Author | Shawn Peer

Shawn Peer

Freatured Critic

Shawn Peer is a Toronto-area film critic and pop culture writer based in Vaughan, Ontario. He is a regular contributor to That Shelf and ForReel, where he offers commentary on everything from indie gems to blockbuster hits. Passionate about awards season, Shawn follows the fall and winter festival circuits and major ceremonies with near-religious devotion.

Articles by Shawn Peer:

July 18, 2025
I Know What You Did Last Summer Review: Gruesome Kills Keep the Franchise Alive
I Know What You Did Last Summer introduces the iconic horror franchise to a new generation while paying tribute to what came before.

May 30, 2025
Karate Kid: Legends Review: If It Ain’t Broke, Tweak It a Little
Karate Kid: Legends brings a fresh spin to a classic formula, blending old and new in a fun, fast-paced ride.

May 1, 2025
In Thunderbolts*, Trauma Isn’t Just a Backstory, It’s the Plot According To Florence Pugh, David Harbour
The Thunderbolts* cast talks their latest Marvel movie about anti-heroes forced to work together on a dangerous and deadly mission.

April 25, 2025
On Swift Horses Review: A Tale of Self-Discovery That Plays It a Little Too Safe
On Swift Horses boasts a stellar cast, but its split narrative and safe storytelling keep it from reaching its full potential.

March 31, 2025
A Working Man Review: Jason Statham Sticks to What He Knows Best
David Ayer and Jason Statham team up for another action thriller that is familiar, yet overlong and unnecessarily convoluted.

March 16, 2025
The Electric State Review: A Lifeless Sci-Fi Epic That Fails to Reach Its Potential
Even with groundbreaking comic book movies behind them, the Russos somehow deliver a lifeless and forgettable film with The Electric State.

September 28, 2024
K-Pops! Review: Anderson .Paak’s Promising, if Conventional, Debut
Anderson .Paak’s family comedy K-Pops! is familiar, but also full of heart thanks to the real father-son relationship at its core.

September 15, 2024
The Piano Lesson: TIFF 2024 Review
While The Piano Lesson delivers strong performances and stays true to Wilson’s play, it might not leave a lasting impression.

July 23, 2024
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Review: Eddie Murphy’s Still Got It
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Review: Eddie Murphy’s long-awaited return to the classic action-comedy franchise is familiar, albeit forgettable.

July 21, 2024
Interview: Tope Babalola on The Delivery
Tope Babalola talks about what it took to direct, write, and star in The Delivery and how he is using the experience for his future projects.

May 14, 2024
Interview: Owen Teague and Kevin Durand on Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Shawn Peer sits down with stars Owen Teague and Kevin Durand to discuss their process working on Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

May 13, 2024
The Idea of You Review: You Deserve More, Anne Hathaway
The Idea of You does not do much to set itself apart from the hundreds of other romantic comedies out there.

January 27, 2023
Shelf Pick: Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls
Get a sneak peek at Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls, a new coming-of-age tale that follows a group of girls navigating the hardships of middle school. See it at the Carlton in Toronto starting Feb. 3!

January 23, 2023
Berlin International Film Festival Announces 2023 Line-up
Line-up revealed for the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival includes Sean Penn’s Superpower and Matt Johnson’s BlackBerry.

January 12, 2023
Door Mouse: Avan Jogia’s First Outing in the Director’s Chair
The mystery-thriller Door Mouse is actor Avan Jogia’s feature directorial debut.

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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).
1 day ago
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1/9

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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).
2 days ago
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2/9

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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).
6 days ago
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3/9

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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).
1 week ago
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4/9

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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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5/9

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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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6/9

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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.
2 weeks ago
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7/9

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ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS TO SEE #THESOCIALRECKONING! Inspired by true events and the whistleblower who started the social media reckoning we’re seeing play out today, this Aaron Sorkin original screenplay is a companion piece to the hit film The Social Network and a true David and Goliath story. Frances Haugen (Madison), a young Facebook engineer, enlists the help of Jeff Horwitz (White), a Wall Street Journal reporter, to go on a dangerous journey that ends up blowing the whistle on the social network’s most guarded secrets. Follow the instructions below, and you'll be entered to win tickets to see the film when it hits theatres on October 9th, courtesy of @sonypictures, @thetarogroup and That Shelf! 📱 Follow That Shelf, 📱 Like this post, 📱 Tell us your favourite based-on-a-true-story movie, and, 📱 Tag the friend you'll bring with you to the movie! @TheSocialReckoning debuts exclusively in movie theatres on October 9, 2026. Giveaway closes on October 7 at 11:59 ET. Open to Canadian residents only. One entry per person. #giveaway #canadacontest #movietickets
2 weeks ago
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8/9

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CONTEST: ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS TO BRAZIL FILM FEST That Shelf, and @brazilfilmfest want to send you and a friend to see the best of Brazilian cinema in Toronto! 🗓️ Film 1 - Malês (Oct 9, 11 am) 🗓️ Film 2 - Zico, the Samurai of Quintino (Oct 9, 2 pm) 🗓️ Film 3 - The Noise of the Night (Oct 9, 4:45 pM) 🗓️ Film 4 - If I Were You 3 (Oct 10, 11:15 am) 🗓️ Film 5 - The Crime Genius (Oct 11, 11 am) Here's how to enter: 🇧🇷 Follow us and @brazilfilmfest 🇧🇷 Like this post 🇧🇷 Tell us which film you'd like to attend, and 🇧🇷 Tag a friend October 9–11, 2026 📍 TIFF Lightbox | Toronto 🎟️ Tickets & festival details: brazilfilmfest.ca Giveaway closes on October 7. Open to Canadian residents only. Winners will be contacted via DM. 🗓️ Film 1 - Malês (Oct 9, 11 am) Malês is a powerful story of resilience and courage set against the vibrant backdrop of Salvador in 1835. Torn from their homeland in Africa during their wedding ceremony, two young Muslims are enslaved in Brazil. Separated by a cruel fate, they struggle to survive and find one another again as they become caught up in the largest enslaved uprising in Brazilian history: the Malê Revolt. 🗓️ Film 2 - Zico, the Samurai of Quintino (Oct 9, 2 pm) An original portrait of the life and career of Arthur Antunes Coimbra—better known as Zico. The Samurai of Quintino explores the many dimensions of one of football's greatest legends, revealing the unique personality behind the icon. Drawing on Zico's personal archive—made public for the first time—the documentary weaves together stories from his remarkable journey with Flamengo, the Brazilian National Team, and Japan. Featuring Ronaldo Nazário, Maestro Júnior, friends, and family, the film offers an intimate look at the man behind the legend, leading to a surprising encounter with the "Spirit of Zico": an identity as fascinating as it is paradoxical, forged in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, yet shaped by values and discipline that found their perfect match in Japan. 🗓️ Film 3 - The Noise of the Night (Oct 9, 4:45 PM) Sônia is a woman who has spent her life burying the wounds of her childhood, feeling unseen and forgotten by her husband
3 weeks ago
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9/9