Is evil real if you can’t see it?

? AT THE MOVIES-

A story that ropes our world against the evils of the world. Directed by French filmmaker Alexandre Aja, Never Let Go unfolds in a dark, dense, and creepy forest, with the eerie feeling of a post-apocalyptic world. A small family takes refuge in an old, gloomy cabin, trying to escape the lurking threat that haunts them.

June (Halle Berry) is a single mother living with her twin sons, Sam (Anthony B. Jenkins) and Nolan (Percy Daggs IV), in a house surrounded by an unseen Evil. To protect herself and her children from it, they must tie themselves to a long rope connected to the house whenever they venture into the forest to hunt for food. They must never let go of the rope, or the Evil will touch them.

Reality or fantasy? During one of their trips, Sam stumbles and loses his grip on the rope. In a panic, the mother rushes to save him and is confronted by the Evil, unseen to the boys. This event sparks questions and doubts in Nolan’s mind: Are they really in danger, or is it all just in his mother’s imagination? Nolan tries to escape his mother’s control, which leads to a conflict that pushes the story towards a more violent turn.

The film is a gripping story that hinges on uncertainty, keeping viewers constantly guessing until the very end. Some reviews consider the ending the weakest part of the film, though it naturally ties together a puzzle that was never going to be given up easily.

Best performance goes to… Halle Berry delivers an excellent performance, making her character easy to sympathize with even when doubts cloud our minds too. However, who really surprised us were the young actors, Anthony Jenkins and Percy Daggs IV, in extraordinary scenes that foreshadowed their future promising talents.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can find the film at VOX Cinemas at City Centre Almaza and Mall of Egypt, City Stars Cinema, Cairo Festival City,Point 90 Cinema, and Cima Arkan. Watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:23).

? FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

Nicola Yoon's debut follows a utopian all-Black suburb called Liberty, where the promise of safety and comfort masks a creeping secret and agenda. One of Our Kind unpacks what it means to seek refuge as a Black family in a world where systemic racism never seems far enough away.

The plot: Jasmyn and Kingston Williams, along with their son Kamau, move to Liberty after an issue at a traffic stop leaves them wanting a place where they can feel safe. Liberty promises just that — a peaceful, all-Black utopia complete with wide streets, elegant homes, and a wellness spa that seems to bring in many residents.

At first, the community seems perfect, but Jasmyn’s suspicions quickly grow. Her Black Power t-shirts, attempts at protest and engaging the town in social justice causes are met with apathy. Jasmyn begins to realize that the spa’s treatments seem to strip away not just their stress but also their connection to their Black identity. That's when all the unsettling truth about Liberty starts to unravel.

You can find One of Our Kind at Cherry Blossom Books.

? HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Esca Cueva provides a luxury dining experience with an interior that transports you to a serene desert oasis. The stone-clad entrance of Esca Cueva — in the heart of New Giza — is an homage to the region’s stunning dunes and rocks. The beautifully curated space feels both welcoming and enchanting, and if you have the chance to dine outside, the breathtaking landscape of New Giza makes for an incredible backdrop.

But let’s get to the food. The perfectly fried veal schnitzel cutlet was crispy on the outside and tender inside, complemented by a side of crispy potato wedges. A schnitzel is a schnitzel, you might think. But the hot berry sauce was an addition we hadn’t experienced anywhere else, and added a sweet element that elevated the dish.

But the real star of the meal was the truffle rigatoni and cheese pasta. The rigatoni in this must-try dish was cooked in a way that would make the Italians proud, and bathed in a rich truffle cream sauce topped with smoky cheese and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

The sweet conclusion to our meal was the creamy tiramisu. But for this one, we’ll concede that a tiramisu is sometimes just a tiramisu.

? Per person: EGP 1k.

? Outdoor seating: Yes.

? Alcohol: Yes.

? Accessibility friendly: Yes.