40 ACRES  (R.T. Thorne) - World Premiere - Toronto Intl Film Festival 

VARIETY - Stephen Saito (RT Critic)

"Danielle Deadwyler Leads With Strength in Subversive Siege Thriller"

"As a survivor of multiple civil wars, including one brewing in her own home, the 'Till' star shows all her muscles in R.T. Thorne’s socially conscious action movie."

THE WRAP - Chase Hutchinson (RT Critic)

"There is a good chance that if Danielle Deadwyler was actually faced with an apocalypse, she’d be able to navigate the chaos of it all with the same poise that she does in 40 Acres.”

"Deadwyler is undeniable once more. She fights for every inch of the film’s emotional ground and comes away with it all in her hands."

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER - Etan Vlessing

"Toronto Hidden Gem...Survival Thriller ‘40 Acres’ Explores Post-Apocalyptic Dystopia From a Black Perspective

Director R.T. Thorne’s timely drama stars Danielle Deadwyler as a fiercely protective mother fighting to keep her family safe in a famine-decimated world "

 VISABLE BLACKWOMAN - Jeanine T. Abraham (RT Critic) 

"40 Acres is a clever, action-packed thriller worth every minute on screen. This fantastic film blends action, adventure, comedy, and suspense in a post-apocalyptic setting and centers a blended Black and Native family."

THE CURVY CRITIC - Carla Renata (RT Critic) 

"Deadwyler is magnificent and Greyeyes finally gets to sink his teeth into a role highlighting his strengths as a charismatic badass and deadpan comic player...The message is resoundingly clear and distinct with action sequences within the first 15 minutes that will keep audiences riveted and intrigued to how it all plays out."

BLACK GIRL NERDS - Cassondra Feltus (RT Critic)

"R.T. Thorne Makes His Feature Debut with Captivating Post-Apocalyptic Thriller ‘40 Acres’...With elements of dystopian horror and coming-of-age drama, the film blends and balances chilling and touching moments to create a seamlessly captivating viewing experience."

"Already celebrated as a visionary, R.T. Thorne’s feature directorial debut cements him as an incredible talent to watch."

THE PEACH REVIEW - Jon Jones

"Writer-director R.T. Thorne brings us 40 Acres, an incredible story of how a family of five protects their farm from intruders in a dystopian future with historical implications."

"The film is a beautiful blend of dystopian possibilities and historical significance—Black and Indigenous people defending their land from invaders. Fans wanted more Cuffie (Deadwyler’s character from The Harder They Fall) and they got it. "

"The cast (predominately Black and Indigenous), plot, and soundtrack are like a dream come true."

"This is the “sleeper” film of TIFF 2024 without a doubt...40 Acres gets a 9.5 out of 10."

DETAINED (Felippe Mucci) - In theaters and VOD on Friday, August 2, 2024 

Distributed by Quiver Distribution 

ROGER EBERT.COM - Brian Tallerico (RT Critic)

"There’s something charming about its single-setting stupidity, dropping a bunch of idiots in an impossible situation and bouncing them off each other until most of them are dead." 

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS - Randy Myers (RT Critic) 

"This is a finely tuned ride ideal for toss-the-brain-aside weekend consumption." 

SCREEN ZEALOTS - Louisa Moore (RT Critic) 

"A taut, intense, small-scale crime thriller that is surprisingly well done." 

 MORBIDLY BEAUTIFUL- Stephanie Malone (RT Critic) 

" A gripping psychological thriller that plunges viewers into mystery and suspense from its first frame."

 RESTLESS (Jed Hart) - World Premiere - Tribeca Festival 

THE AISLE SEAT - Mike McGranahan (RT Critic)

“It’s the kind of thriller that feels 100% plausible, which makes it creepy on a whole other level.”

THE HOLLYWOOD NEWS - Kat Hughes (RT Critic) 

“Triggering, traumatic, and chest-tighteningly tense, Restless grabs the audience by the jugular and forces them to experience one of real-life’s worst nightmares.”

“What makes Restless work so well is that Hart expertly creates tension at any given opportunity.”

“The vibrancy of the tension is so much that chests will tighten and palms will start sweating.” 

“The other element working in Restless’ favour is that many of the audience will be able to identify with Nicky’s situation.”

“Lyndsey Marshall is exceptional as Nicky.”

“Every aspect of Nicky’s psyche has been carefully crafted and she makes for a fascinating lead character made authentic by Marshall’s astute performance.”

“Wickedly traumatic and tense, Restless is an apt name for the film as it will leave the audience feeling exactly that.”

MAVEN’S NEST - Nora Lee Mandel (RT Critic)

“Enormously entertaining! Sleep deprivation from a new noisy, scary neighbor strains a middle-aged caregiver, tipping her over the edge. For herself (and audience wondering how low she'll go), she cleverly, yet believably, ratchets up efforts to stop him.”

MOVIEJAWN - Gary Kramer (RT Critic)

“Jed Hart’s nifty directorial debut”

“Restless really should be retitled Relentless because this darkly comic thriller never lets up.”

“Restless features a highly satisfying confrontation sequence that validates all the anxiety leading up to it.“

“The film also benefits from outstanding sound design and a terrific performance by Marshal, who makes Nicky’s frustrations palpable right up to the last minute.

SCREEN ANARCHY - Olga Artemyeva (RT Critic)

“A thriller with some dark comedy bits, Hart’s debut will surely turn out relatable to lots of people”

“An effective feature debut. It’s a simple yet relatable story.”

“The leading lady never disappoints, though. Lyndsey Marshal gives a powerful performance, projecting both vulnerability and inner strength, rationality and the capacity for rampage.” 

“Jed Hart’s screenplay is another delight as it is compact, concise and manages to throw in a few minor details seemingly for comedic relief that later pay off, putting a nice, satisfactory bow on the whole story.”

SUNSHINE STATE CINEPLEX - Alan French (RT Critic)

“Director Jed Hart takes the frustrations that everyone’s had with their neighbors at one time and blows them out to show the worst-case scenario. It’s a funny and somewhat dark comedy.”

“With an ever-building sense of tension, Restless delivers on its thriller premise.”

THE MOVIE WAFFLER - Eric Hillis 

“Don't sleep on this one.”

“Restless is a strikingly assured directorial debut.”

“Displaying remarkable confidence in his craft, Hart takes what in most hands would be a standard piece of gritty British social realism and elevates the story with a bag of cinematic tricks that never clashes with the everyday drama.” 

“That Hart manages to meld elements of social realism, black comedy and psychological thriller into such a satisfying concoction is a remarkable feat for such a first-timer.”

“His script is cleverly constructed and filled with so many satisfying pay-offs that it could be taught in screenwriting classes as an example of low budget storytelling.”

“Restless feels expansive and larger than life while also being all too relatable for any viewers who have found themselves struggling to get a decent night's kip.”

HORROR FUEL - Joseph Perry

“A welcome, solid entry in the neighbors-from-Hell genre-film category, this one being a thriller with darkly comic elements.”

“The tension and stress brought on by that character’s constant partying and threatening demeanor will ring true for international viewers.”

“Restless is driven by a superb performance from Marshal, who captures the frustrations of her character and the lengths that they drive her to splendidly.” 

The film’s cold open gives viewers an idea of what Nicky might be capable of, but Hart plays off of our expectations wonderfully with some wholly unexpected twists on that and other situations. “McAuley is terrific in his role, as well, encapsulating well the selfish, boorish type of neighbor that many viewers will have had unfortunate experience with.” 

“Hart ratchets up the suspense masterfully”” 

“A fascinating and sometimes funny cinematic ride.”

BLOODY DISGUSTING - Megan Navarro 

“A genre-bender that all but promises to surprise”

JOSH AT THE MOVIES - Allison Brown 

“Writer/director Jed Hart’s impresses in his debut feature” 

“Classical music aficionados will assuredly find easter eggs in the symphonic score.”

“Heart-pumping, comedic thriller!”

 DARKEST MIRIAM (Naomi Jaye) - World Premiere - Tribeca Festival 

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER - Caryn James (RT Critic)

“Britt Lower in a Marvel of a Drama About a Young Librarian’s Loves and Fears”

“An elegant, imaginative gem.”

VOGUE - Lisa Wong Macabasco 

“Dark, quirky charmer”

“Writer-director Naomi Jaye has crafted a handsome and strange contemplation of grief”

INDIEWIRE - David Ehrlich (RT Critic)

“Lower takes the lead with a revealing lead performance” 

AWFJ - Sherin Nicole (RT Critic)

“...a concoction that pours its heart out and flows like the tides of life. This is the story of a woman who finds her art (how a librarian becomes a poet) and the books, dad, and reports that knew it all along.”

SCREEN ANARCHY - Olga Artemyeva (RT Critic)

“Britt Lower ... does a stunning job. ... Tom Mercier ... is mesmerizing too. ... The film gives us a gentle love story, but it also features a very distinctive artistic voice and style.”

MAVEN’S NEST - Nora Lee Mandel (RT Critic)

“Touching film is as quirky and compelling as the menagerie of urban characters we meet at a public library branch. Haunted librarian builds gentle relationship with artist/cabbie (magnetic Tom Mercier). Sensitive adaptation of Baillie’s epistolary novel.”

LOUD & CLEAR REVIEWS - Hayley Croke

“In her abstract, yet moving new film Darkest Miriam, Naomi Jaye employs a historic Italian opera to tell a modern story about loss, grief and courage.”

“Darkest Miriam is a story of fatherly love, all-consuming grief and finding the courage to put yourself out there in the face of fear.”

“Layered with fantastical performances by Britt Lower and Tom Mercier as the film’s central couple as well as an eccentric editing style, Naomi Jaye’s film is unlike anything you have ever seen before…It’s the story about coming out of whatever fog life has cast on you, and walking out of the film you are sure to feel a little more emboldened to do so. “

JOSH AT THE MOVIES - Josh Batchelder

“Character-driven dramedy at its finest” 

“Darkest Miriam speaks to loners everywhere” 

GEEK VIBES NATION - Cameron K. Ritter 

“A Powerful Story Exploring Grief And Love” 

“Darkest Miriam is a wonderful story contained in itself, but also speaks to the experience of real people. “

“Powerful and profound, Naomi Jaye’s Darkest Miriam explores the realities of both grief and love through a small glimpse into one person’s life.”

“Miriam’s story is much like many of ours, and like that of the people we see every day, and if we take these lessons to heart maybe we, too, can make people feel seen and understood and bring them out of the fog they’ve been in for far too long.”

BUZZTAINMENT - Kalhan Safaya

“Darkest Miriam is a cinematic gem that lingers in the mind”

“Its emotional resonance and visual beauty making it an unforgettable experience.”

“A captivating film that transforms the ordinary life of a librarian into an eloquent, visually poetic journey”

“A testament to Naomi Jaye’s directorial prowess and Britt Lower’s nuanced performance.”

“A captivating watch.”

“Jaye’s ability to evoke the mysteries of Miriam’s life through visual and emotional storytelling marks her as a significant talent in the cinematic landscape.”

THE AU REVIEW - Peter Gray (RT Critic)

“Darkest Miriam is a captivating drama grounded by the hauntingly beautiful performance of Britt Lower”

“There’s a subtlety and quietness to Darkest Miriam that continually laces this sad, yet captivating drama, with Britt Lower‘s haunting central performance adding a poetry to proceedings that beautifully captures those watching.” 

1 OF MY STORIES - Lindsey Dunn 

“Naomi Jaye's adaptation of this film beautifully captures the psychology of why one might be drawn to the job of librarian, acknowledging both the risks and the benefits.”

“While anyone who enjoys literary tales about people living in the margins will enjoy DARKEST MIRIAM, librarians will feel a special love for a story that feels true to their profession.”