‘ELSE’ (Screamfest 2024) A visually consuming wonder.

Screamfest 2020 banner logoELSE

else 1

A mysterious disease that merges living beings with their physical surroundings leads to a lockdown. After a one-night stand, uptight and brilliant hypochondriac Anx and free-spirited, flighty Cassandre find themselves in forced cohabitation. This odd couple fills the hours dancing, having sex, walking down memory lane, and chatting with neighbors through the vents. When suddenly confronted by an attack inside the apartment, Anx and Cassandre’s survival mode turns into something entirely different. ELSE supplies the shivers to Screamfest 2024 audiences. Get ready for some serious weirdness.

else 2Beautiful camera work has an immersive feel. Eccentric production design initially mirrors Anx’s graphic artist occupation, eventually morphing to match the ever-evolving circumstances of the disease. There is a Tim Burton/JimHenson-esque quality to the creature fx. A grotesque whimsy that makes it difficult to look away.

Matthieu Sampeur and Edith Proust give us magnificent performances. The script possesses a dark inevitably the longer they are together. Director Thibault Emin, alongside co-writers Alice Butaud and Emma Sandona, delivers a surprising link to childhood trauma in Anx. The existential aspect creeps up on you and burrows under your skin. The psychosexual element is bonkers. ELSE is a genre-obliterating love story.

Premiere Type: LA Premiere
 
Film Category: Feature
 
Run Time: 1h 40m
 
Country: France, Belgium
 
Directed by: Thibault Emin
 
Produced By: Damien Lagogué, Benoit Roland
 
Written by: Thibault Emin, Alice Butaud, in collaboration with Emma Sandona
 
Main Cast: Matthieu Sampeur, Edith Proust, de la Comédie Française, Lika Minamoto
SCREAMFEST 2024 banner
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‘TEACUP’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) Peacock’s Original Horror-Thriller Series is finally here!

peacock-logoTEACUP

Peacock Original Teacup Vertical Key Art


The First Two Episodes, “Think About the Bubbles” & “My Little Lighthouse,” Premiere Thursday, October 10, Only on Peacock

Teacup Ep 01 - NBCUniversal MediaVillage - www.nbcumv.comEp 1: Think About the Bubbles

Based on Robert R. McCammon‘s novel Stinger, Peacock’s original series TEACUP finds a tiny rural community in distress as something unknown affects the animals and the electricity. We meet veterinarian Maggie Chenoweth, her two children, and the husband whose suggested infidelity drives a wedge between them. Their young son, Arlo, wanders into the woods only to come face to face with a bloodied and disturbed woman rambling incoherently. His return finds a child changed. Some mysterious force pushes these neighbors together while simultaneously pulling them apart. The first episode is a soldier teaser for what to expect. It is evident the story comes from a book. The tone of the script plays out like novella chapters. Each character intrigues with only a bit of background. The episode ends on a truly frightening note. You are hooked.


Teacup 02 Still 1 - NBCUniversal MediaVillage - www.nbcumv.com
Ep 2: My Little Lighthouse

Our small group of stranded folks begins to connect under their strange circumstances. Yvonne Strahovski captivates as Maggie. She is a force of nature without a hint of overbearing. Her chemistry with Caleb Dolden as Arlo gives us an emotional attachment point that holds strong.

The mystery holds in this second episode. What crumbs we do get leads to more questions and fear. A genuine “Oh, F*CK” moment throws our cast into greater chaos. Your heart will be in your throat witnessing the horrendous special FX makeup. Each hour ends with a song that is also the episode’s title. It is a clever and disturbing device. James Wan is genre gold. The fact that he co-produces alongside creator Ian McCulloch should get horror fans to tune in automatically.


TEACUP Trailer:


The First Two Episodes, “Think About the Bubbles” & “My Little Lighthouse,” Premiere Thursday, October 10, Only on Peacock


Teacup Ep 01 still 2 - NBCUniversal MediaVillage - www.nbcumv.com
Ep 101: Think About The Bubbles (Streaming Oct. 10)

Written By: Ian McCulloch

Directed By: E.L. Katz

Logline: There’s something in the air at the Chenoweths’ isolated farm/clinic; the animals are acting strangely, and the humans are uneasy. Maggie is doing her best to avoid a tense conversation with her husband, James, when their son, Arlo, goes missing. The rest of the family, including grandmother Ellen and daughter Meryl, join the search, along with several neighbors…




Teacup 02- NBCUniversal MediaVillage - www.nbcumv.com
Ep 102: My Little Lighthouse (Streaming Oct. 10)


“All killer, no filler”

Stephen King, Horror Legend & Author


ABOUT Teacup: 

Premiere Date: The first two episodes premiere on Thursday, October 10, 2024 followed by two episodes weekly through Halloween.

Synopsis: TEACUP follows a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive. Inspired by the New York Times bestselling novel Stinger by Robert McCammon.
Writer / Executive Producer: Ian McCulloch (Yellowstone, Deputy, Chicago Fire)
Director (101, 102) / Executive Producer: E.L. Katz (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Channel Zero)
Executive Producers: James Wan (The Conjuring Universe, Archive 81, M3GAN), Michael Clear (Archive 81, Swamp Thing) and Rob Hackett (Archive 81, I Know What You Did Last Summer) for Atomic Monster, Francisca X. Hu, Kevin Tancharoen
Executive Producer / Author (Stinger): Robert McCammon
Cast: Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman, Chaske Spencer, Kathy Baker, Boris McGiver, Caleb Dolden, Emilie Bierre, Luciano Leroux
Studio: UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group
Genre/Format: Horror Thriller, 8 x 30 Min Episodes 


NOTE FROM IAN MCCULLOCH (SHOWRUNNER/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER)

When Atomic Monster first approached me about creating a series adaptation of Robert McCammon’s Stinger—a no-holds-barred, gargantuan spectacle of a novel along the lines of The Stand, Independence Day and Mars Attacks—to be honest, I didn’t want to throw my hat in the ring. I’m not a spectacle writer. I’m a less-is-more writer. I gravitate more toward what are known as keyhole epics. Large stories told through small lenses. Think Signs, The Thing, A Quiet Place.

But here’s the thing. I read Stinger and it stayed with me. Wouldn’t leave me alone. I just couldn’t stop thinking about its razor-sharp premise, how it unfolds over the course of a single harrowing day, and about the relatable and real family McCammon puts center stage. That’s when the flash bang-light bulb idea hit…

What if I adapted Stinger in a way that honors the book and stays true to the kinds of stories I like to tell? Keep the conceit. Keep Stinger’s most effective elements. Take away the large ensemble. Take away the giant set pieces. Even take away the book’s crowded town setting. The adaptation would be like an acoustic guitar version of, say, a Radiohead song. It won’t have the production value, electronic instruments, loops, or synthesized bells and whistles but it will still have the melody, the structure, the lyrics, the real magic at the core, all the stuff that makes a great song a great song.

All of which is to say I could suddenly see exactly what to do and how to do it. Two weeks later, Atomic Monster had the script for the first episode. Soon after that, Peacock bought it. Not so long after that, both my creative and career dreams actually started coming true as more scripts were written, hires made, actors cast, sets built, and production began…

Of course, during production the series changed and evolved. Just as it should. Even the title’s different. Stinger is now Teacup. The reasons for this are too spoilery to share but watch the first few episodes and all will be revealed. Point being, the series is now very much its own thing: a puzzle-box mystery, an edge-of-your-seat thriller, a can’t-but-must look horror story, a family drama, a science fiction epic—of the keyhole variety, of course. But as singular, strange, and surprising as I hope Teacup is, all you need to do is peel away the layers, characters, situations, and mythology and look behind the thrills, chills, hairpin turns and make-you gasp reveals. Do all that and you’ll see, at its heart, Teacup is still very much standing on the shoulders of Stinger. Just as it should.

NOTE FROM JAMES WAN (EXECUTIVE PRODUCER)

After reading Robert McCammon’s book Stinger, the entire team at Atomic Monster felt a spark. The story had all the ingredients for a captivating series and Ian McCulloch had a vision to bring it to life in a fresh way that was both startling and darkly atmospheric, but filled with a rich sense of humanity — often lacking in edgy narratives. Add in our incredibly talented cast led by Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman and Chaske Spencer and fans are in for a true edge-of-your-seat experience.

Teacup defies easy labels. It’s a genre-bending blend of horror, mystery, and drama, with layers that unfold like a captivating puzzle. It goes beyond chills and thrills and holds up a mirror to humanity, exploring the darkness that resides within us all. We hope you enjoy this wild ride as much as we’ve loved creating it!


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‘FALLING STARS’ (2024) Living lore and the consequences of disrespect.

XYZ logoFALLING STARS

Falling Stars poster

Witches are real in the feature debut of director/producer duo Gabriel Bienczycki and Richard Karpala‘s FALLING STARS. On the first night of Harvest, three brothers go to the desert to see a witch’s corpse.

The film exists in a world where deeply embedded folklore is canon. While our boys initially visit the site with an excited and carefree attitude, their fear becomes palpable when they accidentally desecrate the body.

Falling_Stars_03There is a reminiscent feeling in FALLING STARS, some that reminds me of 80s classics like The Gate and The Lost Boys, with the glow of red dashboard hues, flashlights, and the moon being the dominant lighting sources. The cinematography by Bienczycki has an intimacy to it. Karpala’s screenplay is just downright cool. It is genuinely refreshing to witness masculinity based on regret and an apologetic undertone.

This ensemble cast is fantastic. Diane Worman plays the boys’ mother, Danni. She delivers a magnificent arc. Rene Leech gives Adam authentic baby brother energy with a need to please and an impressionable mind.

Falling_Stars_01J. Aaron Boykin is the mainstay of this film. As radio DJ Barry, he opens the film and acts as a narrative conduit for Mike’s panic. Andrew Gabriel is Sal, the middle brother. His caring nature and fixer attitude beg your attention. Shaun Duke Jr. gives Mike a tentative bravery and a strong sense of responsibility. He is the protector, for better or for worse.

FALLING STARS is a unique revenge horror that digs into witch lore, respecting tradition and an immaculate political undertone. Boasting a jaw-dropping and cinematically stunning finale, it’s a bit of pure genre magic.


FALLING STARS Trailer:

The acclaimed folk horror film arrives on VOD and in select U.S. cinemas on Friday, October 11th!

 

FALLING STARS is the feature debut of director/producer duo Richard Karpala and Gabriel Bienczycki, featuring an original screenplay by Karpala and cinematography by Bienczycki.

Starring Rene Leech, Shaun Duke Jr., Andrew Gabriel, Diane Worman, and Greg Poppa, the film World Premiered on the Piazza Grande at the Locarno Film Festival and went on to screen at Fantastic Fest, Calgary Underground, Splat! Film Fest, and more.

 

About XYZ Films 
XYZ Films is an independent studio whose mission is to empower visionary storytellers from every corner of the planet. XYZ was founded in 2008 by Nate Bolotin, Nick Spicer, and Aram Tertzakian and has expanded in recent years into documentary, talent management, and distribution. Some of the company’s classic titles include THE RAID franchise, 2017 Sundance winner I DON’T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, and Panos Cosmatos’ psychedelic revenge thriller MANDY.

 

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‘GIRL INTERNET SHOW: A KATI KELLI MIXTAPE’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) An experimental greatest hits documentary of a pioneering goddess.

FantasticFest_2024_Poster (GIRL INTERNET SHOW: A KATI KELLI MIXTAPE

girl internet show: kati Kelli poster

This brand-new feature-length “mixtape” unearths and reintroduces a stunning, singular body of work by the enigmatic Kati Kelli, an outsider video artist and digital native whose subversive online uploads push at the seams of the digital form. For nearly a decade before her passing in 2019, Kati ran “Girl Internet Show,” a YouTube channel, parasocial experiment, and epically deranged one-woman universe built from scratch in her bedroom. This hand-made mixtape by Jane Schoenbrun and Jordan Wippell features a lovingly curated selection of Kati’s online work, unreleased videos, and her first (and final) short film opus Total Body Removal Surgery.

girl internet show Kati Kelli still 1

Kelli’s videos range from character work, songs, artistic interpretation, and brief mundane behind-the-scenes footage, almost always direct to the camera. She is effortlessly funny, undeniably weird, and an improv queen. Her editing skills are mind-blowing.

girl internet show kati kelliKelli is a star. She has that sardonic wit you see in Aubrey Plaza. Frankly, if you told me they were blood relatives, I would accept that as fact. Also, it’s impossible to ignore how stunning she is.

I found myself mesmerized, even as some of Kelli’s sketches stretch on well past a comic norm. You just keep watching. Girl Internet Show is equal parts entertainment and voyeuristic pleasure. Teaming Jordan Wippell (who was also Kati’s partner) and Jane Schoenbrun makes so much sense. It is a creative marriage of deeply like-minded genius, and I know Kati would approve.

girl internet show: a kati Kelli Mixtape bannerThe film ends with Kati’s short film, finished three days before her passing. The subject is both ironic and eerie. Going in with the understanding that Kati is no longer with us weighs heavy in the back of your mind. Knowing what a massive star she was and how much bigger she could have been leaves a sting, but GIRL INTERNET SHOW: A Kati Kelli Mixtape celebrates an artist in all her magnificence. It’s an unforgettable film. Kelli lives forever, an eternal celluloid angel. She flies.

https://fantasticfest24.eventive.org/schedule/66cfc89c908740004850cb0e


Director Biography – Kati Kelli

kati kelli headhsot

Kati Kelli is a Los Angeles-based experimental video artist known for her surrealist approach to online media and cutting-edge, culture-jamming satire. Using baby dolls, caricatures, and maximalist editing techniques, Kati Kelli deconstructs her online identity while reveling in the toxic allure of social media.

She passed away in 2019 shortly after completing her first short film.

 

 


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‘PÁRVULOS’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) An exquisite wow and one of the year’s best films.

FantasticFest_2024_Poster (PÁRVULOS 

US Premiere

Parvulos poster

Filmmaker Isaac Ezban brings Fantastic Fest 2024 PÁRVULOS, the story of three siblings surviving in the woods by scavenging in a virus-ravaged world. The dangerous secret they harbor in the basement may be their undoing.

The cinematography is something to behold. The sepia-toned lens locks you into a compelling plot. It creates this magical, borderline eerie feeling. The production design team is aces with children’s drawings and makeshift inventions. The post-apocalyptic aspects are relatively subtle but incredibly effective. The end credits are outstanding. The original song “Our People Need Our Help” is a certified banger.

PÁRVULOS_StillTwo surprising performances will blow you away, but I won’t spoil that with specifics. I will only say that Norma Flores and Horacio Lazo give us everything they’ve got. Our three young brothers are magnificent. Mateo Ortega Casillas gives Benny the right amount of innocence and rebellion. Leonardo Cervantes delivers vulnerability and compassion as Oliver. Farid Escalante Correa gives Salvador a perfect mix of resentment and raging hormones. Together, they warm and break your heart.

The film’s tone takes an unexpectedly amusing twist once Benny learns the secret that Oliver and Salvador keep in the basement. Benny convinces his brothers that normalcy can return if they try hard enough. Their unrelenting determination hits a snag when a young woman crashes their holiday plans. The film takes another turn during its nearly two-hour run. A wildly dark finale holds you captive.

PÁRVULOS has enough meat on the bone for a series. Visually striking, beautifully acted, and ceaselessly compelling. Is it not only a highlight of Fantastic Fest, but one of the year’s best films, period.


Fantastic Fest Website:

https://fantasticfest24.eventive.org/films/66bd75c881b0b4003a7b9cc1

Synopsis: In the aftermath of the Omega Pandemic, a devastating global catastrophe, teenage Salvador has assumed the role of caretaker for his younger siblings, Oliver and Benjamin. Equipped with a host of survivalist skills, Salvador harvests resources from the forest nearby and hunts small game for their table while trying to instill a sense of normalcy through routine, games, storytelling, and holiday celebrations.

Director: Isaac Ezban

Cast: Carla Adell, Leonardo Cervantes, Felix Farid Escalante, Norma Flores, Noe Hernandez, Horacio Lazo, Mateo Ortega

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‘HEADS OR FAILS’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) Lenny and Harpo Guit take a gamble on one disarming dame.

FantasticFest_2024_Poster (HEADS OR FAILS

FANTASTIC FEST 2024 World Premiere

BURNT ENDS

Heads or FailsMasterfully absurd, Lenny and Harpo Guit’s latest film, HEADS OR FAILS, introduces Fantastic Fest 2024 to the ceaselessly irresponsible and eternal hustler, Armande. Down on her luck and owing money to everyone in her path in Belgium, risky wagers are her bread and butter. Whether they pan out is another thing entirely.

Immersive handheld cinematography heightens the silliness. Quick takes follow the Guit’s style of fast-paced, chaotic dialogue. You immediately recognize it from their 2021 film MOTHER SCHMUCKERS. A recurring gag is that men seem to fall head over heels for Armande, and she could not be less interested. She is a magnet for all sorts.

Maria Cavalier-Bazan is undeniably charming as Armande. Her give no fucks personality is smirk-inducing. Cavalier-Bazan’s take on Lenny and Harpo Guit’s script begs your attention. Much like the plot, she is an Energizer Bunny. Living inside the nonstop whirlwind storyline, Cavalier-Bazan effortlessly carries HEADS OR FAILS. Leaving audiences dizzied and amused, she is one disarming dame. Lenny and Harpo Guit’s gamble pays off.

https://www.fantasticfest.com/film-guide


Belgium, France

2024 – 86m – Color

French with English subtitles

Produced By:

Roue Libre Production, Fair Play Production, Clubb Guitos



Armande Pigeon is the queen of shenanigans. In Brussels, she struggles to make ends meet because she can’t stop gambling on everything, always ending up on the wrong side of luck. When she teams up with Ronnie one night, everything changes – they win it all. And when you hit a winning streak, you have to know when to stop.


Lenny and Harpo Guit Heads or Fails

About Lenny and Harpo Guit

Like the Lumière brothers, the Dalton brothers and the Grimm brothers, Lenny and Harpo Guit are brothers. Born in Paris in the ’90s, they founded Clubb Guitos with their sister Lulma Guit in 2000. In the 2010s, they went to university in Belgium and made a number of self-produced short films, including NATHALIE F*** YOU ALL (2016), LA SEMAINE EST ENCORE LONGUE (2016) and RADIO KIFF (2018). In the 2020s, Lenny and Harpo made their first feature film, MOTHER SCHMUCKERS produced by Roue Libre Production. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021.

©CLUBB GUITOS

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‘BONE LAKE’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) Diabolical and sexy cat-and-mouse game.

FantasticFest_2024_Poster (BONE LAKE

World Premiere

Bone Lake poster

Fantastic Fest alum Mercedes Bryce Morgan brings her latest in BONE LAKE, a psychosexual game of sex, lies, and videotape. Two very different couples find themselves double booked at a palatial lakeside Airbnb. Sage and Diego are in a relationship rut, while Cin and Will are hot and heavy. Awkwardness turns into friendship. When the four unlock three mysterious rooms, each has a theme that spurs trouble and begins a game of cat-and-mouse that turns the tables on everyone. BONE LAKE is here to titillate and transfix even the hardest-to-please genre fan.

Performances are fantastic across the board. Marco Pigossi and Maddie Hasson have an organic chemistry that draws you in. Their relatable personalities and quiet conflicts are perfect foils for Will and Cin. Andra Nechita and Alex Roe are master manipulators playing Will and Cin. They tap into Diego’s insecurities and Sage’s emotional/sexual frustration. Writer Joshua Friedlander gives them a divide-and-conquer playbook that will infuriate audiences, which is a compliment. This diabolical dynamic is juicy.

Clever camera work connected to the locks acts as a subconscious double entendre. The editing is a triumph. The FX team deserves a standing ovation. Genre fans might think they’ve caught on halfway through the film, but the reveal is clever, and it won’t be the last. BONE LAKE is a solid erotic thriller that pushes all the boundaries and buttons. Fantastic Fest 2024 is ready.


Fantastic Fest Website:
 
Remaining Screenings:
 
Logline: When two young couples are mistakenly double-booked into the same vacation rental their romantic weekend becomes a twisted maze of sex, lies, and survival.

Director: Mercedes Bryce Morgan
Written by: Joshua Friedlander
Cast: Alex Roe, Marco Pigossi, Maddie Hasson, Andra Nechita
 
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Fantastic Fest 2024 is genre heaven. 6 films we are psyched for.

FANTASTIC FEST 2024FantasticFest_2024_Poster

Our merry band of misfits, muckrakers, and miscreants is making it’s way to Austin, TX, for an 8-day carnival of cinematic delights – Fantastic Fest is back on Sept. 19th – 26th, taking place at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar cinema.


Fantastic Fest 2024 is upon us! The entire lineup is spectacular. Here are 6 films we are stoked for this year.

 

You can find the full Fantastic Fest 2024 Film Guide here!

PÁRVULOS

Director: Isaac Ezban (LOVED The Similars & Parallel)

PÁRVULOS_Still
Three young brothers living in a cabin in the middle of the woods hide a dark, disturbing secret in their basement.
  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    119 minutes
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Country:
    México
  • Premiere:
    US

TERRIFIER 3
Director: Damien Leone

Terrifier 3

After surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her brother struggle to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. However, just when they think they’re safe, Art returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare.

IN THEATERS: October 11, 2024

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    125 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    USA
  • Premiere:
    World

FRANKIE FREAKO

Director: Steven Kostanski

FRANKIE_FREAKO_Still

After calling a late-night party hotline that promises out-of-this-world fun, uptight yuppie Conor Sweeney must battle the pint-sized forces of evil that get unleashed through his phone line, led by the maniacal rock ‘n’ roll goblin Frankie Freako.

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    82 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    Canada
  • Premiere: International

THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF CHRISTOPHER LEE

Director: Jon Spira

THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF CHRISTOPHER LEE
Follows fresh interviews, archival footage, and various animation techniques like marionation to recreate one of the world’s leading actors on screen, bringing them back to life through innovative methods.
 

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    103 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    UK
  • Premiere:
    North American

STRANGE HARVEST: OCCULT MURDER IN THE INLAND EMPIRE

Director: Stuart Ortiz

STRANGE_HARVEST_Still

A faux true-crime documentary about two detectives’ pursuit of an infamous serial killer named Mr. Shiny, who terrorized Southern California for almost two decade

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    94 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    USA
  • Premiere:
    World
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‘THE COFFEE TABLE’ (2024) is the year’s most disturbing horror film.

cinephobia logo

THE COFFEE TABLE

The Coffee Table 2024 posterThe Coffee Table 2024 poster

THE COFFEE TABLE follows Jesus and Maria, a couple going through a difficult time in their relationship. Nevertheless, they have just become parents. To shape their new life, they decide to buy a new coffee table. A decision that will change their existence.


A film about a coffee table and not at all about a coffee table, this meditation on communication through the lens of horror is epic. THE COFFEE TABLE is the year’s most traumatizing film.

The Coffee Table still 2The notion of invisible labor rears its ugly head around 15 minutes in, but it’s what happens 4 minutes later that is so horrific you won’t believe what you’re eyes are telling your brain. THE COFFEE TABLE pulls no punches. Its first brutal images are so disturbing you won’t know what to do next. With Maria dutifully shopping for her idiot husband, the audience can only wait with bated breath for her reaction and what Jesús plans to do next. Admittedly, his behavior will break you.

Estafanía de los Santos delivers a tour de force performance as Maria. Her unconditional love for their son, incredibly intense opinions, and full-bellied laugh create a mesmerizing turn.

The Coffee Table still 1David Pareja gives Jesús a shockingly calm demeanor when forced to speak with the other cast members. It will, no doubt, upset the viewer tenfold. The lies flow out, and poor Maria continues to berate him without knowing a damn thing. His subsequent management of trauma drives the entire film.

The score by Bambikina is a demented manipulation of lullaby tones and funeral dirge. The practical FX and makeup are so effective. You wish they weren’t. THE COFFEE TABLE quite literally drips with irony and dread. Every minute that passes, the dialogue digs into your psyche in the most intrusive way. It’s brilliant and unspeakably fraught writing. You are not ready.


THE COFFEE TABLE will begin a limited theatrical run beginning in Los Angeles at Laemmle Glendale on April 19, with additional markets to follow including New York, Austin, and Chicago. The film will arrive on DVD and VOD on May 14.

 

THE COFFEE TABLE
Original title: La mesita del comedor

Directed by Caye Casas
Written by: Cristina Borobia, Caye Casas

Starring: David Pareja, Estefanía de los Santos, Josep Riera, Claudia Riera, Eduardo Antuña

Produced by: Norbert Llaràs
Production Company: Alhena Production
Co-Production Company: Apocalipsis Producciones, La Charito Films
Cinematography by: Alberto Morago
Edited by: Caye Casas
Music by: Bambikina

Spain I 2022 I Horror, Comedy I 90 minutes

The film held a robust festival life, including a World Premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival where it won Best Film in the ‘Rebels with a Cause’ section, a North American premiere at Fantastic Fest, and additional screenings at Fantaspoa – International Fantastic Film Festival, Macabro – Festival Internacional de Cine de la Ciudad de México, and Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, where it received the White Raven award.

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Review: Dark Star’s genre-bending ‘TROPIC’ shoots for the stars. Now on VOD & DVD

TROPIC

Twin brothers Tristan and Làzaro are aspiring astronauts. During a late-night swim, Tristan becomes infected with a mysterious physical and mental ailment when a bright green asteroid plummets into the water. Lazaro must understand his brother’s drastic changes as he tries to maintain an elite physical and psychological state.

Marta Nieto plays the twin’s mother, Mayra. Her performance is like a gut punch. Writers nail the invisible labor and isolation in motherhood and its inevitable breaking point. Nieto lives in the skin of Mayra and earns a standing ovation. Pablo Cobo and Loius Peres are magnificent. Cobo’s brooding anger equally matches his deep adoration for his twin. His performance as Làzaro is an emotional roller coaster, riddled with survivor’s guilt. Peres leans into palpable fear and trauma, giving audiences a complete 180 in physicality. TROPIC’s costume and makeup departments lend a hand here as they switch gears for Tristan from tailored clothes to ill-fitting outfits, as well as his elaborate facial fx. He is spectacular.

As a special needs parent, this is a brutal but honest watch. Feeling “othered” as an individual and a family is viscerally devastating. The cinematography, particularly the underwater footage, is mesmerizing. The sci-fi elements combined with a perfect synth score create a timeless feel. TROPIC defies a single genre category. The volatility of this unique story is riveting, but its gravity lies within its intimacy.


TROPIC.
Following its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, in competition play at Sitges, and theatrical release earlier this month, the film hits VOD and DVD on December 19.

Distribution Company: Dark Star Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: December 1, 2023
VOD/DVD Release Date: December 19, 2023
Director: Edouard Salier
Writers: Edouard Salier, Mauricio Carrasco
Starring: Pablo Cobo, Louis Peres, Marta Nieto
Synopsis: Lázaro and Tristán (19), twin brothers and best friends are training together for the Astronaut Academy entrance tests. One day, Tristán is contaminated with some mysterious residue which makes him monstrous physically and weakened mentally. This disaster forces Lázaro to let go of how he remembers his brother and learn to love him as he is now, in a world where there is no room for monsters.


Review: ‘THE ELDERLY’ is clever social commentary wrapped in a terrifying horror film.

THE ELDERLY

Following the sudden suicide of his wife, Manuel begins acting violently strange. Soon a series of paranormal events has all of the local elderly behaving oddly. They all seem to know something the young do not – paired with a lust for blood.

From the directing duo of the gooeytastic Spanish horror film The Passenger, Raúl Cerezo and Fernando González Gómez serve audiences their latest original story, THE ELDERLY.

Family tension grows after the unexpected suicide of the family matriarch. Manuel begrudgingly moves in with his son, granddaughter, and bitter daughter-in-law. As the temperatures outside rise, so does the mind-boggling behavior of Manuel and the rest of the octogenarian population.

Ignacio Aguilar‘s cinematography is breathtaking. Closeups, panning, overhead shots, each take meticulously planned for maximum impact. The visual trickery is out of this world. The score is unsettling, with its string-heavy intensity mixed with hauntingly written love standards.

A shockingly violent moment halfway through jolts an audience now accustomed to the eerie din of quietly disturbing imagery. The Elderly shines in the power of visual suggestion, shadow play, reflections, and long lingering takes.

The slow-burn film boasts a brutal and traumatizing, no-holds-bar climax. Otherworldly communication connects to climbing temperatures. The hotter the temp, the more intense the violence. The Elderly taps into the idea of the older generation feeling unheard and dismissed. It also utilizes classic supernatural tropes, adding one shocking last frame.


Distribution Company: Dark Star Pictures 
Theatrical Release Date: October 13, 2023
VOD & Blu-Ray Release Date: October 31, 2023
Directors: Raúl Cerezo, Fernando González Gómez
Writers: Raúl Cerezo, Javier Trigales, Rubén Sánchez Trigos

Runtime: 95 Minutes
Starring: Zorion Eguileor, Gustavo Salmerón, Paula Gallego, Irene Anula, Juan Acedo, Ángela Gamonal

Review: Demian Rugna’s jaw-dropping ‘WHEN EVIL LURKS’ is extreme horror that will wreck you.

presents

When brothers Pedro (Ezequiel Rodríguez) and Jimmy (Demián Salomón) discover that a demonic infection has been festering in a nearby farmhouse — its very proximity poisoning the local livestock — they attempt to evict the victim from their land. Failing to adhere to the proper rites of exorcism, their reckless actions inadvertently trigger an epidemic of possessions across their rural community. Now they must outrun an encroaching evil as it corrupts and mutilates everyone it is exposed to, and enlist the aid of a wizened “cleaner,” who holds the only tools that can stop this supernatural plague.

A wildly original take on the possession film, When Evil Lurks is a shocking supernatural thriller from Argentine master of horror, writer-director Demián Rugna (Terrified).

Folk horror goes hard in this tale of possession and superstition. Writer-director Demian Rugna‘s WHEN EVIL LURKS pits fear and skepticism against an unrelenting demonic force. That’s only the beginning.

The script reveals itself in bits and pieces, with the plot having ties to some apocalyptic lore affecting entire towns. We learn of a set of rules that are cannon to this happening from generations preceding our main characters. Take David Robert Mitchell’s IT FOLLOWS, add a page out of Stephen King‘s IT, and you’ll begin to understand what you’re dealing with. Somehow, WHEN EVIL LURKS is nastier and even more shocking. The script also suggests that cities were targets first, but there is also an implication that class is somehow involved. There are also what amounts to slayers, a select group of people who confront the evil known as “Cleaners.” There is so much meat on the bone in this script that despite the urge to hide your eyes, it compels you to watch it unfold.

One standout performance comes from Emilio Vodanovich as Jari, Pedro’s autistic son. As a mother of a child on the spectrum, I genuinely believed they had cast an actor with autism. It is a startling performance. Demian Soloman gives Jimi an authentic heart. A lot is going on behind those eyes. Ezequiel Rodríguez has your heart in your throat from beginning to end. His portrayal of Pedro runs the emotional gambit. He nails it. Rugna gives Jimi and Pedro enough depth and trauma that Soloman and Rodríguez could pull off a sequel in a heartbeat.

Pablo Fuu‘s music is brilliantly disturbing, particularly in the repeated hard rock guitar riff. Holy Special FX, Batman! WHEN EVIL LURKS pulls no punches with the visual ick. Marcos Berta‘s work is gag-inducing and diabolical. It makes you angry and nauseous. The dialogue is often vile and biting but entirely hypnotizing as you discover more. The brutality grows from one scene to the next. WHEN EVIL LURKS is easily one of the most deranged films of the year. Rugna has broken all the rules. There is no coming back from this one.

IFC Films will release in theaters nationwide this Friday
Find a theater near you
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Available to stream on Shudder on October 27th




Director: Demián Rugna

Screenwriter: Demián Rugna

Starring: Ezequiel Rodríguez, Demián Salomón, Silvina Sabater, Virginia Garofalo, Paula Rubinsztein, Luis Dziembrowski

Producers: Fernando Diaz, Roxana Ramos

Executive Producers: Fernando Diaz, Roxana Ramos, Samuel Zimmerman, Emily Gotto

Cinematographer: Mariano Suarez

Editor: Lionel Cornistein

Composer: Pablo Fuu

Language: Spanish

Country of Origin: Argentina

Running Time: 99 minutes


About the Director

Born in Haedo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, director and screenwriter Demián Rugna specializes in fantasy and horror films. After making numerous short films in the horror genre and a large number of original scripts, he’s directed several feature films including The Last Gateway, Cursed Bastards! and You Don’t Know Who You’re Talking To. His fourth film, Terrified, was multi-awarded, sold to platforms all over the world, and was the most successful horror film at the box office in Argentina. Recently, he participated in an anthology film called Satanic Hispanics. His 5th feature film, When Evil Lurks, will premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and be released this Fall.


 

Fantastic Fest 2023 capsule review: ‘The Other Laurens’ brims with mystery and mayhem

THE OTHER LAURENS

Beginning in Shakespearean fashion, the chaos and bait-and-switch screenplay of Claude Schmitz‘s THE OTHER LAURENS earns your attention. Private investigator, Gabriel gets contacted by his niece to look into the recent death of her father and Gabriel’s estranged twin brother, François.

THE OTHER LAURENS is a whirlwind of mafialike underworld, bikers as protective soldiers, drug trafficking, double dealings, and bombastic characters. The script’s dramatic complexity gets a momentary reprieve from the two local detectives and their witty banter.

Loise Leroy wows in her feature debut as Jade. The emotional turmoil she endures puts Leroy through the wringer, and she handles it like a pro. She is a star. Olivier Rabourdin plays dual roles as Gabriel and François. His ability to shape-shift will captivate you. THE OTHER LAURENS is an epic film, brimming with twists and turns, and is a real stand-out from Fantastic Fest 2023.


Director: Claude Schmitz
Writer: Claude Schmitz and Kostia Testut
Starring: Olivier Rabourdin, Louise Leroy, Kate Moran 
Producers: Jérémy Forni, Benoit Roland
Co-Producers: Valérie Berelmont, David Claikens, Tanguy Dekeyser, Phillipe Logie, Alex Verbaere  

Year: 2023
Runtime: 117 minutes
Language: French, English, Spanish
Country: Belgium, France
Premiere: North American


 

Fantastic Fest 2023 review: Nicholas Tomnay’s delicious treat ‘WHAT YOU WISH FOR’ is a twisted tale of wealth, power, and consequence.

WHAT YOU WISH FOR

Writer-director Nicholas Tomnay takes us on a journey of twisted morality. Down on his luck, chef Ryan steps into the life of his schoolmate and cooks for a small group of ultra-wealthy diners. The experience is nothing like he imagined.

Nick Stahl plays Ryan, a chef running from his gambling debts. When he assumes the identity of his former culinary schoolmate, he must outpace the threats at home while managing the expectations of “playing” Jack. Questions of morality loom large. You’ll root for a man bending the rules to survive.

Nick Stahl has been on my radar my entire life. We are the same age, and as a cinephile from the womb, I’ve followed his career from The Man Without a Face to Disturbing Behavior and, more recently, Hunter Hunter and What Josiah Saw. To me, he’s a genre staple. WHAT YOU WISH FOR is another strong role choice for Stahl. His ability to command each frame, often without dialogue, draws you into his world.

Tomnay gives the audience plenty of intrigue from beginning to end, slowly building tension, never quite letting up until the last frame. And boy, it’s a doozy. I cannot say much more. I don’t wish to spoil the film. Trust me when I say it’s a delicious entry into the dark comedic world. It is, as they say, Chef’s Kiss.


WHAT YOU WISH FOR is written and directed by Nicholas Tomnay. The film is produced by Nicholas Tomnay, Francesca Silvestri & Kevin Chinoy.


 

Fantastic Fest 2023 documentary review: ‘SPOOKTACULAR!’ tells the tale of the first horror theme park, and it’s scary good.

SPOOKTACULAR!

Executive produced by Tom Savini, Fantastic Fest 2023 doc SPOOKTACULAR! by filmmaker Quinn Monahan takes us back to a place I never knew existed. Now that it’s gone, I’m incredibly jealous. It’s time to tell the tale of Spooky World.

1991, in the middle of a Massachusetts cornfield, open every day in October, Dave Bertolino‘s Spooky World was a horror con and a theme park. It was the first dedicated haunted attraction, paving the way for every modern-day, big-name fright night across the country. Built on a dollar and a dream, Spooky World grew more popular and went through numerous iterations. As one of the first featured guests, Tom Savini’s direct influence on Spookyworld shifted from a homegrown haunted hayride to a proper frightening experience within a year, with Tom building his own branded Haunted House. The busier the park, the more elaborate and inventive Bertolino had to become.

The townspeople of Berlin had a fantastic relationship with Bertolino. Bringing jobs, money, and recognition to a sleepy farming town. But, not everyone was thrilled with the boundary-pushing additions, playing politics and making Bertilino’s job harder. That’s not to say that his antics and ideas came without skepticism from within.

The editing by Stefan Avalos and Bill Tartaglia is a wonder. The film uses archival footage, sit-down interviews, and home videos from the opening nights and beyond. David Bertolino’s inspiration came from Vincent Price and his showmanship, and Monahan, Avalos, and Tartaglia use numerous clips from his films as transition pieces. It’s delightful.

Growing up in northern Connecticut, I cannot believe I never ventured up the Spooky World as a self-proclaimed Halloween addict and horror fanatic. I’m thankful the park ever existed, and its humble and exciting existence spread like wildfire so that global genre fans could care and scare together.

 

Fantastic Fest 2023 review: ‘THE WAIT’ is a solid entry in the Western-horror subgenre.

THE WAIT (La Espera)

Eladio has been hired to watch over the hunting grounds of Don Francisco’s estate, somewhere in rural Spain. The estate is divided into ten hunting stands, spaced far enough apart to avoid incidents. After three years of service, Don Carlos — Don Francisco’s second in command — offers him a bribe to add an additional three stands to the property. Eladio initially hesitates, but his wife eventually convinces him to take the money. Eladio’s greed has unfortunate consequences that drag his entire family to perdition.

Opportunity, loyalty, guilt, and greed drive THE WAIT (La Espera) headlong into tragedy. F. Javier Gutierrez‘s 2023 Fantastic Fest film takes our protagonist on a torturous journey into madness. To save his flailing marriage, Eladio agrees to take cash under the table to break the rules. The consequences are deadly. When the drink takes over his existence, visions and strange occurrences send him on a wild goose chase for redemption and salvation.

Striking sun-baked cinematography juxtaposed with nightmare scenarios makes for a visually splendid treat for genre fans. The first third of the film lies firmly in the classic Western genre. The sudden flip into supernatural horror is jarring, but our leading man, Victor Clavijo, has you tied in knots on his emotional journey and the mystery at hand. One nightmarish torment scene boasts fantastic practical and Special FX makeup. The mystery grows steadily. The motive is a slow burn, though it does pay off. THE WAIT (La Espera) is a solid folk horror entry and an even more niche win for the Western horror subgenre.


 

The Wait (La Espera): 99 minutes / Spain

Spanish w/ English subtitles


 

Fantastic Fest 2023 review: Jamie Childs’ action-packed feature debut ‘JACKDAW’ makes you beg for a franchise

JACKDAW

A former motocross champion and army veteran is now caring for his younger brother. Broke, he agrees to do an open water pick up of a mysterious illegal package in the North Sea. A resulting double cross and his brother’s disappearance set him and his old bike on a violent nocturnal odyssey through England’s northern rust belt.


Nonstop action and chases from sea to land, dirt bike to horseback, JACKDAW begins with an intensity that only lets up for moments of character-building and levity. The cinematography is eye-catching. The neon and strobe-soaked lighting choices heighten the already heart-pounding action. Watching it feels akin to an immersive video game or graphic novel.

Leon Harrop is sensational during his little screen time as Jack’s brother, Simon. He is a real pro. As a Whovian, I was delighted to see Jenna Coleman as an absolute badass and Jack’s ex. With a more overtly sexy vibe than Coleman’s Clara days, I loved her almost downplayed performance, as it humanized what could have been a caricature. Joe Blakemore gives Silas a manic energy, just over the top enough to blow you away with his choices.

Thomas Turgoose is the perfect foil for Jackson-Cohen. Playing Craig, he earns lovable sidekick status with a classic jokester attitude. You immediately fall in love with him. Oliver Jackson-Cohen is an unstoppable force. He owns every frame with quiet intensity and effortlessly cool. He continues his leading man status as Jack. You cannot take your eyes off him.

The twists keep coming. Writer-director Jaime Childs implies a lot. The backstory must be juicy if this is how these characters interact with each other. JACKDAW is entertaining as hell, giving us enough meat on the bone to make audiences beg for a prequel and a sequel. More, more, more!



Director: Jamie Childs
Producers: Jamie Childs, Kate Glover, Callum Grant, Sébastien Raybaud
Starring: Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Rory McCann, Jenna Coleman, Vivienne Acheampong



JACKDAW
Fantastic Fest Screening Details

Friday, September 22nd from 5:20 PM to 6:57 PM at Alamo Drafthouse
(Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 1120 S Lamar Blvd)

Wednesday, September 27th from 5:00 PM to 6:37 PM at Alamo Drafthouse
(Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 1120 S Lamar Blvd)


 

Review: ‘KING ON SCREEN’ is a treat for all horror fans.

KING ON SCREEN

King On Screen Poster


Filmmaker Daphné Baiwir taps into our love of horror through the lens and pages of Stephen King. Her new documentary KING ON SCREEN gives audiences all the insider goodies, things we heard through the grapevine and never before explored details from relationships with King and some of our favorite filmmakers who dared to translate his words for cinephiles.

The number of King’s books that jumped from page to screen is astounding. As a kid in the 80s, like many of the filmmakers in the doc, I grew up seeing King’s books on my family’s shelf but immersed myself in the films first. The kids in Stand By Me and IT became my peers. I rented The Shining, Creepshow, and Pet Sementary ad nauseum. By the time 1996 rolled around, I remembered the glee I experienced when I discovered The Green Mile in the grocery store checkout aisle.

While we don’t hear from King directly, we see stills and videos of Stephen on the sets of his adaptations. Filmmakers like Greg Nicotero, Mike Flanagan, David Carson, Taylor Hackford, Tom Holland, John Harrison, Mick Garris, and Frank Darabont share how King’s books inspired their work. They speak to the overwhelming readability of small-town horror. King singlehandedly made Maine an unlikely horror destination. I love that everyone addresses The Shining controversy. Behind-the-scenes footage and anecdotes explain the breakdown between the book and the film. Kubrick obliterates Jack Torrance’s humanity that fans of the book (King, most of all) hate.

King’s deep dive into the political landscape has always existed. The film explores his ability to explore universal truths, whether religion, race, or greed, and make characters lovable or loathsome based on their moral compass. In the same way, we joke about The Simpsons‘ writers predicting the future, Stephen King uses the global landscape to create villains and heroes that shake us to our core. Translating that from page to screen sometimes takes a slight adjustment. The best filmmakers always ask Steve first.

For horror fans, KING ON SCREEN is like a kid coming home with a Halloween candy haul that would put you in a coma. For fans of his books, it’s like changing costumes and going out for round two. It’s delicious fun, no matter how cliche you might find the Easter egg-filled bookend scenes. They play like a Where’s Waldo for readers and genre fans alike. (I loved it.) So, turn the lights down and make popcorn. KING ON SCREEN scares up our nostalgia and celebrates a storytelling master.

 

The horror documentary KING ON SCREEN will be in Theaters on August 11th

and available On Demand and Blu-Ray on September 8th.

 

The film is directed by Daphné Baiwir (Deauville and the American dream) and features interviews with Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Walking Dead), Mick Garris (The Stand, Sleepwalkers), Mike Flanagan (“Midnight Mass,” Doctor Sleep), Tom Holland (The Langoliers, Chucky), Vincenzo Natali (Cube, In the Tall Grass), Greg Nicotero (“The Walking Dead,” “Creepshow”), Mark L. Lester (Commando, Firestarter), Taylor Hackford (Dolores Claiborne, Ray), Dee Wallace (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Cujo), Tim Curry (Congo, The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and James Caan (The Godfather, Misery).


 

Review: Festival favorite ‘A LIFE ON THE FARM’ is a weirdly moo-ving doc. Yup.

A LIFE ON THE FARM

Somerset, England, and a mysterious VHS tape of a local farmer named Charles Carson. A LIFE ON THE FARM is a documentary feature that has had genre festivals buzzing since last year. Well, the chickens have come to roost, as they say, because the film finally arrives in theaters. You are not ready.

Carson’s tape provides viewers with so much unwanted information and detail. Most notably, a distasteful closeup of a bovine afterbirth and a dead cat. That is only the first taste of weirdness, as images get much darker the longer you watch. Carson’s nonchalant attitude toward everything on the farm feels jarring. His nervous laughter echoes throughout the film and viewers are disturbed. A LIFE ON THE FARM is one of the most bizarre home movies ever discovered. It feels wrong to watch, and yet you cannot look away!

Director Oscar Harding happened upon the tape as a child but had only had the pleasure of watching until his father hit stop on the VCR. It isn’t until the VHS reemerges in his adulthood that he feels compelled to dig deeper into the man beyond the vast amount of background provided by Charles along the way.

Carson’s neighbors and fans of the tape share their confusion, fascination, and shock at the tape’s contents, but I stopped in my tracks and took a step back when I realized the deeper meaning behind Charles’s actions. The films are part of his coping mechanism for loneliness, loss of purpose, grief, and, eventually, dementia. Friends honor Carson’s memory with understanding and respect for his complicated circumstances.

A new chapter to the mystery of Charles Carson occurred in 1996 when a new video appeared on YouTube. Harding and his peers are astounded by the short film’s artistry, story, and editing. Carson’s view of mortality is astonishing. A LIFE ON THE FARM is a creepy, enchanting, unusual, and extraordinary chronicling of a particular life.


** Theatrical tour at Alamo Drafthouse theaters throughout the US
starts April 13th (schedule below); both films available On Demand May 9th **


Fan Favorites from Fantastic Fest 2022, CHOP & STEELE, and A LIFE ON THE FARM will be screened as a double feature, with a theatrical rollout starting on April 13th at Alamo Drafthouse theaters throughout the country. The above special screenings will all precede live comedy shows with Found Footage Festival founders Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher, as well as filmmaker Q&As for A LIFE ON THE FARM in select cities. This double feature will screen as part of the theater chain’s fan-favorite “Fantastic Fest Presents” series and will expand further with additional shows in the weeks following.


 

Review: SCREAMBOX original documentary ‘LIVING WITH CHUCKY’ is killer family fun.

Screenwriter Don Mancini, writer-director Tom Holland, SFX artist Tony Gardner, and producer David Kirschner brought a possessed doll to life in 1988. In Kara Elise Gardner‘s new documentary, horror actors and CHILD’S PLAY creators comment on the horror industry and the franchise’s specific epicness. LIVING WITH CHUCKY celebrates the genre and its fans. 

Brad Dourif plays Charles Lee Ray, aka Chucky. Dourif’s legendary voiceover work will go down in horror history, making ears perk up and fans smirk. He explains his adoration for Chucky but that his experience comes with the isolation of the recording booth. Thank goodness he never gave up on fans. Chucky would not be the same without his frightening and hilarious intonation.

Alex Vincent, the original Andy, speaks to his experience at ages six and seven. Everyone boasts of his maturity and the professionalism he displayed on set. Jennifer Tilly plays Tiffany, aka Bride of Chucky. When Tilly came into the franchise, it revitalized the humor as a straighter foil for Dourif’s maniacal Chucky. The creation of her character is cinematic genius involving the Bride of Frankenstein and a bathtub. Dourif raves about her ability to improvise. 

SFX artist Tony Gardner explains the difficulty in reproducing Chucky, Tiffany, and creating Glen/Glenda for Seed of Chucky. Billy Boyd is Glen/Glenda. He remembers his favorite kill with a famous franchise fan and camp master, John Waters. Don Mancini brings in a wider queer audience with this film but also gets meta with the on-screen death of Gardner. 

For Curse of Chucky, Brad’s daughter Fiona Dourif played the film’s final girl, Nica. The script returns to a scarier horror, swinging away from the camp of Bride and Seed. Nica was in a wheelchair, a representation that remains rare on film. Cult of Chucky brings back Alex Vincent and a handful of familiar faces over the years. This film is a full-circle moment for the entire Child’s Play franchise.

Brad and Fiona Dourif, Boyd, Vincent, John Waters, Abigail Breslin, Lin Shaye, Marlon Wayans, Christine Elise, and Elle Lorraine discuss the grounded reaction of working with practical fx. We get to see the technical wonder of iconic scenes through behind-the-scenes footage and storytelling from those on set. 

As a Child’s Play fan, transition scenes show you every minute detail of creating a single Chucky doll, and popping in each physical piece of media one at a time is fascinating. Everyone comments on the difficulty of movie-making and maintaining family life. The franchise structure is a unique chance to reconnect with people from year to year. They become your support system while away from your biological crew. Director Kyra Elise Gardner brings her second family into the limelight. LIVING WITH CHUCKY allows fans to celebrate one of their horror legends and those responsible for his status. It’s killer fun. 


US VOD PLATFORMS (April 4)
Amazon, Apple, Google Play, VUDU, Hoopla, Xbox, SCREAMBOX, and more.
(SCREAMBOX is available to stream on iOS, Android, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Comcast, Cox, and screambox.com)

CANADA VOD PLATFORMS (April 4)
Apple, Google Play, Xbox, and more.

The LIVING WITH CHUCKY Collector’s Edition Blu-ray will also be released on April 18 and available in the US & Canada.
Special features include: Exclusive artwork by Creepy Duck, Candid Conversations, Favorite Death Scenes, Strange Families and Director’s Commentary.


SCREAMBOX, which is powered by Bloody Disgusting, features a broad mix of content for casual and die-hard horror fans alike. The service is refreshed monthly with content from the Company’s extensive genre library with films and episodes delivering every type of terror imaginable — Supernatural, Slashers, Zombies and more. SCREAMBOX currently features classic horror films like Slumber Party Massacre and the original House on Haunted Hill, the blockbuster indie horror films The Outwaters and Terrifier 2 as well as horror series such as “The Island” and “Master of Horror.” Documentaries Pennywise: The Story of It & Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary are also currently available. SCREAMBOX  is available to stream on iOS, Android, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Comcast, Cox and screambox.com 

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