Senior Film Critic

Omid Darvishi

Omid writes long-form reviews focused on craft, performance, and how big-screen genre filmmaking translates to the streaming era.

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Articles by Omid

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Inside the Denis Villeneuve playbook every studio is now trying to copy

Two-part releases, patient first acts, and symphonic IMAX design turned Dune into a financial and critical benchmark. The attempts to replicate that structure are already reshaping which projects get made.

Omid Darvishi

Apr 12, 2026 · 8 min read

Film set lighting rig at dusk behind a director's chair

Empty audition room with a single folding chair and spotlight

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The character-actor renaissance is rewriting how A-list casting works

Performers who spent a decade in supporting-role tracks are now carrying $30–60 million originals to awards-season dominance. Casting directors say the shift is permanent.

Omid Darvishi

7 min