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FrightFest · 2023

FrightFest 2023

Halloween

Films screening at the festival's special two day Halloween event.

Programme

9 films · 4 reviews

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Blue Light

Seven childhood friends excitedly embark on a road trip in an old RV to the coolest underground music festival out there – Blue Light. When they break down on an isolated road, they soon realise something eerie and unworldly is hiding in the woods. Their nightmare journey to hell has begun from which there is no U-turn. Will they find the courage to fight and survive?

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Andy Fickman; Stars: Bella DeLong, Amber Janea, Daryl Tofa, Ana Zambrana)

The Drowned (The Waterhouse)

Review preview for The Drowned

Calton makes a good lead, finding a vulnerable side to Eric’s character despite his Herculean feats.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
After stealing a priceless painting, three men arrive at a secluded safe house by the sea to discover their fourth accomplice missing. Was one of them responsible, or is there a more sinister presence lurking at the water's edge?

(Country: UK; Year: 2024; Director: Samuel Clemens; Writer: Samuel Clemens; Stars: Lara Lemon, Corrinne Wicks, Michelangelo Fortuzzi, Sandrine Salyères, Lily Catalifo)

Full review See: Interview with Samuel Clemens about The Waterhouse

Eldritch USA

After a tragic accident befalls his family, a man seeks help from a backwoods cult whose members don't quite know what they're doing and make an unfortunate mistake.

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Ryan Smith, Tyler Foreman; Writer: Ryan Smith; Stars: Graham Weldin, Andy Phinney, Cameron Perry, Aline O'Neill)

He Never Left

After hearing strange noises coming from an adjoining motel room, a federal fugitive and his girlfriend inadvertently become targets of the notorious 'Pale Face' killer, whose legend has consumed and haunted the local community for decades.

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: James Morris; Writer: James Morris, Michael Ballif; Stars: Colin Cunningham, James Morris, Charla Bocchicchio, David E McMahon, Alicia Oberle Farmer)

Hood Witch

Review preview for Hood Witch

It’s the acting that carries it, and naturally Farahani, one of the finest talents of her generation, does not disappoint.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
A woman earns a living by smuggling exotic animals and illegal goods, developing a mobile app that links users with mystical marabout healers, but one of the user's consultations takes a tragic turn, preciptitaing a violent backlash.

(Country: Iran, France; Year: 2023; Director: Saïd Belktibia; Writer: Saïd Belktibia, Louis Penicaut; Stars: Golshifteh Farahani, Denis Lavant, Jérémy Ferrari, Mathieu Espagnet)

Full review

The Last Video Store

After a beachside video rental store is robbed, the owner installs security cameras store wide. Unbeknownst to the staff, he uses them to capture an emerging love story unfold between two of his young employees - one of whom has an ex with a dark past.

(Country: Australia; Year: 2023; Director: Brian Vining; Writer: Brian Vining; Stars: Jacki Simmons, Reece Madam, Jordan Abbey-Young, Phillip Avalon, Emily Rowbottom)

Lovely, Dark, And Deep

Review preview for Lovely, Dark, And Deep

Campbell is perfectly cast. She has sufficient physicality to make one believe that she could cope with this demanding job, yet there’s a nerviness about her whole body reminiscent of prey animals.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
A new back-country ranger travels alone through the dangerous wilderness, hoping to uncover the origins of a tragedy which has haunted her since she was a child.

(Country: Portugal; Year: 2023; Director: Teresa Sutherland; Writer: Teresa Sutherland; Stars: Georgina Campbell, Nick Blood, Wai Ching Ho, Edgar Morais, Ana Sofia Martins, Paul S Tracey, Soren Hellerup)

Full review See: Interview with Teresa Sutherland about Lovely, Dark, And Deep

Maria

Maria Black is the biggest porn star in 2024. When she falls into a coma after a car crash, her medical outlook is dim. Then her body disappears from the hospital. Three years later, it seems Maria has been reborn and is anxious to resume her XXX film career. Director Dario George wants her to appear in his new production but when she tragically dies mid-shoot, he hatches a shocking plan to cover up the accident. However, Maria is now part of The Metropolis Project and is out for revenge

(Country: Argentina; Year: 2023; Director: Gabriel Grieco, Nicanor Loreti; Writer: Nicanor Loreti; Stars: Sofía Gala Castiglione, Malena Sánchez, Ezequiel Rodríguez, Magui Bravi, Daria Panchenko)

See: Interview with Gabriel Grieco and Nicanor Loreti about Maria

Superposition

Review preview for Superposition

Whilst there is an element of science fiction here, co-writer/director Karoline Lyngbye focuses on the psychological possibilities that it opens up.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
A couple and their young son choose to move to a remote cabin in the Danish Forest for an experiment in off-grid living, with no human contact for a year. When they encounter another family in the forest, identical to themselves in almost every way, the fabric of their identities faces a test.

(Country: Denmark; Year: 2023; Director: Karoline Lyngbye; Writer: Karoline Lyngbye)

Full review See: Interview with Karoline Lyngbye about Superposition