You know that it’s officially spooky season when Fantastic Fest creeps closer and closer. The 8-day cinematic carnival will take place from September 19-26 in Austin, Texas at the Alamo Drafthouse Lamar Cinema. While several of the festival packages and badges are sold out, some are still available, including the second half badge, which makes available the last four days of the fest. To purchase a badge, visit the Fantastic Fest website.
Each year, Fantastic Fest premieres new movies from well-known genre filmmakers, while also showcasing feature debuts and short films crafted by up-and-coming writers and directors. This year is no different. Here are five films we can’t wait to see.
Terrifier 3
Before Art the Clown slashes victims in theaters nationwide on October 11, Terrifier 3 will premiere at this year’s Fantastic Fest. Like everyone else, we can’t wait to see what writer/director Damien Leone has in store for the third movie. From the trailers and images, we already know that this is a Christmas movie. In fact, in one scene, Art dresses up as Santa. Can you imagine the bloody limbs he’s carrying in that jolly old sack?
We also know that Terrifier 2’s stellar final girl, Sienna (Lauren LaVera), as well as her little bro, Jonathan (Elliott Fullam), have returned for the third movie. They’re featured prominently in the full-length trailer. This latest installment finds Sienna at college, trying to overcome the horrific events of the second film. Will she and her brother make it out of this one alive? We’ll have to wait and see. Leone has teased a gruesome opening and one scene later in the film that just may rival the infamous bedroom/salt scene from Terrifier 2.
Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire
Lately, there’s been a crop of films offering interesting commentary on the true crime and serial killer genres. More specifically, I’m thinking of the very stellar Strange Darling and Red Rooms, both of which offer fascinating narrative choices, while interrogating why serial killers resonate in American pop culture.
Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire caught this writer’s attention because I think it also has the potential to do something really unique with the true crime subgenre. Directed by Stuart Ortiz (Grave Encounters 1 & 2, Extraterrestrial), the film is a faux true crime documentary. It follows two detectives in pursuit of an infamous serial killer named Mr. Shiny, who brutalized Southern California for two decades. The film stars Peter Zizzo (Billions) and Terri Apple (Murder at Hollow Creek).
V/H/S Beyond
How many V/H/S anthology films have there been now? I’ve lost count. Regardless, these movies are always fun and showcase up-and-coming directors. In the past, Ti West, Adam Wingard, Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead are just a few of the V/H/S alumni that have gone on to find major success.
Based on the trailer, this latest anthology looks like it leans into sci-fi territory, which would be something unique for the franchise. The directors of these six new tales include Jay Cheel, Jordan Downey, Christan Long, Justin Long, Justin Martinez, Virat Pal, and Kate Siegel. While some of these names, other than famed genre actress Siegel, may be a bit unfamiliar, keep an eye on them. If the past is prologue regarding this franchise, it’s likely you’ll be hearing more from them.
Apartment 7A
In 2024, who could have imagined a prequel to Rosemary’s Baby? Well, we’re getting one in Apartment 7A, directed by Natalie Erika James. Though I was skeptical of this film at first, once I saw James’ name attached to it, my anticipation grew. Her feature debut, Relic, is stellar slow-burn horror film. I’m excited to see what she does with this.
Set in 1965 in New York City, this film will show what exactly happened before Rosemary moved into that apartment complex three years later. This prequel stars Julia Garner as Terry, a struggling dancer. She’s lured by dark forces promising fame. Well, we all know that’s unlikely to end well. After its premiere at Fantastic Fest, Apartment 7A will stream on Paramount Plus on September 27.
Little Bites
Rob Zombie isn’t the only one in his family who makes horror movies. His little brother, Spider One, also the front man of Powerman 5000, will showcase his third movie, Little Bites, at this year’s fest. His first two films, Allegoria and Bury the Bride, showed a heck of a lot of promise. Spider One’s latest follows a mother desperate to protect her ten-year-old daughter from a nightmarish monster show. Krisy Fox, who starred in Spider One’s previous movies, also stars in this one.
Along with new features and shorts, Fantastic Fest will screen a few genre classics, most notably Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook, for its 10-year-anniversary. For more information and to view the full schedule, visit www.fantasticfest.com.
