Mae Abdulbaki-Senior Critic

Mae Abdulbaki

Senior Critic

July, 2019
Toronto International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, SXSW
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About Mae Abdulbaki

Mae is the Senior Reviews Editor and Critic at ScreenRant. Her previous work can be found at Inverse, Pajiba, CinemaBlend, The Mary Sue, Looper, and more. She has also served as a film festival juror at SXSW, LightReel Film Festival, and more. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Washington, DC Area Film Critics Association. 

Favorite Media

Mae's favorite media varies, depending on the moment, but she currently adores One Day, Tell Me Lies, Past Lives, Hamnet, and Bridgerton. Pride and Prejudice, The Hunger Games franchise, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding are always on the list of rewatchable films, and she has had many opinions about The CW's Arrowverse. 

Latest

Bridgerton still featuring Daphne and Simon standing in front of a portrait of themselves, smiling at each other.
Bridgerton: Is Daphne & Simon's Story Really Over?

Bridgerton is focused on Simon and Daphne's romance, but it concludes at the end of season 1. This is good, as it paves the way for other stories.

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By Design Review: I've Never Been More Fascinated By A Chair Than In This Artsy Yet Thoughtful Dramedy

By Design explores the loneliness of wanting to be seen, and how the characters attempt that in a world that would rather they be a sounding board.  

Will Arnett in Is This Thing On?
Is This Thing On? Review: Bradley Cooper's Honest Relationship Dramedy Is A Perfect Blend Of Humor & Heart

Cooper’s film is surprisingly thoughtful in its exploration of these questions.The result is a story that is as funny as it is heartfelt.

Man Finds Tape - First Image
Man Finds Tape Review: This Chilling Mystery Is One Of The More Exciting Found Footage Horror Movies I've Seen In A While

The result is a film that isn’t aiming to do anything different but is good at utilizing subgenre elements that make it a worthwhile watch. 

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Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Review - Rian Johnson's Sharp Franchise Has Lost Some Of Its Edge With Latest Mystery

Rian Johnson still keeps us on our toes, but the franchise has lost some of its footing with this one. 

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Miles Teller looking on as Callum Turner holds Elizabeth Olsen's hand to his chest in Eternity 2025
Eternity Review: Elizabeth Olsen Struggles To Choose Her Afterlife In Hilarious But Underwritten Rom-Com

It’s charming and wildly entertaining, but by skirting a conventional narrative to be more creative, the story loses some of its effectiveness

Felicity Jones and Joel edgerton in Train Dreams-1
Train Dreams Review: Joel Edgerton's Western Drama Is Stunning To Behold & Yet I Just Couldn't Fall In Love With It

The film is visually gorgeous, with some of the best cinematography, and while I appreciated its introspection, it’s far too drawn out and aimless.

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Brendan Fraser smiling at a baby in Rental Family
Rental Family Review: Brendan Fraser Delivers A Deeply Touching Performance In One Of The Year's Best Dramas

It’s a heartwarming film that asks thoughtful questions, and I promise you won’t be disappointed by its answers. 

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The Beast In Me Review: Claire Danes & Matthew Rhys' Sinister Onscreen Friendship Keeps This Compelling Mystery Thriller Going

It may be the mystery that draws us in but it’s the warped character dynamics that keeps us watching.

Sarah Snook and Jake Lacey in All Her Fault
All Her Fault Review: Sarah Snook & Dakota Fanning Are Superb In A Mystery Thriller That Masterfully Toyed With My Mind & Emotions

All Her Fault crafts a mystery thriller that expertly explores the tension between its characters as it peels back their secrets.

Emma Thompson is looking to the side in Down Cemetery Road
Down Cemetery Road Review: Emma Thompson & Ruth Wilson Are Superb In Apple TV's Exciting, Deliberately Paced Mystery Thriller

Nothing is ever rushed or skipped over, and the thrills, while subtle, are all the more stressful thanks to the show’s consistent pacing.

QUEENS OF THE DEAD - Still 1
Queens Of The Dead Review: Stylish Zombie Horror Comedy Underwhelms When It Comes To Its Most Important Elements

The film is a horror-comedy that is never really either, but it wears its heart on its sleeve, getting by with a game cast and a good-natured spirit.

the hand that rocks the cradle still
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Review: Hulu's Underwhelming Psychological Thriller Needed To Delve Deeper Into Its Intriguing Ideas

Hulu's 2025 remake of the 1992 film is the kind of remake that falls somewhere in the middle, standing between not so horrible and not so great. 

Jared Leto in his grid suit in Tron: Ares
TRON: Ares, Roofman, After The Hunt & More: ScreenRant's Review Roundup

From TRON: Ares to Netflix's The Woman in Cabin 10, ScreenRant's got you covered with the latest movie reviews.

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Kiss Of The Spider Woman Review: Jennifer Lopez Wows As An Alluring Diva In This Sensational Yet Flawed Musical

Thrilling, sharp dance numbers, glitzy costumes & campy dialogue all come together to create a dazzling musical that has a few flaws.

Keira Knightley in The Woman in Cabin 10
The Woman In Cabin 10 Review: Keira Knightley Leads A Compelling Psychological Horror That Doesn't Go Overboard

The Woman in Cabin 10 mostly and successfully pulls off an intriguing psychological mystery that gets right to the point

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She Loved Blossoms More Review: Trippy Sci-Fi Horror Is Brimming With Creativity & Style But Not Much Else

Just like the characters are more obsessed with their machine, the film is caught up in its surreal delirium, forgetting to focus on much else.

Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt in The Smashing Machine
The Smashing Machine, Shell, Anemone & More: ScreenRant's Review Roundup

From Dwayne Johnson's dramatic turn in The Smashing Machine to Daniel Day-Lewis's return to the big screen, ScreenRant's got you covered with reviews.

Mark Wahlberg as Parker in Play Dirty
Play Dirty Review: Mark Wahlberg & A Funny Ensemble Cast Fail To Save This Charmless, Convoluted Action Comedy From Itself

Play Dirty would have been a wildly more fascinating ride if it weren’t so messy and drawn-out. 

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Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean in Anemone
Anemone Review: Daniel Day-Lewis's Performance Is Far Superior To This Inert Psychological Drama That Can't

This slothy psychological drama is frustratingly dull and underwhelming despite gorgeous cinematography and great performances.

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