Review
Dune: Part Two Review: Villeneuve’s Sandworm Symphony
Bigger, weirder, somehow better than the first.
May 22, 2026
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TheDigitalWise · Editorial Desk · ★ Verified Critic
Marcus Cole
Hollywood Editor — Studios & Awards
Hollywood Editor. Covers studio films, awards season, US box office, and the festival circuit. Formerly The Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire, and Variety.
4 stories
13 yrs experience
📍 Los Angeles, California
Beat
Hollywood studio films, awards season (Oscars, Golden Globes, Critics Choice), US box office, Sundance, TIFF, Telluride
Expertise
Hollywood studios
Awards season
Box office economics
Auteur cinema
Sundance/TIFF reporting
Languages
English
Conversational Spanish
Credentials
🎓 Education
MFA Film Studies, USC School of Cinematic Arts · BA Journalism, Northwestern Medill
📰 Previously
The Hollywood Reporter (2019–2024) · IndieWire (2015–2019) · Variety (2011–2015)
★ Awards & Memberships
Los Angeles Film Critics Association member · National Society of Film Critics member · LACMA Critic-in-Residence (2022)
Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure
LAFCA voting member; my Oscar/Globe predictions reflect my voting. I do not accept studio-funded travel. I recuse from reviews of films I have prior consulting relationships with.
Bylines
Stories by Marcus Cole
4 published
Review
Slow Horses Season 4 Review: Gary Oldman Is Having a Blast
The Apple TV+ spy show keeps getting better.
May 22, 2026
News
Netflix Reports 277M Subscribers, Crackdown Pays Off
Netflix's Q1 2025 earnings show 277 million paid subscribers globally. The password-sharing crackdown continues to drive growth.
May 22, 2026
News
Pedro Pascal Joins Marvel’s The Fantastic Four
Pedro Pascal has been officially cast as Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) in Marvel Studios' *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, releasing…
May 22, 2026
How We Rate
Marcus Cole follows the public Wise Score methodology.
Every score combines four pillars: visuals, story, acting, and rewatch value. Read the full criteria.
Ratings CriteriaTip the Critic
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marcus@thedigitalwise.comBy the numbers
Marcus Cole at TheDigitalWise
4
Stories Published
13
Years in Industry
May 2026
First Story
5
Expertise Areas
Top categories covered
FAQ
About Marcus Cole
- Who is Marcus Cole?
-
Hollywood Editor. Covers studio films, awards season, US box office, and the festival circuit. Formerly The Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire, and Variety.
- What does Marcus Cole cover?
-
Hollywood studio films, awards season (Oscars, Golden Globes, Critics Choice), US box office, Sundance, TIFF, Telluride
- How can I contact Marcus Cole?
-
Email Marcus Cole directly at marcus@thedigitalwise.com or on X/Twitter at MarcusColeLA.
- How is Marcus Cole qualified to review films?
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Marcus Cole holds MFA Film Studies, USC School of Cinematic Arts · BA Journalism, Northwestern Medill. Prior experience: The Hollywood Reporter (2019–2024) · IndieWire (2015–2019) · Variety (2011–2015).
- Does Marcus Cole receive payment from studios or streamers?
-
No. Marcus Cole is on salary at TheDigitalWise and has no commercial relationship with studios, streamers, or talent. Every conflict-of-interest disclosure is published on this profile.
- How do I subscribe to Marcus Cole's latest reviews?
-
Subscribe to The Morning Brief and you will get the desk's newest reviews — including Marcus Cole's — three times a week. Free, no spam.