Author | Rachel West

Rachel West

Associate Editor / Senior Critic

Rachel West is a former senior producer for ET Canada and Cineplex with a B.A. (Honours) in Film Studies from Carleton University. She has interviewed everyone from Michael Fassbender to Miss Piggy and has reported live from TIFF, SXSW, Star Wars Celebration, Comic-Con, D23, CinemaCon, BAFTA Tea Party, the SAG Awards, and the Golden Globes, among other events.

Her film writing and interviews have appeared in publications and outlets including Entertainment Tonight, Global News, Shaw Connect, The National Post, Toronto Film Scene, Cineplex Magazine, CAA Magazine, FIPRESCI.org, Mondo Magazine, Discover Toronto, The Weather Network and more.

Rachel is a member of the Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) and has served on several film festival juries including the Rising Sun International Film Festival in Japan, the Tallgrass Film Festival, Festival REGARD, and the ICFF Lavazza Inclucity Festival. She is an Associate Programmer at the Blue Mountain Film and Media Festival.

Articles by Rachel West:

October 23, 2025
KÃ¶ln 75 Review: WIFF 2025
KÃ¶ln 75 riffs on the true story behind Keith Jarrett’s legendary 1975 KÃ¶ln Concert ”” but this isn’t just about jazz. It’s about Vera Brandes, the fearless young woman who made it happen.

October 23, 2025
Zodiac Killer Project Review: When Failure Sparks a Fascinating New Story
Filmmaker Charlie Shackleton’s unrealized Zodiac Killer Project becomes a fascinating exploration of what happens when the story you set out to tell slips away.

October 21, 2025
Love, Harold Review: A Compassionate Look at Suicide
Alan Zweig’s documentary Love, Harold is a tender, courageous film about finding connection through loss.

September 19, 2025
20 Films to See at the Windsor International Film Festival
From hidden gems to buzzworthy films, here are 20 exciting movies to put on your radar for the 2025 Windsor International Film Festival.

September 16, 2025
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Review
While A Big Bold Beautiful Journey requires a leap of logic, those willing to make the effort and buy into the premise will be richly rewarded by the film’s heart.

September 13, 2025
The Last Viking Review: TIFF 2025
Mixing chaos, comedy, and compassion, The Last Viking cements Jensen and Mikkelsen as one of cinema’s most delightfully unpredictable duos.

September 12, 2025
Ally Pankiw Lilith Fair: Building A Mystery Interview: TIFF 2025
In her first feature-length documentary, Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, writer and director Ally Pankiw puts the spotlight back on not only Sarah McLachlan’s achievements, but the artists who championed women-led music alongside her.

September 10, 2025
California Schemin’ Review: TIFF 2025
California Schemin’ proves that with wit, heart, and a bit of cheek, being Scottish can be a serious advantage.

September 9, 2025
Ballad of a Small Player Review: TIFF 2025
With Edward Berger’s stylish direction and Colin Farrell at his magnetic best, Ballad of a Small Player is a gamble that pays off.

September 8, 2025
Steve Review: TIFF 2025
Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy reunites with his Small Things Like These director Tim Mielants, who adapts Max Porter’s 2023 novella Shy for the Netflix reform school drama. A quiet drama about a place and people on the brink of collapse, Steve’s power lies in its performances.

September 6, 2025
Obsession Review: TIFF 2025
Writer-director Curry Barker takes this familiar concept and runs with it in his feature film debut, Obsession , a one-note horror that will fail to satisfy TIFF’s Midnight Madness audience.

September 5, 2025
The Man In My Basement Review: TIFF 2025
More unsettling drama than traditional thriller, The Man In My Basement pairs Willem Dafoe and Corey Hawkins in a tense, philosophical story of race, power, and morality, marking a confident feature debut for Nadia Latif.

September 4, 2025
Charlie Harper Review: TIFF 2025
In Mac Eldridge and Tom Dean’s nostalgic romance Charlie Harper , the formative relationship years of a 20-something couple are showcased in a way audiences haven’t seen since (500) Days of Summer.

September 3, 2025
Still Single Interview: Jamal Burger and Chef Masaki Saito on Their TIFF 2025 Documentary
Toronto’s only two-star Michelin chef, Masaki Saito, and director Jamal Burger discuss documentary Still Single.

August 27, 2025
The Thursday Murder Club Review: Big Stars, Weak Mystery
Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club brings Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley & Pierce Brosnan together for a cozy whodunit, but even an A-list cast can’t solve the mystery of a lifeless script.

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With just 34 days before reporting to federal prison, Elizabeth Holmes invites filmmakers Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim into her home for an unrestricted look at her life. What begins as an offer of complete access becomes an unsettling exploration of truth, performance, and the difficulty of knowing who someone really is. Balancing uncomfortable humour with a fascinating sense of ambiguity, the documentary refuses to offer easy answers about Holmes or her carefully constructed public image. Through intimate cinematography, intricate editing, and Fielder’s signature awkwardness, it challenges audiences to question what they’re seeing, making for an ambitious, thought-provoking film that lingers long after it ends. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
6 hours ago
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Rest in peace, Tom Skerritt (1933–2026). A familiar and commanding presence on screen for more than six decades, Skerritt built a remarkable career across film and television, bringing a quiet authority and understated humanity to every role. From Captain Dallas in Alien and Viper in Top Gun to his performances in MASH*, The Turning Point, Steel Magnolias, and A River Runs Through It, he became part of some of cinema’s most enduring stories. On television, he earned an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences, a role that showcased his ability to balance strength, warmth, and humour. Whether playing a military commander, a father, or a small-town sheriff, Skerritt had a way of making his characters feel grounded and real. With a career spanning generations and more than 170 film and television credits, he leaves behind a body of work that will continue to find new audiences. Thank you for the performances and the lasting mark you left on cinema.
1 day ago
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Street Fighter brings the iconic video game franchise back to the big screen, following estranged brothers Ryu and Ken as they reunite for the World Warrior Tournament. But with M. Bison plotting to harness the fighters’ power for his own sinister purposes, the competition soon becomes a battle for the fate of the world. Packed with spectacular fight sequences, nostalgic references, and a soundtrack that takes audiences straight back to the ’90s, the film delivers a major upgrade over its predecessor. With a perfectly matched cast, genuinely funny dialogue, and faithful recreations of the game’s signature moves, it balances fan service with entertaining action that newcomers can enjoy, too. 📝 Full review by Sarah Gopaul now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
3 days ago
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3/9

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Whalefall follows Jay Gardiner, a young scuba diver who finds himself trapped inside a sperm whale and facing an increasingly desperate fight for survival. But as he struggles to escape before his oxygen runs out, the experience also forces him to confront unresolved grief and his complicated relationship with his late father. Led by Austin Abrams, the film delivers an intense underwater survival thriller with impressive technical work and a convincing sense of claustrophobia. However, its exploration of grief and family trauma struggles to match the tension of its central premise, relying on familiar character arcs and heavy-handed emotional beats that leave its themes feeling muddled. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
4 days ago
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4/9

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What does it mean to see and hear yourself represented on screen? In his feature directorial debut, California Schemin’, James McAvoy tells the true story of Scottish rappers Silibil N’ Brains, who found success by pretending to be American. In this interview with That Shelf, McAvoy discusses the importance of staying true to the Scottish identity at the heart of the film, bringing the duo’s story to life, and why everyone deserves to see their own experiences reflected in cinema. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
1 week ago
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5/9

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The Social Reckoning revisits the world of Facebook, following data scientist Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal journalist Jeff Horwitz as they investigate the company’s role in spreading harmful content and radicalizing users. Set between 2019 and 2021, the film examines the consequences of prioritizing profit over people in the social media industry. Despite tackling an urgent and relevant subject, Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up struggles to offer fresh insights into the damage caused by social media. While the story raises important questions about corporate responsibility and the power of technology, underdeveloped characters, an awkward central relationship, and uninspired direction prevent the film from reaching its full potential. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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Six seasons into Slow Horses, Gary Oldman continues to find new layers in Jackson Lamb, the sharp-tongued, dishevelled spy at the centre of the series. In conversation with That Shelf at TIFF, Oldman reflects on playing Lamb over multiple seasons, the character’s history and hidden vulnerabilities, and the parallels between Lamb and another of his iconic spies, George Smiley. He also shares how adapting Mick Herron’s novels allows him to keep discovering new details about a character who carries years of history and baggage. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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7/9

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Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother follows Latif, a devout Muslim and hitman whose life takes a turn after his wife’s death leaves him caring for their three children. With his infant refusing formula and their supply of breast milk running out, Latif must navigate a dangerous world of crime and violence while trying to provide for his family. Mahershala Ali delivers an extraordinary performance in this striking blend of crime thriller, dark comedy, and religious parable. Bassam Tariq explores faith, fatherhood, hypocrisy, and forgiveness without losing sight of the tenderness at the film’s heart. Despite some uneven pacing near the end, it’s a bold, moving, and unforgettable film that stands apart from anything else this year. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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8/9

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Eva Marie Saint, one of the last silver-screen icons, has passed away at 102. She burst onto the scene with a magnificent supporting role opposite Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront — a role that earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She went on to memorable parts in North by Northwest, Raintree Country, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, Summer and Smoke, Exodus, and The Rainmaker. Her more recent roles included parts in Winter's Tale, Because of Winn-Dixie, and Superman Returns. Originally from Newark, she auditioned for Elia Kazan and was accepted into the Actors Studio, becoming one of a new generation of strong, method actors. One of the last of her Hollywood generation, she leaves us with an impressive career and legacy of over 6 decades! RIP.
3 weeks ago
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9/9