FrightFest 2025 announces line-up

by

FrightFest 2025 announces line-up.

James DeMonaco’s THE HOME and Kurtis David Harder’s INFLUENCERS to open and close 26th edition.

Full Festival Passes on sale from Sat 12 July, noon

Day Passes and Single tickets on sale from Sat 19 July, noon
Tickets Info Here

Get ready to experience the unusual, the thrilling, and the enchanting as FrightFest 2025, the leading horror & fantasy film festival in the UK, makes its comeback to The Odeon LUXE Leicester Square for a five-day celebration. This event will occupy seven screens, including the two at the ODEON Luxe West End.

From August 21st (Thursday) to August 25th (Monday), FrightFest will present sixty-nine movies from around the globe. These include twenty-five main screen debuts and forty-four films in the Discovery Screen category, such as the ‘First Blood’ series, recent genre documentaries, and a restored 4K version of a classic British horror film that significantly impacted the genre. Additionally, there will be regular short film showcases, which have been expanded to four separate screenings – more details on these will be shared later. This year, there are nineteen world premieres from fourteen different countries, covering four continents.

THE HOME

Alan Jones, a co-director, remarks: “FrightFest, now in its 26th year, continues to be the UK’s premier location for genre enthusiasts. Our 2025 edition promises to be extraordinary in every way, honoring the innovative, boundary-pushing, and diverse. Therefore, don’t miss out on this event that has consistently ranked among the Top Ten of The World’s Best Fantasy Festivals.

The event kicks off, thanks to Signature Entertainment, featuring the UK debut of “THE HOME“. Directed by James DeMonaco, known for creating the “The Purge” series, it’s an instant horror masterpiece that takes you on an electrifying journey into unadulterated suspense and sheer terror. Pete Davidson delivers a stellar performance as Max, a rebellious twenty-something who is assigned to do community service at a tranquil retirement home.

The final film screening is the debut in the UK for Kurtis David Harder’s production titled INFLUENCERS. After you thought travel was no longer risky, the enigmatic character CW appears on your social media and triggers your fear of missing out (FOMO) in the second thrilling installment of Shudder’s highly successful original series. Harder’s creative perspective is both sophisticated and eerie, making it a tantalizingly twisted masterpiece that’s likely to be one of the most buzzed-about genre films for the year.

INFLUENCERS

This year, directors who have significantly shaped the festival’s illustrious past and enduring tradition are making a strong comeback to the main stage. Erik Bloomquist is among them, bringing his latest horror sensation, SELF-HELP. Simon Rumley, an acclaimed director, is back with CRUSHED, his most brutal and uncompromising work to date. The celebrated Adams family are returning with MOTHER OF FLIES, a spiritual successor to their film Hellbender. Joe Begos is also present, offering Jimmy and Stiggs, a thrilling ride reminiscent of the Evil Dead and Bad Taste styles. FrightFest will be the first festival to screen the new version of this film, featuring additional footage by Eli Roth. Lastly, Neil Marshall will be presenting the World premiere 4K Restoration screening of THE DESCENT, with some of the original cast members also in attendance.

THE TOXIC AVENGER

Notable features on the main screen include:
– The premiere of “THE TOXIC AVENGER,” the eagerly anticipated reboot of the 1984 cult classic from Troma,
– “A SERBIAN DOCUMENTARY,” an enlightening film about that contentious movie,
– Toshiaki Toyoda’s “TRANSCENDING DIMENSIONS,” a violent, surreal fantasy that surpasses anything you’ve ever seen,
– Seth Daly’s debut, the mystical home invasion feature “THE ROWS,”
– Mercedes Bryce Morgan’s thriller “BONE LAKE,” which delves into sex and lies,
– “WHAT SHE DOESN’T KNOW,” a serial killer thriller co-written by Terry Castle, daughter of the iconic showman William Castle,
– And the McManus Brothers’ genre-bending sci-fi horror “REDUX REDUX” about a mother’s desperate search for a reality where her murdered daughter is still alive.

The primary display features an array of premieres: “ODYSSEY,” a chaotic, neon-drenched journey through London’s darker corners by Gerard Johnson; the world debut of “BAMBOO REVENGE,” where violence takes on a chilling new meaning; the intelligent sci-fi thriller, “COGNAITIVE,” exploring the growing concern of AI replacing jobs; suburban horror tale “HOLD THE FORT”; the suspenseful children’s story “MARSHMALLOW”; “NIGHT OF VIOLENCE,” a film by Illya Konstantin that delves into corporate horror; and the French comedy-thriller, “FLUSH,” offering an entertaining dive into unsavory realities.

JIMMY AND STIGGS

Additionally, there are world premieres for Chris Marrs Piliero’s chilling portrayal of deepfake technology misuse titled APPOFENIACS, Jeffrey Primm’s intelligent and suspenseful whodunnit horror 213 BONES, the intensely explosive TOMB WATCHER by Vatanyu Ingkaviat, and THE RED MASK, a hauntingly dark homage to the stalk-and-slash genre.

THE ROWS

This year’s Discovery strands continue to be daring and spine-tingling, featuring fresh and established talents from around the globe. The United States leads the pack with twenty-three submissions, such as “BORDERLINE” starring Samara Weaving, who returns for another lethal showdown following her success in “Ready Or Not”. Other entries include Patrick Rea’s chilling serial killer clown tale “SUPER HAPPY FUN CLOWN”, the bloody and hilarious “THE HAUNTED FOREST” by Keith Boynton, and “THE ARBORIST”, where MTV Viewers Choice award winner and internationally renowned director Andrew Mudge guides us on a folk horror adventure into the ominous unknown.

BORDERLINE

Among the premieres this time are:
– “Death Cycle” by Gabriel Carrer, a gripping revenge thriller with a giallo influence.
– “Human” by Matt Stuertz, an innovative body horror film.
– “Don’t Let the Cat Out,” a chilling tale directed by Tim Cruz.
– “Pig Hill,” a shocking film based on the Nancy Williams novel, offering a punk rock fever dream.
– “Blood Shine,” an adaptation of a Nancy Williams novel, exploring new territories in sadistic ritualism.
– “Noseeums” by Raven Carter, an impressive feature debut that combines elements of “Get Out” and “Candyman.”
– “Parasomnia,” a powerful shocker by James Ross that blurs the boundaries between dreams and nightmares.
– “Five,” where FrightFest welcomes back Dani Barker, who previously astounded us with her performance in “Follow Her.” This time, she’s back as director, co-writer, and actor, promising a horror comedy bound for cult status.

Domestic selections also feature:

* Kombucha, a corporate satire reminiscent of Cronenberg’s work
* Your Host, the world premiere of DW Medoff’s film starring Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley in the horror genre
* The Mannequin, a chiller where Jackie Earle Haley plays a killer dressed to impress
* In A Cold Vein, Cover, a twisted revenge tale where stamp collecting becomes lethal
* The Only Ones, A Blind Bargain, a slasher thriller where director Paul Bunnell reimagines a classic shocker
* Portal to Hell, an offbeat horror comedy blending demons and dilemmas
* The Other People, a suspenseful and unsettling thriller with a unique style
* The Confession, directed by Will Canon (FrightFest 2015 hit Demonic’s director) and presented by James Wan, is a haunting retelling of the Pied Piper story set in rural Texas.

BAMBI: THE RECKONING

We have two captivating films hailing from the UK:

1. “BAMBI: THE RECKONING,” a gripping and graphic reinterpretation of the classic 1923 novel and cherished 1942 Walt Disney tale, “Bambi.”

2. The cerebral thriller, “BLOCKHEAD,” marking the debut of Matt Harlock as a narrative feature director, who is renowned for his award-winning documentary, “American: The Bill Hicks Story.“

Next, we have the bold newcomers from Britain whose films make up the ‘First Blood’ category. This year, there are four World premiere films:

* “He Kills at Night,” a rollercoaster horror thriller by Tom Pickering
* “The Caretaker,” a mysterious thriller by Luke Tedder that focuses on character development
* “Healing Andy,” a horror comedy found footage film by Villablanca, entirely shot on an iPhone
* “The Haunting at Jack the Ripper’s House,” a chilling ghost story by Natasha Tosini and Stephen Staley, in which YouTubers become trapped in the infamous serial killer’s residence.

THE SERPENT’S SKIN

Welcome back to FrightFest Australia the esteemed transgender filmmaker Alice Maio Mackay, who presents her chilling and heartfelt examination of love, identity, and self-discovery titled “THE SERPENT’S SKIN“. Additionally, hailing from the same land, we have Parish Malfitano’s distinctly eerie horror film “SALT ALONG THE TONGUE“, which seamlessly blends witchcraft, spirit possession, and exorcism with captivating cinematic artistry.

FOREIGNER

We’re debuting “SICK PUPPY,” a gritty depiction of a serial killing couple by Jay Reid, as well as Ava Maria Safai’s “FOREIGNER,” which delves into the chilling consequences of assimilation and the eerie strength of an identity that’s denied. From New Zealand, we’re premiering internationally the flesh-eating horror “THE WEED EATERS.

SANE INSIDE INSANITY: THE ROCKY HORROR PHENOMENON

We have the Norwegian submission titled “ABOVE THE KNEE.” Following his quirky FrightFest entry “Good Boy,” Viljar Bøe brings us another thought-provoking tale about a man dealing with Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID). Meanwhile, Spanish director Juan Albarracín bases the plot of his film, titled “EL INSTINTO / INSTINCT,” around the mental condition known as agoraphobia.

This year, I’m captivated by documentaries focusing on iconic figures in cinema. One that stands out is “Captured Souls: In Conversation with Graham Humphreys,” where director Chris Collier delves into the life and enduring influence of the UK’s most renowned horror illustrator, Graham Humphreys. On a lighter note, there’s “Where is Juan Moctezuma?”, a whimsical mockumentary by Alaric S. Rocha that playfully investigates the vanishing act of legendary 1970s Mexican horror filmmaker, Juan F. Moctezuma.

Another notable figure was Andy Milligan, who was a pioneer in avant-garde theater, a trailblazer of early Queer cinema, and one of the most contentious talents in exploitation/horror history. In “THE DEGENERATE: THE LIFE & FILMS OF ANDY MILLIGAN,” the true story of ‘The Fassbinder of 42nd Street’ is finally revealed.

Would you consider taking a journey into the ‘time vortex’? What is the mystery that propelled The Rocky Horror Picture Show to fame? In its 50th anniversary year, Andreas Zerr’s book SANE INSIDE INSANITY: THE ROCKY HORROR PHENOMENON delves into the entire story, from a simple two-page script penned in crayon to an Off West End hit, a failed film adaptation, and a global Midnight Movie cult sensation. Featuring fascinating archive footage, fresh interviews with key cast members, and an abundance of trivia, this is the definitive account about the Queen Mother of B movie musicals.

Lastly, FrightFest unveils two exceptional Animated masterpieces. The initial one, hailing from Latvia, is the UK debut of DOG OF GOD, a historical portrayal of the most renowned werewolf trial in Northern Europe. Brace yourselves for an extravaganza of werewolves, erotic gatherings, witches, and sorcerers.

The second presentation hails from South Korea, titled “GILL,” which was created by Director Jae-huun Ahn, who is recognized for his work in Korean animation. His studio, Meditation with a Pencil, has previously produced critically acclaimed works such as “Green Days” and “The Shaman Sorceress.

Details about the artists performing at the festival, along with information on our Short Film Showcases and other events, will be shared with you shortly.

Read More

2025-07-10 19:39