Tribeca Festival has a tantalizing, sure-to-be-terrifying array of horror movies, thrillers, and related genre offerings slated for this year’s Midnight section of the renowned fest, which takes place June 8–19, 2022 in New York City. Along with the Midnight section, the TribecXploitation series offers three NYC-shot grindhouse classics on the big screen, presented by their directors. Following are brief descriptions of each film, followed by my thoughts in italics.
Midnight
Attachment
Maja and Leah’s new relationship is interrupted when mysterious things start happening in their London flat. It seems that Leah’s disapproving mother, who lives downstairs, is using Jewish folklore to come between them.
Folk horror is red hot at the moment, and religious horror is always a popular subgenre. It sounds as though this slice of Danish fear fare may have elements of both, and the acting is said to be particularly strong.
The Black Phone
Locked in a soundproof basement by a masked child killer, a teenage boy finds the possibility of hope through an unexpected and supernatural lifeline: a telephone on which he receives motivational calls from the killer’s past victims.
From the directing/writing team that brought us the incredible Sinister comes this 1970s-set chiller that has been getting terrific buzz on its film festival run. Based on a short story by Joe Hill, this one sounds like can’t-miss horror cinema.
Family Dinner
Overweight and insecure, Simi spends Easter weekend with her famous nutritionist aunt. The hope is that it’ll help her get on a healthier track, but as the aunt’s family’s icy dynamics and an increasingly malevolent atmosphere leave Simi feeling uneasy, weight isn’t the only thing she’s about to lose.
I haven’t heard much yet about this Austrian shocker, but who likes spoilers, anyway? If it’s on Tribeca’s schedule, it’s worth checking out!
Huesera
Valeria has long dreamed about becoming a mother. After learning that she’s pregnant, she expects to feel happy, yet something’s off. Nightmarish visions and an unshakeable paranoia have her questioning what she wants, and an ancient evil spirit may be the cause.
Pregnancy horror is a subgenre that never gets old, even when, and especially when, it is combined with diabolical activity. Count me in for this Peruvian/Mexican fright-fare feature.
A Wounded Fawn
It’s the perfect plan: A serial killer brings an unsuspecting new victim on a weekend getaway to add another body to his ever-growing count. She’s buying into his faux charms, and he’s eagerly lusting for blood. What could possibly go wrong?
Said to be inspired by surrealist art and Greek mythology — and I’m a big fan of both — early word has A Wounded Fawn sounding like a wild ride, and one that I’m ready to take!
Midnight TribecXploitation
TribecXploitation: Basket Case
The debut gutter-trash symphony from Frank Henenlotter (Brain Damage, Frankenhooker), stealthily filmed in the toilet bowls of Times Square and chock-full of demented fury.
From the heady days of midnight cult movies comes this unforgettable creature feature, arguably one of the three most famous of that subgenre of film along with The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Eraserhead. Once you see Belial, you’ll never forget him! Director Frank Henenlotter will be on hand for this screening.
TribecXploitation: Ms .45
Eerie and unforgettable, Ms. 45 is an essential snapshot of New York City in the early 1980s from Abel Ferrara (Driller Killer, The Addiction)—one of the greatest and most unique living filmmakers on the planet.
I fell in love with Ms. 45 the first time I saw it, and it still holds a high place on my list of all-time favorite cult movies decades later. Zoë Lund is remarkable in this unflinching thriller. Ferrara will appear in person for this screening.
TribecXploitation: Tenement
The sordid story of a South Bronx apartment building ruled by a gang of crazed, junkie punks.
Somehow, I have yet to see Tenement, but it sounds right up my alley — which thankfully isn’t located very close to the building in this film. Director Roberta Findlay will present this thriller.
For more information, visit https://tribecafilm.com/festival/film/midnight.
