Push (2025) Spoiler Free Review
Push is a 2025 horror thriller written and directed by David Charbonier and Justin Douglas Powell, known for their previous work on ‘The Boy Behind the Door’ and ‘The Djinn.‘ The film had its world premiere at the SITGES – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia on October 3, 2024, and was released on the streaming platform Shudder on July 11, 2025.
Follows a realtor who must survive a night of terror when a deranged client shows up at her open house.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Alicia Sanz as Natalie, Raúl Castillo as The Client, David Alexander Flinn as Matt, Gore Abrams as GUY, Luke Barnet as Dr. Waller, Cole Gleason as Officer Stevens, Linc Hand as Officer Scaringe, Dagney Kerr as Nurse Lippens, and Justin Marcel McManus as Officer Grant.
“Push” follows Natalie Flores (Alicia Sanz), a pregnant realtor who is trying to sell a large, isolated mansion with a dark and troubled past while dealing with her own recent grief. During the open house, Natalie finds herself alone and vulnerable when a deranged client (Raúl Castillo) arrives. What begins as an unsettling encounter quickly escalates into a terrifying home invasion as the client reveals his sinister intentions. Trapped in the remote house, Natalie’s situation becomes even more desperate when the stress of the attack sends her into premature labor.
With undeniable plot similarities to the 2007 French horror film ‘Inside‘, ‘Push‘ doesn’t aim for a mere retelling but tries to bring its own twist into the story. The narrative unfolds entirely within a single, claustrophobic location, focusing on the struggle between two primary characters over a taut ninety-minute runtime. This ‘cat and mouse’ dynamic, while a well known trope in horror cinema, is rendered remarkably fresh and viscerally engaging by writers and directors David Charbonier and Justin Douglas Powell. With a captivating cinematography the film builds up a tense and effective atmosphere that makes you hold your breath until it disappears without the anticipated climax.
Indeed, the film excels in its initial promise, constructing an intensely suspenseful environment. However, the tension, unfortunately, dissipates without a truly satisfying or anticipated climax. While Push boasts a strong start, a noticeable lack of character and plot development ultimately causes the narrative to drag, stretching thin until it can no longer sustain its momentum. Yet, the single-location setting is utilized to its full advantage, effectively immersing the viewer. The sprawling, almost labyrinthine mansion becomes a character in itself, enhancing the pervasive sense of being trapped alongside a dangerous intruder, all while an intriguing mystery subtly unravels within the house’s shadowed walls. The film’s strength lies in its ability to transform a seemingly safe space into a terrifying prison, even if the ultimate payoff doesn’t quite live up to its ambitious setup.
Push is now available on Shudder.