Movie Review

Velvet Buzzsaw cuts to the core of art world snobbery

When last we saw the pairing of writer/director Dan Gilroy and actor Jake Gyllenhaal, it was in 2014’s Nightcrawler, a movie that contained a superlative performance by Gyllenhaal mixed with an indictment of the “if it bleeds, it leads” culture of local TV news. They’re back together again in the Netflix film Velvet Buzzsaw, a mixed bag that nonetheless has some pointed things to say.

Set the art world of Los Angeles, the film mainly follows three people: Morf Vandewalt (Gyllenhaal), an art critic whose reviews are so respected that they can make or break careers; Rhodora Haze (Rene Russo), an art gallery owner who has the power to sign almost any artist she pleases; and Josephina (Zawe Ashton), an assistant to Rhodora who stumbles upon perhaps the art find of the century.

Everyone who views the works by the previously unknown artist, including art aficionado Gretchen (Toni Collette) and respected artists like Piers (John Malkovich) and Damrish (Daveed Diggs), is bewitched by the art's content. That term, however, comes to have a second, more gruesome context as anyone who attempts to profit from the art starts to die in increasingly unsavory ways through seemingly supernatural means.

It’s clear that Gilroy is attempting to comment on the snobbery of the art world, and criticism in general, through the film, which tends to laugh at how seriously the various characters take themselves. It also questions the divide between the purveyors and the critic, who in the film have a codependent relationship that raises eyebrows about the authenticity on both sides.

It’s difficult, however, to know what to make of the film’s descent into horror-like situations. Is it simply Gilroy showing his disdain for the type of person those characters represent? None of the killing scenarios are all that scary — some, in fact, are hilarious — so it’s unlikely they’ll play well for horror movie fans. Still, without them, the film wouldn’t work at all, so they’re a necessary evil to keep the story progressing.

One way the film does succeed is in creating its own visual art. The actual art in the film is interesting, but it’s the palette created on film by Gilroy and cinematographer Robert Elswit that really catches the eye. This especially comes through in several overhead shots of Los Angeles, a movie trope that wouldn’t normally bear mentioning. Somehow Elswit makes those shots not only noteworthy but stunning, in a way that will make you want to pause the film just to stare at them for a few moments.

Gyllenhaal, known for his eccentric choices in roles, makes the most of Morf, although unfortunately that’s less than he showed in Nightcrawler and other top-notch roles. Russo, who played a ball-buster in Nightcrawler, does so again here and demonstrates that she should be getting way more parts than she is currently booking. Collette and Malkovich class up the joint in smaller roles, while Ashton and Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things) fill the up-and-comer parts nicely.

Velvet Buzzsaw is a film that will likely not satisfy fans of the art world or horror movies, but the combination of talented actors and striking art at least keep it watchable for most of its running time.

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Velvet Buzzsaw starts streaming February 1 on Netflix.

Rene Russo and Jake Gyllenhaal in Velvet Buzzsaw.

Rene Russo and Jake Gyllenhaal in Velvet Buzzsaw

Photo by Claudette Barius/Netflix

Rene Russo and Jake Gyllenhaal in Velvet Buzzsaw.

weekend event planner

Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this Easter weekend

New Edition

Photo courtesy of New Edition

New Edition will perform at the Toyota Center this Saturday.

It’s Easter weekend, which means lots of people will be gathering with their families for a special brunch.

For those parents who don’t want to take their kids to another dang Easter egg hunt, several Disney-related happenings are going down this weekend, including a chance to see Disney characters get their Alysa Liu on.

New Edition

Photo courtesy of New Edition

New Edition will perform at the Toyota Center this Saturday.

Houstonians can also attend a “conspiracy theory night,” a musical adaptation of a beloved summer blockbuster, and live music from Ronnie, Bobby, Johnny, Ricky, and Mike (don’t forget about Ralph)!

Thursday, April 2

Mid Main Houston presents First Thursday Block Party
Let’s see what the folks at Mid Main Houston have geared up this month’s First Thursday Block Party. The Orange Show for Visionary Art is this month’s nonprofit partner. Mermaid Junction, Tarot Bingo, Beetle, and Alex Lambert will provide live music, while DJ Boogie Soul spins in the breezeway. Artist Abigail Simpson will be showing her solo exhibition State of Feeling at Mid Main Gallery. Also, traveling Top Chef finalist Dawn Burrell's pop-up Philly Jawn will be serving cheesesteaks at Alley Kat Bar & Lounge, with DJ Flash Gordon Parks serving up tunes. 6 pm.

Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University presents Opening Reception for Moody Project Wall: Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin
Celebrate the opening of interdisciplinary artists Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin’s collaborative installation at Moody Project Wall, titled I remember this one time. . . Vaughan and Margolin draw on their joint, research-driven practice, which pieces together fragments of LGBTQ+ history to uncover, reanimate, and share stories that might otherwise be lost. The installation includes personal memories, archival histories, images, objects, and ephemera collected from Rice students and the Houston area. Through Saturday, August 15. 6 pm.

Doc’s Jazz Club presents Doc’s Presents: Veronica Swift
Doc’s Jazz Club (located in the historic Montrose building that housed the Tower Theatre) celebrates its half-year milestone and Jazz Appreciation Month with a new concert series set to light up the marquee on Thursday nights. The season begins with a performance by jazz sensation Veronica Swift. A couple Thursdays from now, rising star/former The Voice contestant Wyatt Michael will join forces with The Graeme Francis Orchestra to perform the Sinatra at the Sands live album in its entirety. 7 & 9:30 pm.

Friday, April 3

CLASS Bookstore Presents: The Tin Foil Kufi Symposium - April 2026 Edition
Do you have a conspiracy theory that you’ve wanted to discuss with a group of like-minded ~~crackpots~~ thinkers? Thankfully, CLASS Bookstore now has a monthly night for people to present their theories, no matter how weird or unbelievable they may sound. So, whether you think the Illuminati is real, Tupac and Biggie are lounging on a beach somewhere, or Sydney Sweeney is a government decoy set up to lure dudebros into going MAGA (that’s one been on our minds), you now have a place to call home. 7 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Mr Nobody Against Putin
Pasha Talankin is a beloved Russian primary-school teacher, mentor, and prankster. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Talankin is forced to promote state-sanctioned messages and is horrified by the transformation of his school and community. He soon becomes an international whistleblower, documenting the rise of militarized children’s groups, repressive laws, and fervent nationalism. Winner of multiple film-festival awards, Mr Nobody Against Putin also won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at this year’s Academy Awards. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

Houston Symphony presents Disney’s Fantasia In Concert
Let’s say you convinced your fam to see Disney’s 1940 masterwork Fantasia back when you were eight. But since the movie’s music is mostly classical, you dipped out during the dancing-hippos section and never finished watching it. Here's the chance to rectify the situation. Stunning animation will fill the giant screen at Jones Hall while the Houston Symphony brings the soundtrack to life, including favorites like Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. 7:30 pm (2 & 7:30 pm Saturday).

Theatre Under the Stars presents Back to the Future the Musical
Back to the Future, the beloved cinematic classic, is now a Broadway musical. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now, he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself… back to the future. The production features original music by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard alongside hit songs from the movie. 8 pm (7:30 pm Thursday; 2 & 8 pm Saturday; 2 & 7:30 pm Sunday).

Saturday, April 4

Disney On Ice: Jump In!
In Disney On Ice: Jump In!, classic characters Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy use the Magical MousePad to journey into the heart of other Disney tales, including Moana 2 and Inside Out 2 — bringing new characters like Anxiety to the ice for the first time. Audiences will also see Stitch from Lilo & Stitch, the bustling metropolis of Zootopia, the icy realms of Frozen, the playful universe of Toy Story, the vibrant world of Encanto, and Disney princesses like Ariel, Jasmine, Rapunzel, and Tiana. 11 am, 3 & 7 pm (7 pm Thursday; 11 am, 3 & 7 pm Friday; 3 pm Sunday).

Karbach Brewing Co. and Space Center Houston present Space News & Brews
Karbach Brewing Co. will team up with Space Center Houston for an unforgettable afternoon of craft beer and cosmic conversation. Mingle with fellow space enthusiasts and enjoy an exclusive ask-me-anything session with NASA astronaut Toni Antonelli and space expert Chris Matty. Attendees will be able to immerse themselves in a pub-style discussion with space experts about important space science and exploration news they may have missed, plus what’s coming up that they'll want to learn about. 2 pm.

Cactus Music presents George Ducas – In-Store Performance
Galveston-born, Grammy-nominated country singer George Ducas has had multiple Billboard chart hits, including his signature breakout “Lipstick Promises," and has even written hit records for all-timers like George Jones, Garth Brooks, The Chicks, and Trisha Yearwood. After dropping his 2024 effort Long Way From Home, Ducas is now that person moving the sound forward, while always respecting what has come before him. He’ll be performing songs from Home and others during a live performance at Cactus Music this weekend. 3 pm.

New Edition in concert with Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton
The New Edition Way Tour brings together three of music’s most enduring and influential acts: New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton. The concert celebrates music, legacy, and connection, offering fans an opportunity to experience the legendary artists performing together. New Edition stands as the ultimate supergroup, paving the way for the modern boy band phenomenon that inspired groups like New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, and the K-pop phenomenon. 8 pm.

Sunday, April 5

Bunnies on the Bayou 47
Bunnies on the Bayou returns to Sesquintennial Park in downtown Houston, celebrating its 47th year with a bold affirmation of life, love, and collective power under the 2026 theme, Resistance in Bloom. The park will transform into an outdoor celebration of music, movement, and community. People can expect live DJs on the main stage, dancing, sponsor activations, drinks, food for purchase, and shared moments that remind us why gathering still matters. This is a 21+ event with no exceptions. 1 pm.

Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown presents Zootopia 2
Hop on over to Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown for an Easter celebration that’s big on magic and even bigger on fun. Enjoy the springtime atmosphere at the outdoor venue, where kids get to meet the Easter Bunny when the doors open. It all leads up to a rooftop screening of the recent hit sequel Zootopia 2, featuring everyone’s favorite bunny detective, Judy Hopps. Seating is first-come-first-serve, and no outside food or drink allowed. 3 pm.

Houston Polo Club 2026 Season
The Houston Polo Club returns with world-class play, champagne moments, and a social scene unlike anywhere else in the city. Its 2026 season features 10 spring matches and 10 fall matches, each of which features a player parade, expert announcing, live music, a champagne divot stomp at halftime, and a special trophy presentation. Things will kick off this weekend with the Spring Cup, where kids can bring their Easter baskets for a candy toss at halftime. 5 pm.

easter disney new edition houston weekend events event-planner

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