Though I wouldn't call myself a "cinephile," I am very picky with films. Similarly to novels, I really love horror and fantasy, but I prefer sci-fi over fantasy when it comes to movies. I don't even catch up to most releases and Oscar nominations. I'm also heavily desensitized now due to constant exposure to horror, so my bar is pretty high. When it comes to horror, I dislike horror movies that rely too much on jump scares, as I find them cheap. I prefer horror that is creepy, builds a feeling of dread, or explores horrible moral implications.

As for other genres, I don't really like action anymore. Superhero, military, and spy movies like the MCU, Top Gun, or John Wick, I'm not really interested in those. I do enjoy supporting indie and animated releases, though, mostly because of their clear love for the art. Indies are particularly challenging due to the lack of studio backing and marketing, while animation is objectively difficult and costly to produce. It takes real passion and dedication to create something meaningful under those constraints, and that sincerity often shines through in the final work.

I also really love documentaries, especially nature documentaries narrated by David Attenborough and science documentaries. Musicals can be hit or miss as I'm not really a theater person, but I do appreciate the art form. The only musical that really stood out for me was Les Misérables.