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Karlovy Vary International Film Festival · 2025

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2025

Afterhours

Programme

7 films · 6 reviews

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Dangerous Animals

Review preview for Dangerous Animals

There’s something here that’s distinctive and personal and altogether too much fun.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
When Zephyr, a rebellious surfer, is abducted by a shark-obsessed serial killer and held captive on his boat, she must figure out how to escape.

(Country: Australia; Year: 2025; Director: Sean Byrne; Writer: Nick Lepard; Stars: Hassie Harrison, Jai Courtney, Josh Heuston, Rob Carlton, Ella Newton, James Munn, Jon Quested, Michael Goldman, Liam Greinke, Ryland Pearson-McManus, Teah Fraser, Sean Richard, Jess Tredinnick)

Full review See: Interview with Sean Byrne about Dangerous Animals

Dead Lover

Review preview for Dead Lover

The expressionist feeling of early 20th century cinema is further enhanced by the specific colour scheme, resembling a very early version of Technicolor, while the sound recalls that of the early sound films.

Marko Stojiljkovic · 3.5 out of 5
A lonely gravedigger who stinks of corpses finally meets her dream man, but their whirlwind affair is cut short when he tragically drowns at sea. Grief-stricken, she goes to morbid lengths to resurrect him through madcap scientific experiments, resulting in grave consequences and unlikely love.

(Country: Canada; Year: 2025; Director: Grace Glowicki; Writer: Grace Glowicki, Ben Petrie; Stars: Grace Glowicki, Leah Doz, Ben Petrie, Lowen Morrow)

Full review

Fucktoys

Review preview for Fucktoys

Any number of films try to sell themselves on inviting us to ogle outsiders like these. The difference with Fucktoys is that it’s made by people who actually get it.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
A bubblegum grindhouse adventure through sunny and romantic Trashtown, USA.

(Country: US; Year: 2025; Director: Annapurna Sriram; Writer: Annapurna Sriram; Stars: Annapurna Sriram, Sadie Scott, Francois Arnaud, Damian Young, Big Freedia, Brandon Flynn, Lorrie Odom, Jowin Batoon, Tamika Lawrence, Arianna Ortiz)

Full review See: Interview with Annapurna Sriram about Fucktoys

Hellraiser

Review preview for Hellraiser

Though it's no longer likely to shock horror audiences, Hellraiser remains highly watchable, and there is no doubting its importance in the history of cinema.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
An unfaithful wife faces demonic horrors after her dead lover escapes from Hell.

(Country: UK; Year: 1987; Director: Clive Barker; Writer: Clive Barker; Stars: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Sean Chapman)

Full review See: Interview with Stuart Conran about Hellraiser

Mr. Vampire (Geung See Sin Sang, Pan Vampýr)

The planned reburial of a town elder goes awry as the corpse resurrects into a hopping, bloodthirsty vampire, targeting everyone responsible for digging the grave. A Taoist Priest and his two disciples attempt to stop the terror.

(Country: Hong Kong; Year: 1985; Director: Ricky Lau; Writer: Barry Wong, Szeto Cheuk-hon; Stars: Ching-Ying Lam, Siu-Ho Chin, Ricky Hui, Moon Lee, Billy Lau, Siu-Fung Wong)

Point Break

Review preview for Point Break

As exciting as it is good-looking.

Stephen Carty · 3.5 out of 5
FBI agent goes undercover in a surfer community to try to unmask a group of bank robbers.

(Country: US; Year: 1991; Director: Kathryn Bigelow; Writer: Rick King, W Peter Iliff; Stars: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty, John C McGinley, James LeGros, John Philbin, Bojesse Christopher, Julian Reyes, Daniel Beer)

Full review

Straight Outta Space (Straatcoaches Vs Aliens)

Review preview for Straight Outta Space

It has its moments, and for the most part it’s warm-hearted and likeable enough to make up for the odd mis-step.

Jennie Kermode · 2 out of 5
Two street coaches in a bustling neighborhood face an unexpected crisis when locals transform into bizarre, slimy beings.

(Country: Netherlands; Year: 2025; Director: Michael Middelkoop; Writer: Michael Middelkoop, Daan Bakker, Nico van den Brink; Stars: Oscar Aerts, Rayan Belrhazi Alaoui, Seylan Avci, Evgenia Brendes, Jim Deddes, André Dongelmans, Dien Ben El Hossaien)

Full review