Awkwafina voice role movie : Awkwafina and Sam Rockwell headline an all-star cast in a school holiday film that delivers what most Hollywood sequels fail to achieve.
This season offers families a variety of big-screen choices, along with a standout Stephen King adaptation tailored for adults.
THE BAD GUYS 2 (PG)
Directors: Pierre Perifel, J.P. Sans
Starring: the voices of Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson.
Adapted from Aaron Blabey’s much-loved book series, The Bad Guys 2 is that rare sequel that outshines the original in all the best ways.
While the first film thrived on the sheer charm and roguish antics of the sly Mr. Wolf (voiced by Sam Rockwell) and his Ocean’s Eleven-style crew of misfit crooks, the sequel raises the stakes with a sharper storyline and a gleeful silliness guaranteed to spark smiles.
Why kids and parents will both enjoy this animated adventure
Fans will remember that when we last left The Bad Guys – featuring the scheming Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), shape-shifting Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson), tech whiz Ms. Tarantula (Awkwafina), and the ever-explosive Piranha (Anthony Ramos) – they were awkwardly adjusting to life as reformed ‘good guys.’
Of course, leaving crime behind isn’t proving easy, especially when a bold new gang arrives on the scene, pulling off daring heists that bring back memories of The Bad Guys at their notorious best.
It turns out the masterminds behind these bold crimes are none other than a crew dubbed The Bad Girls, led by the crafty Kitty Kat (Danielle Brooks), who presents Wolf and his gang with an offer they simply can’t refuse.
Before long, The Bad Guys are back to leaning on their criminal know-how, teaming up with The Bad Girls for an outrageously over-the-top heist that stretches across land, sea, sky and—believe it or not—even space.
What makes The Bad Guys 2 shine as an all-ages animated feature is its ability to keep the momentum racing without ever wearing down or losing its audience.
Kids will delight in the slapstick humor and action-packed set pieces, while parents may be surprised at just how entertaining and engaging the clever plotting proves to be.
Would you like me to make it punchier for a trailer-style blurb or keep it narrative-driven for a full review?
THE LONG WALK (MA15+)
General release.
Oh my. This harrowing adaptation of Stephen King’s 1979 novel—originally published under his Richard Bachman pseudonym—earns the title of the year’s ultimate feel-bad film. Its grim subject matter may deter some viewers, but it deserves recognition as one of the strongest King adaptations to date.
The Long Walk delivers a relentless double shot of dystopia that will undoubtedly overwhelm more sensitive audiences. Set in a near-future America where society has collapsed and human life holds frighteningly little value, the story centers on a chilling, nationally televised endurance contest.
Why The Long Walk is bleak but unforgettable
The rules are simple yet brutal: 50 young men must march in unison at no less than 3 miles per hour. Fall behind, stop, or falter—and you’re executed on the spot. Still, the promise of lifelong wealth and a single wish granted by the sinister mastermind (played by Star Wars legend Mark Hamill) proves enough to lure participants into certain doom.
What elevates the film beyond its bleakness is the way it forges immediate, powerful bonds between the audience and the walkers. The emotional investment grows step by step, making their fates hit all the harder.
Unflinching and unforgettable, The Long Walk is often almost too much to bear—but it’s far too compelling to turn away from. Starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and Charlie Plummer.
KANGAROO (PG)
Unfortunately, the movie is frequently undermined by clumsy, uneven writing, leaving Kangaroo in danger of overstaying its welcome long before the credits roll.
The heart of the story lies with Lily Whiteley, who is wonderful as Charlie, a young loner coping with her father’s recent death by caring for every orphaned roo she can find. Sadly, her heartfelt journey is too often pushed aside to make room for a far less engaging character: Ryan Corr as a bumbling TV weatherman exiled to the bush after accidentally killing a dolphin.
Lily Whiteley shines as animal-loving Charlie
Had the film leaned more into Charlie’s touching dedication to animal rescue—and less into Corr’s grating antics—it might have been a genuine school holiday standout.
Even so, little ones with a love for wildlife and the great outdoors will find joy in Liz the joey and her bouncy co-stars. The cast also includes Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair.
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