Oddities
Filmmaker Tyler Savage‘s Frightfest 2026 film ODDITIES follows party-girl roommates as they spiral into chaos: an accidental murder, a pissed-off drug dealer, and then unexpected captivity by a would-be savior. After almost getting raped in search of a quick high, Mak and Rose go on the run, only to discover that there is an enormous bag of drugs in the trunk of their now-dead assailant. They know someone will come looking for them.
To evade a tailing cop, the two randomly drive toward a sign that reads Antiques. Once inside the roadside shop, Mak makes one more terrible life choice, putting the roommates in the hands of an unhinged woman. Now captives in a cell beneath the big red barn, they must contend with the owner’s unusual beliefs.
Xander Berkeley enters in Act 3. Berkley has a knack for elevating any project he appears in regardless of the genre. Gunner Willis delivers a mesmerizing, trauma-led turn as Francis. Savage gives legend Adrienne Barbeau an unreal complexity in Betty. Her outwardly calm demeanor hides a ferocity and quick-witted, razor-sharp instinct. It’s horrifying, and she is brilliant.
Lovie Simone and Lilimar are fantastic foils for one another. Mak is boisterous but ultimately submissive, while Rose is seemingly quiet, level-headed, and proactive. Their personality differences and ultimate teamwork drive their storyline forward as outside forces continue to pounce.
Simone gives Mak a striking physicality. Her distinct body language pulls you past the facade of a vapid young woman and leads you to root for her. Lilimar bears a striking resemblance to Angelina Jolie. Her whip-smart delivery is enthralling. She could effortlessly carry a film all her own. Their chemistry is undeniable. The banter feels both lived-in and fresh. It’s a beautiful pairing.
Stephen Boyer‘s editing is exhilarating. The fast pace and pulsing score, combined with neon-saturated lighting in the first 20 minutes, keep the adrenaline pumping. Amber Unkle‘s production design is spectacular. Savage leaves clues everywhere, some subtle, others blatant foreshadowing. Antonio Cisneros‘ camerawork is just super cool from beginning to end.
But don’t get distracted. There are multiple storylines. Each one adds fuel to the fire. Oddities is a freight train. Each beat gets stranger and more terrifying, with the film boasting one of the wildest final twists. I’m begging for more, as long as Lilimar is involved.
U.K. PREMIERE
AT FRIGHTFEST 2026
Monday, August 31st
HEIGHTENED
Steve Balderson‘s films are rather distinctive. Their lush visual impact sticks in your brain. His newest film, Alchemy of the Spirit, is no exception. Possessing a dreamy, even otherworldly look, Balderson makes the mundane glow. The quiet becomes claustrophobic. As the film begins, the sound editing alongside the score creates an unsettling feeling. The audience resides inside the manic mind of a grieving man. At 23 mins and 10 seconds into the film, we get a shot that elicits every emotion tied to this film. The symmetry, artistic and of two souls as one, is breathtaking. You will not miss it. There is a Picasso-esque madness to it. Balderson thought about its impact as it is the current key art for the film. Very smart. That sense of panic eases once introduced to a languid score of Debussy, Bach, and other classical beauty. While the darkness lies just under the surface, the screenplay’s nuances extend beyond what I expected from the first third of the film.
Sarah Clarke, as Evelyn, is chilling and beautiful. Her voice, combined with soul-piercing imagery, is haunting. The grounded chemistry between Clarke and Xander Berkeley plays with a familiarity of real-life lovers, which makes sense as the two actors have been married since 2002. Berkeley, who I recently lauded in 
The idea of “the proper way to grieve” is front and center. How do we honor the dead? How do we mark the life we have? Oliver creates a literal death mask both as a means to stop time and keep Evelyn’s spirit alive. We get to explore the meaning of life through memory. The film easily could have been a stage play. It is dripping with theatricality. Alchemy of the Spirit is a genre-bending ode to art and romance. It’s a visual love poem.
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