Awards Buzz Weekly: The Amateur, Drop and Hacks Season 4 Reviews & More

Welcome to Awards Buzz Weekly, a new column covering the latest movies, TV shows, and other industry news. This week, there’s a lot to cover, including two new theatrical releases hitting a cinema near you. I’ll also share my review of the fourth season of Hacks, offer some personal commentary on the big news from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences regarding their new Stunt Design category, and reveal my pick for the FYC Event of the Week.

The Amateur Review: Rami Malek elevates this entertaining but generic and formulaic spy thriller

Plot Synopsis: Rami Malek stars as Heller, a CIA decoder determined to take matters into his own hands after his supervisors refuse to take action after his wife is killed in a terrorist attack.

Review: If you’ve seen the trailer for The Amateur, it delivers exactly what you’d expect. The film, based on a novel by Robert Littell, looks and feels like an espionage thriller straight out of the mid-90s. Rami Malek’s portrayal of Heller feels like a blend of Jason Bourne and Christian Wolff from The Accountant films. Malek makes the character his own while paying homage to many of the iconic spy figures that have graced the genre, both on-screen and off.

Beyond the film’s nostalgic feel, Malek is easily the core reason it works as well as it does. He’s fully committed to the performance and has great chemistry with Laurence Fishburne, who plays Henderson. Unfortunately, the two share limited screen time, but I hope the film performs well enough at the box office to warrant a sequel—one where they’re together for the entire movie.

In terms of direction, James Hawes does what’s necessary. The approach feels very paint-by-numbers, with a few standout sequences sprinkled in for good measure. The most memorable is the scene where Heller blows up the pool that connects two buildings. However, as a spy thriller, The Amateur doesn’t bring much new to the table and tends to play things a bit too safe.

While it’s not a bad way to spend two hours, it’s also not something that will stick with you or stand the test of time. If you’re a fan of 90s spy movies or revenge thrillers, The Amateur is definitely worth a matinee viewing.

Grade: 6/10

Award Buzz: I don’t foresee any awards in The Amateur‘s future.

Drop Review: Christopher Landon’s Hitchcockian Technological Thriller

Plot Synopsis: Violet (Meghann Fahy) is going on her first date years after losing her husband. As Violet arrives at the restaurant to meet Henry (Brandon Sklenar) everything is going as planned until she receives a series of anonymous air drops that she must keep secret in order to save her son from being murdered.

Review: As a fan of Christopher Landon’s previous outings—notably Happy Death Day, Freaky, and Heart Eyes—what I appreciate most about his work is how clearly you can see his fingerprints on every project he’s involved in, regardless of whether he serves as writer, director, or producer.

In an interview I did with Landon at SXSW, he mentioned that he became involved with Drop very early on in the writing process. While Landon didn’t write the film—it was penned by Jillian Jacobs and Christopher Roach—he said he was involved from the first draft and provided notes and feedback throughout.

Drop plays like a Hitchcockian-style thriller. While the plot is relatively simple, it works because the writers knew exactly the kind of movie they wanted it to be. I found myself thoroughly engaged from start to finish, even when, especially in the third act, it completely defies logic. That being said, the film still works—as long as the viewer buys into the story and is rooting for Violet.

This brings me to Meghann Fahy, who does most of the heavy lifting here. She has to convince Henry that the date is going well, despite the pure chaos happening all around her. Fahy and Sklenar have great chemistry, which in many ways is the glue that holds the film together. If these two actors weren’t believable as love interests, the film wouldn’t work nearly as well as it does. Fahy, in particular, has to keep playing it cool while clearly being terrified. It’s a real tightrope act, but she absolutely pulls it off.

As for the big twist, I thought it was handled pretty well. Looking back now, I probably should’ve seen it coming, but I just went along for the ride, so it genuinely surprised me when it was revealed. I also enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the film—nothing felt drawn out. It kept moving, and with a runtime of under 90 minutes, Drop really feels like a thrill ride, which I believe is exactly what Landon and company were aiming for.

While Drop isn’t necessarily a game-changer in the realm of Hitchcock-inspired thrillers, it delivers exactly what was promised. It’s a film that plays incredibly well with an audience, and if it’s on your radar, I’d strongly recommend seeing it with a crowd—that’s where the experience really shines. I saw the film prior to SXSW, but several friends and colleagues caught it at the festival and told me how the audience absolutely ate it up. Drop benefits from being unlike a lot of what’s currently in the marketplace, and I hope it finds the audience it deserves this weekend.

Grade: 7/10

Awards Buzz: Outside of awards shows like the MTV Movie Awards and the Saturn Awards, I don’t see a world where Drop is involved in the awards conversation.

Check out my SXSW interview with Christopher Landon, Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar below:

Hacks Season 4 Review: Has Deborah Vance Met Her Match?

Plot Synopsis: Ava and Deborah finds themselves at odds with everything as they begin to plan for the launch of Deborah Vance’s late night talk show.

Review: Hacks has consistently been one of the best written and cast shows on television. The casting of Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder has proven, time and time again, to be the definition of lightning in a bottle. These two actresses are committed to these characters, complete with the back-and-forth banter and bickering that—somehow, even in the fourth season—remains just as smart and sharp as ever.

The fourth season of Hacks, however, carries a much different tone than the previous three. This season is darker and heavier. The relationship dynamic between Deborah and Ava is also quite different from what we’ve become accustomed to. Personally, I love that both Deborah and Ava are struggling in their own ways—because actions should have consequences. I do think this change may be a bit jarring for some viewers, especially those expecting their dynamic to return to normal. But because Hacks is grounded in reality, it makes sense: these characters crossed a line, and their relationship has shifted as a result.

Like previous seasons, this one balances comedy with commentary about the entertainment world—touching on ageism and the unfair pressures women face compared to their male counterparts. The season centers on Deborah becoming the first-ever female late-night talk show host, and all the pressures that come with that—from hiring writers to dealing with executives trying to control the project. These obstacles are amplified by the tension that has built between Ava and Deborah over the past three seasons.

While Hacks largely relies on Ava and Deborah, it’s hard to deny that Jimmy and Kayla have become the show’s scene-stealers. In some ways, they mirror Ava and Deborah—their personalities are wildly different, yet their dynamic just works. The cameos this season are also worth mentioning, though I won’t spoil who shows up—that’s part of the fun. Season three featured some great guest roles, but I think season four manages to top them. That said, I have to give a special shoutout to Michaela Watkins as Stacey—my favorite of the new characters this season. I love that she’s been tasked with managing Ava and Deborah and their unorthodox ways, both on set and in the writers’ room.

While I’m not sure if this has been officially released yet, Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky have said the plan is for five seasons. Though it hasn’t been officially confirmed, I highly doubt the team won’t get that fifth and final season. The show has a dedicated and loyal fan base on Max. And while it may not inspire the same watercooler conversations as The White Lotus or House of the Dragon, it’s a series that both celebrates and critiques the entertainment industry with sharp wit and heart.

Hacks continues to be one of the smartest and funniest shows on television, and I personally can’t wait to see what unfolds in season five.

Grade: 9/10

Awards Buzz: Hacks has always been an awards season darling. The show has won numerous Emmys, amongst many other awards. While new shows like The Studio and Nobody Wants This could serve has potential threats heading into this upcoming award season, I believe that Hacks will continue to pick up numerous nominations and wins. Jean Smart has proven to be unstoppable and it would be nice for Hannah Einbinder to finally win an Emmy, which she so very much deserves at this point. Also, let’s not forget about various nominations for guest star, writing and directing. These categories all seem like locks for nominations.

Oscar News: The Academy Adds Best Stunt Design to the 100th Oscar Ceremony

For years, the Stunt Community has been advocating for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to add a stunt category to the Oscars. After several major pushes led by 87North Productions – the team behind John Wick and The Fall Guy – the big day has finally arrived. While several other organizations including The Television Academy have been celebrating the stunt community for years now, this new addition to the Oscar lineup is something that many of us in the industry would wholeheartedly agree has been overlooked for decades by The Academy.

While many wished that the first stunt design could be implemented this year timed to the release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. While I personally feel that Tom Cruise deserves the recognition, I do believe the first-ever Oscar should be presented to someone that isn’t viewed as the “poster child” for the award. Stunt design is a true craft and while Cruise’s dedication to doing his own stunts has shined a massive spotlight on the importance of stunt work, I personally am happy to wait for the Academy to put together a branch of stunt professionals, who will be able shine a wider light on a variety of stunt work on display in cinema. I do think, however, that having Cruise present the first award in 2027 would be a great kick-off to the category as he clearly respects the craft and can educate a wider audience during the show.

The full press release for from the Academy can be read below:

The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today the creation of an annual competitive Academy Award® for Achievement in Stunt Design, beginning with the 100th Academy Awards® for films released in 2027.

“Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. “We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion.”

Category rules for eligibility and voting for the inaugural award will be announced in 2027 with the complete 100th Academy Awards Rules. The specifics of the award’s presentation will be determined by the Academy’s Board of Governors and executive leadership at a future date.

More than 100 stunt professionals are members of the Academy’s Production and Technology Branch.

The last new award category created was Achievement in Casting, established in 2024 and beginning with the 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025.

FYC Event of The Week: Yellowjackets

As a member of the Television Academy, each week I get to submit my name into a series of lotteries to attend various Emmy FYC events. This week, I had the opportunity to attend the Showtime and Paramount+ Emmy FYC event for Yellowjackets at the Saban Media Center. The event included an early screening of the Yellowjackets Season 3 finale, as well as two panel discussions with the cast and crew, moderated by Emily Longeretta of Variety.

The event itself was incredibly organized and well attended. I’ve been to many FYC events over the years, but this one felt different. Often, I find that attendees aren’t necessarily familiar with the show—they’re just there for the free food. But it was refreshing to be at an event where you could tell a good portion of the audience were genuine fans of the series. There was a lot of excited chatter before the screening about what might be revealed in the season finale. The atmosphere felt special, especially due to a strict no-filming policy that was enforced to prevent any spoilers from leaking online.

Additionally, the audience was very respectful of the talent and their time. I was pleasantly surprised by how courteous everyone was—no one overstayed their welcome when talking with the talent or asking them for selfies. I was lucky enough to briefly chat with Christina Ricci and Sophie Thatcher during the event, which was quite lovely.

A big kudos to Paramount+ for getting so many actresses from the show to come out and support the event. I was a bit surprised that they split the post-screening discussion into two panels, but I loved how it was handled and it totally made sense why they did it. The moderator ensured that every single actress and creative on stage had a chance to speak and share insight into the show from their unique perspective. Among those in attendance were Hilary Swank, Melanie Lynskey, Courtney Eaton, Sophie Nélisse, Warren Kole, Tawny Cypress, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Liv Hewson, Sarah Desjardins, Samantha Hanratty, Sophie Thatcher, and Christina Ricci.

While there was no official word on whether Yellowjackets will receive a fourth season, the creators dropped plenty of hints that they’ve been planning for it and know exactly where the story will go—if Showtime and Paramount+ give it the green light.