CategoryEvents
Horror events, screenings and experiences — premieres, festivals and one-night-only shows.
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Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsThrillerTrailers
Red Rooms (Les chambres rouges; Canada, 2023) Pascal Plante’s French-language Canadian chiller Red Rooms deftly combines character study, psychological thriller, and courtroom drama. The film follows the obsession of two women with a serial killer suspect on trial for the gruesome murders of three teenage girls, which were broadcast for pay on the titular dark web outlet. Kelly-Anne (Juliette Gariépy in a riveting performance) is a fashion model who sits in on the trial of accused murderer Ludovic Chevalier (Maxwell McCabe-Lokos) at the Superior Court of Quebec. Sitting near her is Clementine (Laurie Babin), a young woman also obsessed with Chevalier, believing that he is innocent and being framed. The pair are accused of being groupies by the mother of a victim. Kelly-Anne is aloof and quiet, and she lets the talkative out-of-towner Clementine stay with her in her high-rise apartment. Kelly-Anne is also something of an expert on the internet, making large sums of money playing online poker and
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Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviews
Following is a roundup of seven of the short films that screened at San Francisco’s Unnamed Footage Festival 2024, shot mostly in found footage or verité styles. Homebody Home surveillance cameras provide the footage for writer/director Andrew J. Paulsen’s Homebody, in which Hannah (McKenzie Jo Frazer) lives in fear of a hooded man who stands outside her house. The proceedings are a bit predictable, but the execution of the plot is well done. Extreme Gravity (Extrema gravedad) Writer/director Lorenzo Ayuso’s darkly comic Spanish short Extreme Gravity focuses on a suicidal man whose recording of his farewell video is interrupted by a naked stranger who appears on his windowsill. Irreverent humor is the order of the day with this one, with Álvaro Márquez giving a fine performance as the suicidal individual and David Blanka providing fine voice acting support. Kelly Brazilian short Kelly finds a man (writer/director Luiz Lapin) building a new plastic-bag–headed companion. This short shocker is a true creepfest,
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsSci-Fi
The Becomers (2024) Writer/director Zach Clark’s science-fiction comedy The Becomers is one of the more unique offerings in the subgenre of alien-body-snatchers cinema. It follows the travails of two genderless extraterrestrial lovers who have left their home planet for hopefully better lives on Earth. They must inhabit human bodies, with plenty of reasons to change them, as they try to grasp the language, mannerisms, and mindsets of Americans. The film touches on a variety of current social issues in the post-pandemic United States while avoiding becoming overly didactic, and the cast members — led by Molly Plunk, Mike Lopez, and Keith Kelly — give earnest performances that give the proceedings a grounded yet humorous feel. Bonus points from me for the fact that the film is narrated by Russell Mael, vocalist for one of my all-time favorite rock bands, Sparks. Omen (Augure; Belgium/The Democratic Republic of Congo/Netherlands/Germany/France/South Africa, 2023) Omen deals in magical realism and African mysticism, with horror-adjacent elements
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviews
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (Vampire humaniste cherche suicidaire consentant; Canada, 2023) What an absolute blast Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person is! Director Ariane Louis-Seize’s French language coming-of-age vampire dramedy is a true charmer. Sasha (Sara Montpetit) is a reluctant teen vampire who suffers from adverse reactions when she witnesses humans being physically harmed. Her family members do their best to wean her off of blood bags and start her biting people. Matters become even more complicated when she meets bullied teen Paul (Félix-Antoine Bénard) at an anonymous meeting for depressed and suicidal individuals. Paul is looking for a meaningful way to end his life, and sees that in Sasha’s becoming a true, people-biting vampire. Louis-Seize, who cowrote the screenplay with Christine Doyon, has crafted a touching, whimsical feature that examines the potential humanity in an undead being, gently and thoughtfully focusing on two characters trying to find their way in this world — and in Paul’s case,
Continue reading →
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DocumentariesEventsFilm FestivalsForeignMoviesNewsShort FilmsThriller
Horror buffs and genre-film fans of all stripes: The Calgary Underground Film Festival has just released its lineup for its 2024 edition! There’s fright fare galore, from slashers (In a Violent Place; The Last Video Store) to monster movies (Kryptic; Infested) to supernatural chillers (Oddity; The Vourdalak), and beyond. Following is the official press announcement. The Calgary Underground Film Festival has announced the full lineup of films playing the 21st Festival, from April 18-28, 2024 at Globe Cinema. On-scale with the expanded programming of last year’s 20th Anniversary Festival, the largest in the organization’s history, CUFF 2024 will show 41 feature films, 37 shorts, and host 8 special events over 11 days. From horror and sci-fi to indie comedies and music docs, the festival showcases diverse programming of films that defy convention. CUFF is Western Canada’s largest genre film festival, internationally recognized as a top horror film festival on the circuit, and one of the most anticipated events for local
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsShudder
Arachnophobes, unless you are approved for serious exposure therapy from your medical or psychological professional, you will almost surely want to avoid director Sébastien Vanicek’s Infested (Vermines; France/U.S., 2023). But for everyone who loves a good — and in this case I mean really good — spider attack horror movie, you will absolutely want to see the film. Kaleb (Théo Christine), a twentysomething man trying to carve out a life for himself in a world that frustrates that goal at many a turn, lives with his sister (Lisa Nyarko) in an apartment that has seen better days and requires constant upkeep, which they inherited from from their late mother. The siblings have a strained relationship, and Kaleb also keeps other people at a distance, preferring to spend time with the exotic reptiles and bugs that he collects, though he considers the other building tenants to be more like family than merely neighbors. After Kaleb purchases a spider — the likes
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsThriller
Sleep (South Korea, 2023) A sleepwalking man becomes a danger to his family in writer/director Jason Yu’s eerie feature Sleep. HyunSu (Lee SunKyun) and SooJin (Jung YuMi) are a married couple expecting their first child. HyunSu begins having bouts of somnambulism that become increasingly disturbing, and when SooJin suspects supernatural influence, tension between the spouses increases. Lee and Jung give solid performances as the troubled couple, and Yu ratchets up the tension well, leading to a highly satisfying third act. The “love conquers all” element is a bit on the nose, but overall the film is a gripping one that fans of occult horror should find well worth a watch. Strange Kindness (U.S., 2024) Writer/director Joseph Mault’s Cape Cod-set thriller Strange Kindness is a meditative feature with political commentary on violence in the United States woven in with family trauma drama. Rose (Leanne McLaughlin) is a young woman helping her reclusive aunt Chris (Deirdre Madigan) with home treatments for Chris’s
Continue reading →
EventsGamingNewsTrailers
ESDigital Games and Storm in a Teacup are gearing up to showcase their highly anticipated title, Steel Seed, at GDC Play 2024. Ahead of GDC, watch the new game trailer. This thrilling new stealth action-adventure game for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S promises a gripping journey into a desolate future. A World on the Brink: Steel Seed plunges players into a dark sci-fi world ravaged by climate change. Humanity teeters on the edge of extinction, and the fate of the species rests on the shoulders of Zoe, a determined protagonist, and her loyal drone companion, KOBY. Oleg Kudishov, CEO of ESDigital Games, acknowledges the talent behind the game, stating, “We are excited to be partnering with industry veteran Carlo Ivo Alimo Bianchi and his team.” A Glimpse into the Depths: GDC Play attendees will be among the first to experience firsthand Steel Seed‘s captivating gameplay. The demo promises to unveil the depths of the hostile underground facility Zoe
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsShort Films
Apotemnofilia The titular condition is the desire of amputation for a healthy limb, and writer/director Jano Pita’s Spanish horror short Apotemnofilia finds actress Clara (Lucía Azcoitía) dealing with that as her highly anticipated post-pregnancy comeback play is about to begin. The film addresses Clara’s mental breakdown through graphic displays of body horror elements made with impressive, disturbing practical effects work. Azcoitía gives a fittingly unsettling performance, with Pita delivering a shocking work infused with some dark humor. Lullaby U.K. slow-burn chiller Lullaby from writer/director Chi Thai examines the fragile mental state of a female refugee (Jane Le). She suffered a devastating loss that she finds herself reliving, with those around her providing no comfort or support. Thai uses ever-increasing dread in favor of jump scares and gore, crafting a mesmerizing short that packs a highly disturbing reveal. The Bleacher If you have ever wondered what happened to socks you lost after doing laundry, the animated short The Bleacher from cowriters/codirectors
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsThriller
Writer/director Annick Blank’s French-language Canadian thriller Hunting Daze blends harshly realistic scenarios with dizzying drug-trip sequences. The result is a fascinating, often disturbing look at toxic masculinity. Sex worker Nina (Nahéma Ricci), after performing for a bachelor party in very rural Quebec, finds herself abandoning the rest of her group in anger and frustration. She asks Kevin (Frédéric Millaire-Zouvi), one of the party members, if she can stay there until a ride can be arranged for her. The group votes that to do so, she must pass some rites and become part of their self-professed wolf pack. Rather than turning into the rape revenge thriller that some might expect, Nina finds herself in no such danger from the group, which parties hard before and after hunting. Another stranger — African man Doudos (Noubi Ndiaye) — shows up, adding another element of “The Other” to the group dynamics, as well as the suspense. When a dangerous accident occurs, paranoia and tension
Continue reading →
More from Events
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsThrillerTrailers
Red Rooms (Les chambres rouges; Canada, 2023) Pascal Plante’s French-language Canadian chiller Red Rooms deftly combines character study, psychological thriller, and courtroom drama. The film follows the obsession of two women with a serial killer suspect on trial for the gruesome murders of three teenage girls, which were broadcast for pay on the titular dark web outlet. Kelly-Anne (Juliette Gariépy in a riveting performance) is a fashion model who sits in on the trial of accused murderer Ludovic Chevalier (Maxwell McCabe-Lokos) at the Superior Court of Quebec. Sitting near her is Clementine (Laurie Babin), a young woman also obsessed with Chevalier, believing that he is innocent and being framed. The pair are accused of being groupies by the mother of a victim. Kelly-Anne is aloof and quiet, and she lets the talkative out-of-towner Clementine stay with her in her high-rise apartment. Kelly-Anne is also something of an expert on the internet, making large sums of money playing online poker and
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviews
Following is a roundup of seven of the short films that screened at San Francisco’s Unnamed Footage Festival 2024, shot mostly in found footage or verité styles. Homebody Home surveillance cameras provide the footage for writer/director Andrew J. Paulsen’s Homebody, in which Hannah (McKenzie Jo Frazer) lives in fear of a hooded man who stands outside her house. The proceedings are a bit predictable, but the execution of the plot is well done. Extreme Gravity (Extrema gravedad) Writer/director Lorenzo Ayuso’s darkly comic Spanish short Extreme Gravity focuses on a suicidal man whose recording of his farewell video is interrupted by a naked stranger who appears on his windowsill. Irreverent humor is the order of the day with this one, with Álvaro Márquez giving a fine performance as the suicidal individual and David Blanka providing fine voice acting support. Kelly Brazilian short Kelly finds a man (writer/director Luiz Lapin) building a new plastic-bag–headed companion. This short shocker is a true creepfest,
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsSci-Fi
The Becomers (2024) Writer/director Zach Clark’s science-fiction comedy The Becomers is one of the more unique offerings in the subgenre of alien-body-snatchers cinema. It follows the travails of two genderless extraterrestrial lovers who have left their home planet for hopefully better lives on Earth. They must inhabit human bodies, with plenty of reasons to change them, as they try to grasp the language, mannerisms, and mindsets of Americans. The film touches on a variety of current social issues in the post-pandemic United States while avoiding becoming overly didactic, and the cast members — led by Molly Plunk, Mike Lopez, and Keith Kelly — give earnest performances that give the proceedings a grounded yet humorous feel. Bonus points from me for the fact that the film is narrated by Russell Mael, vocalist for one of my all-time favorite rock bands, Sparks. Omen (Augure; Belgium/The Democratic Republic of Congo/Netherlands/Germany/France/South Africa, 2023) Omen deals in magical realism and African mysticism, with horror-adjacent elements
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviews
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (Vampire humaniste cherche suicidaire consentant; Canada, 2023) What an absolute blast Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person is! Director Ariane Louis-Seize’s French language coming-of-age vampire dramedy is a true charmer. Sasha (Sara Montpetit) is a reluctant teen vampire who suffers from adverse reactions when she witnesses humans being physically harmed. Her family members do their best to wean her off of blood bags and start her biting people. Matters become even more complicated when she meets bullied teen Paul (Félix-Antoine Bénard) at an anonymous meeting for depressed and suicidal individuals. Paul is looking for a meaningful way to end his life, and sees that in Sasha’s becoming a true, people-biting vampire. Louis-Seize, who cowrote the screenplay with Christine Doyon, has crafted a touching, whimsical feature that examines the potential humanity in an undead being, gently and thoughtfully focusing on two characters trying to find their way in this world — and in Paul’s case,
Continue reading →
DocumentariesEventsFilm FestivalsForeignMoviesNewsShort FilmsThriller
Horror buffs and genre-film fans of all stripes: The Calgary Underground Film Festival has just released its lineup for its 2024 edition! There’s fright fare galore, from slashers (In a Violent Place; The Last Video Store) to monster movies (Kryptic; Infested) to supernatural chillers (Oddity; The Vourdalak), and beyond. Following is the official press announcement. The Calgary Underground Film Festival has announced the full lineup of films playing the 21st Festival, from April 18-28, 2024 at Globe Cinema. On-scale with the expanded programming of last year’s 20th Anniversary Festival, the largest in the organization’s history, CUFF 2024 will show 41 feature films, 37 shorts, and host 8 special events over 11 days. From horror and sci-fi to indie comedies and music docs, the festival showcases diverse programming of films that defy convention. CUFF is Western Canada’s largest genre film festival, internationally recognized as a top horror film festival on the circuit, and one of the most anticipated events for local
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsShudder
Arachnophobes, unless you are approved for serious exposure therapy from your medical or psychological professional, you will almost surely want to avoid director Sébastien Vanicek’s Infested (Vermines; France/U.S., 2023). But for everyone who loves a good — and in this case I mean really good — spider attack horror movie, you will absolutely want to see the film. Kaleb (Théo Christine), a twentysomething man trying to carve out a life for himself in a world that frustrates that goal at many a turn, lives with his sister (Lisa Nyarko) in an apartment that has seen better days and requires constant upkeep, which they inherited from from their late mother. The siblings have a strained relationship, and Kaleb also keeps other people at a distance, preferring to spend time with the exotic reptiles and bugs that he collects, though he considers the other building tenants to be more like family than merely neighbors. After Kaleb purchases a spider — the likes
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsThriller
Sleep (South Korea, 2023) A sleepwalking man becomes a danger to his family in writer/director Jason Yu’s eerie feature Sleep. HyunSu (Lee SunKyun) and SooJin (Jung YuMi) are a married couple expecting their first child. HyunSu begins having bouts of somnambulism that become increasingly disturbing, and when SooJin suspects supernatural influence, tension between the spouses increases. Lee and Jung give solid performances as the troubled couple, and Yu ratchets up the tension well, leading to a highly satisfying third act. The “love conquers all” element is a bit on the nose, but overall the film is a gripping one that fans of occult horror should find well worth a watch. Strange Kindness (U.S., 2024) Writer/director Joseph Mault’s Cape Cod-set thriller Strange Kindness is a meditative feature with political commentary on violence in the United States woven in with family trauma drama. Rose (Leanne McLaughlin) is a young woman helping her reclusive aunt Chris (Deirdre Madigan) with home treatments for Chris’s
Continue reading →
EventsGamingNewsTrailers
ESDigital Games and Storm in a Teacup are gearing up to showcase their highly anticipated title, Steel Seed, at GDC Play 2024. Ahead of GDC, watch the new game trailer. This thrilling new stealth action-adventure game for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S promises a gripping journey into a desolate future. A World on the Brink: Steel Seed plunges players into a dark sci-fi world ravaged by climate change. Humanity teeters on the edge of extinction, and the fate of the species rests on the shoulders of Zoe, a determined protagonist, and her loyal drone companion, KOBY. Oleg Kudishov, CEO of ESDigital Games, acknowledges the talent behind the game, stating, “We are excited to be partnering with industry veteran Carlo Ivo Alimo Bianchi and his team.” A Glimpse into the Depths: GDC Play attendees will be among the first to experience firsthand Steel Seed‘s captivating gameplay. The demo promises to unveil the depths of the hostile underground facility Zoe
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsShort Films
Apotemnofilia The titular condition is the desire of amputation for a healthy limb, and writer/director Jano Pita’s Spanish horror short Apotemnofilia finds actress Clara (Lucía Azcoitía) dealing with that as her highly anticipated post-pregnancy comeback play is about to begin. The film addresses Clara’s mental breakdown through graphic displays of body horror elements made with impressive, disturbing practical effects work. Azcoitía gives a fittingly unsettling performance, with Pita delivering a shocking work infused with some dark humor. Lullaby U.K. slow-burn chiller Lullaby from writer/director Chi Thai examines the fragile mental state of a female refugee (Jane Le). She suffered a devastating loss that she finds herself reliving, with those around her providing no comfort or support. Thai uses ever-increasing dread in favor of jump scares and gore, crafting a mesmerizing short that packs a highly disturbing reveal. The Bleacher If you have ever wondered what happened to socks you lost after doing laundry, the animated short The Bleacher from cowriters/codirectors
Continue reading →
Film FestivalsForeignMoviesReviewsThriller
Writer/director Annick Blank’s French-language Canadian thriller Hunting Daze blends harshly realistic scenarios with dizzying drug-trip sequences. The result is a fascinating, often disturbing look at toxic masculinity. Sex worker Nina (Nahéma Ricci), after performing for a bachelor party in very rural Quebec, finds herself abandoning the rest of her group in anger and frustration. She asks Kevin (Frédéric Millaire-Zouvi), one of the party members, if she can stay there until a ride can be arranged for her. The group votes that to do so, she must pass some rites and become part of their self-professed wolf pack. Rather than turning into the rape revenge thriller that some might expect, Nina finds herself in no such danger from the group, which parties hard before and after hunting. Another stranger — African man Doudos (Noubi Ndiaye) — shows up, adding another element of “The Other” to the group dynamics, as well as the suspense. When a dangerous accident occurs, paranoia and tension
Continue reading →
