Alina Edwards, Wellesley College

Though directors often use women as protagonists in thriller films, their male perspective turns characters into puppets — and Alex Garland’s film is no exception.

Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

This 2021 hit became the second-highest-grossing Chinese film ever by presenting familial love and sacrifice in an unprecedented way.

Alida Siebken, Radford University

The challenges of being a non-traditional student can be daunting, but Nicole Spillane has ironed out the wrinkles.