Fantastic Fest 2025 – The Restoration at Grayson Manor brings family tensions to new heights, especially between a mother and son. The film relishes its overall bonkers premise. This is the type of movie that warrants an audience and an enthusiastic crowd. It’s like a tantalizing soap opera that’s also a horror movie.
Directed by Glenn McQuaid, who penned the script with Clay McLeod Chapman, the film stars Chris Colfer as the flamboyant and eccentric Boyd Grayson. He shares the sprawling Grayson estate with his domineering mother, Jacqueline, played by Alice Krige. Unlike his mom, Boyd isn’t really concerned with carrying on the family name or upholding the massive estate and his family’s legacy. Instead, he brings home men and enjoys his lavish lifestyle. However, if Boyd doesn’t have a child, then the family name will die. His mother promises the family name will survive, one way or the other.
Minutes into the film, Boyd suffers a freak accident that chops off his hands. What should be a horrible tragedy presents an opportunity for his scheming mother. Once he’s helpless and handless, Jacqueline plans the best way to convince her son to have a kid, despite the fact he’s not straight. It’s harder to resist her when he’s bound to a hospital bed. He’s also the subject of an experimental procedure that would attach prosthetic hands to his limbs, controlled by his subconscious.
The rest of the cast is rounded out by nurses Lee (Declan Reynolds) and Claudia (Gabriela Garcia Vargas) as well as Dr. Jeffrey Tannock (Daniel Adegboyega). It’s a small, tight cast, and each actor plays off the other quite well for some comedic gold. Regarding the other characters, the viewers are kept guessing as to whether or not they can be trusted. Do they actually have Boyd’s best interest at heart and his recovery, or are they working for Jacqueline, paid to keep Boyd in check? Meanwhile, the hands eventually take on a life of their own and start attacking, making for some wildly fun scenes. The movie really veers into some utterly silly territory, and it’s all the more fun for it.
This film works so well as a queer comedy in part because of Colfer and Krige’s performances. She’s extremely over-the-top as an oppressive mother. She also makes a stylish and cunning villain who clings to and obsesses over her wealth and her family’s name. Colfer, meanwhile, makes his character initially seem like a shallow playboy, ready to hook up with the next man who walks into his room, including Lee at one point. Yet, there are moments late in the film when his character shows flashes of humanity about his own future and desires. He eventually becomes more than a one-note character and punchline. The film really hits the high notes whenever Krige and Colfer appear on screen together, fueling the mother and son conflict. They’re both an utter delight.
The Restoration at Grayson Manor is one amusing queer horror comedy. It contains murder, mayhem, sex, and a bit of gore. What’s not to like? This film will likely find its audience and become a fan favorite with time. It proudly flaunts its absurdity and pulls the audience along for an untamed ride.
