If you’re a fan of the kind of horror that sticks to your ribs and keeps you up at night, you need to clear your schedule for the Romford Horror Film Festival. This year, the fest is doubling down on its reputation for showcasing bold work by featuring two standout British films: Black Chariot and Mr. Whispers.
Both movies are coming out of the gate with a lot of buzz, and they’re definitely not your typical jump-scare fests. Here is the lowdown on why these two should be on your radar.
Black Chariot: A Masterclass in Suspense
Directed by Lawrie Brewster, Black Chariot is a total pivot for the British Horror Studio. It’s a character-driven thriller that hits like a punch to the gut. Instead of relying on CGI monsters, it focuses on building a sense of dread that’s so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Think old-school Film Noir meets Alfred Hitchcock, but with a nasty, modern edge. It’s described as “beautiful and deeply tragic,” which means it will break your heart before it scares the life out of you.
It features a killer lineup including Laurence R. Harvey and Megan Tremethick, alongside Novarro Ramon, Dorian Todd, and Sam McMillan.
Catch it Sunday, Feb 22nd at 6:50 PM. Director Lawrie Brewster will introduce it, and there will be a Q&A with the cast and crew afterward.
Mr. Whispers: VHS Nostalgia Meets Pure Dread
If you still have a soft spot for The Blair Witch Project, Mr. Whispers is going to be your new obsession. This is a “found footage” horror documentary that leans heavily into that grainy, unsettling 1990s VHS aesthetic, mixed with a healthy dose of British Gothic atmosphere.
In the film, a group of student investigators heads to an abandoned cinema (already a big “nope” from me) to dig into the truth behind a string of child disappearances from decades ago. As you can guess, their academic project goes off the rails very, very quickly.
This is a slow-burn that focuses on “suggestion” rather than showing everything at once. It’s the first horror feature from The B-Team Studio, led by Paul William Kelly and Megan Tremethick.
Earlier on Sunday, Feb 22nd at 4:20 PM. Directors Dorian Todd and Oliver Revie will introduce the film and stay for a Q&A.
Why These Two Matter
British horror is having a profound moment right now, and these two films represent the best of it. Whether you want the sleek, suspenseful drama of Black Chariot or the raw, suffocating atmosphere of Mr. Whispers, Sunday at Romford is looking like a high-water mark for indie genre cinema.
