★★★★ An eerie gothic Spanish treat, Mal de Ojo completely took me by surprise. Dripping in style and dark fairy tale energy, the film follows the nightmarish story of thirteen-year-old Nala (Paola Miguel). Feeling especially neglected in the wake of her younger sister Luna’s crippling health conditions, Nala is an angsty teen who just wants … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2022: Mal de Ojo
Fantastic Fest 2021 Wrap Up
2021's Fantastic Fest allowed virtual access this year, and thankfully there was an interesting crop of often insanely bizarre, sometimes successful genre filmmaking. Anything not awarded a full written article is listed here, along with links to longer reviews when available. Read on for our exclusive site coverage! Films ALONE WITH YOU Confining any film … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021 Wrap Up
Fantastic Fest 2021: She Will
★★★★ Surrealist “me too” horror fueled by a killer Alice Krige performance, She Will may not always be successful, but it is one hell of a wild ride. What would one do if one had the power to exact revenge on injustices through the power of their dreams? That is the central concept behind this … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021: She Will
Fantastic Fest 2021: Slumber Party Massacre
★★★ The Driller Killer finally makes his triumphant return in the campy and subversive horror remake, Slumber Party Massacre. Having seen the original trilogy countless times (and yes, even enduring the semi-sequel Cheerleader Massacre), my excitement level for this SYFY film was moderately high. I would not call any of the original films some holy … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021: Slumber Party Massacre
Fantastic Fest 2021: V/H/S/94
★★★ The fourth film in a series carries with it an automatic pre-established set of expectations. The first two V/H/S films represent an epically creepy high for found footage horror, while the third (2014’s V/H/S Viral) I personally hated. This new entry, titled V/H/S/94, takes a page out of the nostalgia textbook by setting everything … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021: V/H/S/94
Fantastic Fest 2021: The Trip
★★★★ Described by many as Tom Wirkola’s Norwegian answer to Quentin Tarantino, Fantastic Fest selection The Trip is mostly a bonkers good time. It took me a tad too long to get on this film’s wavelength, but when I did, I was sucked in by the energy and jet-black humor. I’ve only seen one other … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021: The Trip
Fantastic Fest 2021: Homebound
★★★ As our first film watched from 2021’s Fantastic Fest selections, Homebound is a delightfully strange, masterfully-scored slice of thriller heaven. A simplistic setup is yet another shining example that pared-down, intimate, character-driven horror can reap the tastiest results. Holly (Aisling Loftus) and Richard (Tom Goodman-Hill) are headed to the idyllic mansion of Richard’s ex-wife, … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021: Homebound
Fantastic Fest 2021: The Found Footage Phenomenon
★★★★ The found footage subgenre, popularized by such milestone horror films as The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, finally gets a much-needed expansive documentary! The Found Footage Phenomenon charts the origins of this increasingly popular subgenre of horror. Talking head interviews with plentiful horror directors (including Rob Savage, Oren Peli, and more), surprising trends, … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021: The Found Footage Phenomenon
Fantastic Fest 2021: There’s Someone Inside Your House
★★★★★ It is official: my weak spot is 90s-style horror slashers. On the heels of the excellent Fear Street trilogy, Netflix delivers a fourth slasher this year that I loved from start to finish. The new horror film from director Patrick Brice (the brilliant found-footage horror Creep) and Shazam screenwriter Henry Gayden is brimming with … Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2021: There’s Someone Inside Your House