Spoiler Free Reviews: Matapanki, The Thing Inside Her, and Paper Cuts (Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2026)
Matapanki (Chile, 2026) Official synopsis A punk kid gets superpowers from alcohol and tries to reshape society, but a violent error sparks global tensions with him at the center. Review “Punk’s not dead!” goes the battle cry, and writer/director Diego Fuentes follows that spirit with his action comedy/fantasy feature Matapanki. Punk rock fan Ricardo (Ramón Gálvez) accidentally discovers a bottle of the titular fictitious drink and finds that ingesting the beverage gives him superpowers. With nods to Spider-Man, the film takes him on an origin-story journey where he is reluctant to use his powers despite his friends’ encouragement. Naturally, nefarious forces are at work, which Fuentes uses to skewer local and international political figures and movements. He also uses colorful animation and drawing effects to complement Cinematographer Vicente Correa’s impressive black-and-white work. Fueled with punk soul, a driving soundtrack, and all-in performances, Matapanki is a unique slice of genre-cinema fare. The Thing Inside Her (Canada, 2026) Official synopsis After removing
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