottram published
review
![The Fall Guy](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/doMyFvyDVoeKNo9xWq4KrL-320-80.jpg)
The Fall Guy review: "A snappy, sharp, sexy screwball action romance"
By James Mottram published
review
![Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in Back to Black](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PcJ8b2tiRwosCSDXGd2maB-320-80.jpg)
Back to Black review: "A competent but occasionally clunky Amy Winehouse biopic"
By James Mottram published
review
![The Falcon and the Winter Soldier](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FEaadvc89mnwZ3kKKshjNQ-320-80.jpg)
Marvel star Anthony Mackie is desperate to be in a John Wick movie so he can finally be a "cool dad"
By James Mottram, Fay Watson published
Exclusive Exclusive: Anthony Mackie says he has been rallying Keanu Reeves to let him be in John Wick
![3 Body Problem](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/veMPrq2SPzRC9eFU5Duw6C-320-80.jpg)
Creators of epic new Netflix sci-fi series 3 Body Problem talk cut scenes and following up Game of Thrones
By James Mottram published
exclusive After David Benioff and D.B. Weiss ended Game of Thrones, there was only one way to go: up
![Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ba9UUEujN5Gfi2FHTccYJn-320-80.jpg)
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire review - "Doesn't touch the original movies but likeable enough"
By James Mottram published
review
![road house 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DkcyyWRgen6DYGzaza8qrK-320-80.jpg)
Road House review: "Lacks the grungy vibe of the original but Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor rock"
By James Mottram published
review
![3 Body Problem on Netflix](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UL33pL2RRUNpdoJZwuWW6F-320-80.jpg)
Game of Thrones showrunners were just as baffled by adapting their new Netflix sci-fi series as they were George R.R. Martin's books
By James Mottram published
Exclusive Exclusive: 3 Body Problem showrunners talk the challenge of adapting the sci-fi novel for Netflix
![John Bradley in 3 Body Problem](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XSyML3gFcUyWwoW2pvHUAd-320-80.jpg)
Game of Thrones creators say Cillian Murphy's underrated sci-fi movie Sunshine was inspiration for their new Netflix show
By James Mottram published
Exclusive Exclusive: 3 Body Problem showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss talk chasing that "awe-and-wonder feeling" for their new series
![Jovan Adepo in 3 Body Problem](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cNG3oKKMT4SUz2HSfXuMtF-320-80.jpg)
Game of Thrones creators wanted their new Netflix sci-fi series to "feel different in many, many ways" to the fantasy epic
By James Mottram published
Exclusive Exclusive: 3 Body Problem showrunners David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo tease their bold new project
![Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley in Wicked Little Letters (2023)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FBCUFa3fsYDBgxwQDqxDeT-320-80.jpg)
Wicked Little Letters review: "An ultimately rather cosy tale of British eccentricity"
By James Mottram published
review
![Raiders of the Lost Arc/The Mummy](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GSWYaQSJM28CaRFP53Kx97-320-80.jpg)
The 10 best adventure couples in movies, ranked
By Total Film published
Best List This Valentine's Day, we're celebrating the best adventure couples in movies
![Lisa Frankenstein](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5HzAhnCWsJfbVte9eAuZ73-320-80.jpg)
Lisa Frankenstein review: "A neat mash-up of high-school comedy and horror tropes"
By James Mottram published
review
![American Fiction](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CLVJCwKyuaahkYyLqFHXkN-320-80.jpg)
American Fiction review: "Jeffrey Wright shines in the fiendishly smart comedy-drama"
By James Mottram published
review
![True Detective: Night Country](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5C83jPMJXNMZQZqhoC2ThN-320-80.jpg)
Jodie Foster and True Detective: Night Country creators on the show’s darkest season yet
By James Mottram published
interview Exclusive: Total Film heads on set of True Detective: Night Country for the inside scoop
![Night Swim](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zVECf3TTZKx6VdLcwNHi4C-320-80.jpg)
Night Swim review: "Blumhouse's new horror sinks like a stone"
By James Mottram published
review