Skip to main content

South by Southwest · 2023

South by Southwest 2023

Midnighters

Programme

8 films · 5 reviews

Jump to a film

Aberrance

When city dwellers Erkhmee and Selenge arrive at an old cabin deep in the Mongolian wilds, a foreboding settles over the couple. Erkhmee's seemingly keen desire to provide a safe and nurturing space for his artistic wife is at odds with the violent actions and mannerisms their quizzical neighbour observes.

(Country: Mongolia; Year: 2022; Director: Baatar Batsukh; Writer: Baatar Batsukh, Byambasuren Ganbat; Stars: Erkhembayar Ganbat, Selenge Chadraabal, Yalalt Namsrai, Oyundary Jamsranjav, Sukhee Ariunbyamba, Bayarsanaa Batchuluun, Badamtsetseg Batmunkh)

Brooklyn 45

Review preview for Brooklyn 45

Viewers can expect to find their sympathies shifting over time, and to disagree as to who deserves sympathy in any given moment.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
Friday, December 27, 1945. Five military veterans gather in the ornate parlour of a Brooklyn brownstone. Best friends since childhood, they’ve reunited to support their troubled host – but when his invitation for cocktails turns into an impromptu séance, the metaphoric ghosts of their past become all-too-literal.

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Ted Geoghegan; Writer: Ted Geoghegan; Stars: Anne Ramsay, Ron E. Rains, Jeremy Holm, Larry Fessenden, Ezra Buzzington, Kristina Klebe)

Full review See: Interview with Ted Geoghegan about Brooklyn 45

Furies

Bi is a Vietnamese country girl who survives a brutal childhood and escapes to the city of Saigon. Bi is recruited by the mysterious Mrs. Lin, and followed Lin to an apartment where she lives with two new friends: the fierce Thanh and the playful Hong. Lin trains them to take down a Saigon crime lord, Hai, who traffics drugs and young women. Lin coaches Bi in the arts of killing and sensuality.

(Country: Vietnam; Year: 2023; Director: Ngo Thanh Van; Writer: Ngo Thanh Van, Aaron Toronto, Uyen Nguyen Nha Ly, Thach Ngoc Nguyen, Nhan Truong Nguyen; Stars: Dong Anh Quynh, Toc Tien, Rima Thanh Vy, Thuan Nguyen, Song Luan, Gi A Nguyen, Phan Thanh Hien)

It Lives Inside

Review preview for It Lives Inside

A superior quality horror film which amply justifies the hype it has attracted on the festival circuit, It Lives Inside is not to be missed.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
Sam, an Indian-American teen, lives in an idyllic suburb with her conservative mother and her assimilated father. Sam’s cultural insecurities grow due to her estranged friend, Tamira, who mysteriously carries around an empty mason jar all the time. In a moment of anger, Sam breaks Tamira’s jar and unleashes an ancient Indian demonic force that kidnaps Tamira.

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Bishal Dutta; Writer: Bishal Dutta, Ashish Mehta; Stars: Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan, Betty Gabriel, Vik Sahay)

Full review See: Interview with Bishal Dutta about It Lives Inside

Late Night With The Devil

Review preview for Late Night With The Devil

It’s Dastmalchian’s light touch which really makes it work.

Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
October 31, 1977. Jack Delroy’s syndicated talk show Night Owls has long been a trusted companion to insomniacs around the country, but a year on from the tragic death of Jack’s wife, ratings have plummeted. Desperate to turn his fortunes around, Jack plans a Halloween special like no other, unaware he is about to unleash evil into the living rooms of America.

(Country: Australia, UAE; Year: 2023; Director: Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes; Writer: Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes; Stars: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Fayssal Bazzi, Ian Bliss, Ingrid Torelli, Rhys Auteri, Josh Quong Tart, Georgina Haig)

Full review

Monolith

Review preview for Monolith

Vesely’s camera directs our attention very effectively and makes use of every aspect of the small set.

Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
Recently disgraced and desperate for a story, a young journalist holes herself up in her parents’ luxurious home and gets to work on the only job she can get - hosting a clickbait investigative podcast. Then she discovers a strange artefact and begins to convince herself it is evidence of an alien conspiracy.

(Country: Australia; Year: 2022; Director: Matt Vesely; Writer: Lucy Campbell; Stars: Lily Sullivan)

Full review

Talk to Me

Review preview for Talk to Me

The reason the film works so well is in its well-established teenage relationships - with the Philippous showing the attraction of being in with the cool kids and that the dangers this presents are particularly acute for those, like Mia, who are already emotionally vulnerable or, like Riley, desperate to be included in an older peer group.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an ancient embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill. Until one of them goes too far and opens the door to the spirit world.

(Country: Australia; Year: 2023; Director: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou; Writer: Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman; Stars: Sophie Wilde, Miranda Otto, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Zoe Terakes, Otis Dhanji)

Full review

The Wrath Of Becky

After living off the grid for two years, Becky finds herself going toe to toe against Darryl, the leader of a fascist organisation, on the eve of an organised attack.

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote; Writer: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote; Stars: Lulu Wilson, Seann William Scott, Matt Angel, Courtney Gains, Aaron Dalla Villa, Michael Sirow, Denise Burse, Jill Larson, Kate Siegel)