John Lui

Senior Film Correspondent

John has worked in writing and editing since the 1990s. Now The Straits Times’ film correspondent, he writes reviews and feature articles about films and television.

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Latest articles

Anthony Chen’s We Are All Strangers is first Singaporean film in Berlinale’s main competition

(Centre, left) Yeo Yann Yann and Andi Lim in a scene from Anthony Chen's We Are All Strangers.

Young love’s tragedy is timeless in Once We Were Us, human connection rules in amiable Rental Family

jomovie21a - From left: Koo Kyo-hwan and Moon Ga-Young in Once We Were Us

SOURCE: GOLDEN VILLAGE

Jessie Buckley shines in Hamnet, director Chloe Zhao’s gorgeous Shakespeare grief drama

Jessie Buckley (centre) stars as Agnes in Hamnet.

‘So embarrassing’: Host-DJ Dennis Chew late for first day of school at SUSS

Dennis Chew had begun his Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies at SUSS when he did not arrive in time for his first class on Jan 12.

Greenland 2: Migration proves brains beat brawn in the apocalypse

(Foreground, from left) Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin and Roman Griffin Davis in Greenland 2: Migration.

When Liang Po Po meets Ah Beng in new Chinese New Year movie, accidents happen

Jack Neo (left) and Jack Lim as Liang Po Po and Ah Beng at the media event for the Chinese New Year comedy Liang Po Po Vs Ah Beng, on board the Genting Dream Cruise.

New indie cinema Filmhouse to open at The Projector’s former space at Golden Mile Tower

Supporters taking pictures of the cinema the unofficial farewell party for the indie cinema The Projector at Golden Mile Tower on Aug 23, 2025.

Cannes Grand Prix winner Sentimental Value explores family trauma through film-making

jopicks08 - From left: Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas in
Sentimental Value

SOURCE: ANTICIPATE PICTURES

Escape From The Outland blends hostage drama with uneven anti-war message

Simon Yam (foreground, left), Xiao Yang (foreground, second from left) and Qi Xi (background, right) in Escape From The Outland.

For movies, nostalgia is the new normal

As Hollywood pivots to nostalgia and franchises, 2026 brings massive sequels and epic returns.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.