2024 Fantastic Film Festival Review
I cherish every time I get to attend the Fantastic Film Festival in Austin, Texas. A week full of movies that are almost perfectly aligned with my taste that are shown with ardent movie lovers? It’s paradise. And 2024 is no different.
I watched 32 films which averaged a 6.84/10 rating from me, which means I saw plenty of excellent films here.
For the most part, I was able to see every movie that I wanted this year. This year neo-noir Gazer and a double feature of two Dutch films, Heresy and Binary, are the only ones outside my grip. Gazer has plans for some theatrical release in 2025 and word is still out on the other two. One retrospective screening of Disembodied also piqued my interest, but it looks like it will be getting a Vinegar Syndrome release soon enough.
Without further ado, here are the 32 films I watched at this year’s Fantastic Film Festival and my personal ranking of how much I enjoyed them.
32. Satan War (Director: Bart La Rue; United States)
A young couple is terrorized by a dark force that inhabits their newly acquired suburban home. Satan War is a poor, regional attempt at riffing The Amityville Horror. It’s commendable that it was made with such a scrappy production story, but it is an overall underwhelming and irritating experience, nonetheless. Unconvincing performances, a dragging story, and muddied camerawork make Satan War an easy skip for anyone but B-movie aficionados.
Full Review: See Here (N/A)
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD)
31. What Happened to Dorothy Bell? (Director: Danny Villanueva Jr.; United States)
At the prompting of her therapist, a sensitive, introverted young adult is compelled to uncover the mystery behind her childhood trauma that involves her deceased grandmother. What Happened to Dorothy Bell? is a generic found footage horror film that doesn’t stray from the formula that the sub-genre has well-established in the last two decades. Aside from Asya Meadows steady performance and some semi-interesting lore, there isn’t much behind this first-person haunter.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD)
30. She Loved Blossoms More (Director: Yannis Veslemes; Greece/France/New Zealand)
At the behest of their father, three brothers build a time-machine to bring back their deceased mother. A hazy sci-fi horror film, She Loved Blossoms More is a meditation on grief and the ways it destroys and shapes us all the same. The creativity of its special effects and cinematography is dragged down by its glacial pacing. I wanted nothing more than to love a movie that features an interdimensional chicken head and talking vagina flowers. But alas…
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD)
29. House of Spoils (Director: Bridget Savage Cole, Danielle Krudy; United States)
After working years in her mentor’s kitchen, an up-and-coming chef takes on a gig as Head Chef for a swanky restaurant in the sticks. As she gets everything setup, a presence from a previous occupant sabotages her every step of the way. House of Spoils is a middling supernatural horror film that engages in familiar scare tactics before ending on a sour note. The film rests on both Ariana DeBose’s and the set designer’s shoulders, as the remaining threads are mediocre at best.
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Where to Watch: See Here
28. Frankie Freako (Director: Steven Kostanski; Canada)
An uptight man calls a late-night hotline on a whim to spice up his life and ends up terrorized by a small crew of extraterrestrial goblin creatures. For those that love silly humor, Frankie Freako is a quirky horror comedy that is likely up your alley. For everyone else, its shade of comedy is likely not going to be to their liking. It gets points for its imaginative worldbuilding, puppetry, and set design that does enough to take the heat off its dull protagonist.
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Where to Watch: See Here
27. Touched by Eternity (Director: Marcis Lacis; Latvia)
Cynical about the world yet determined to live forever, a misanthrope searches for a method of immortality when he is visited by two vampires. Another horror comedy with a unique sense of humor, Touched by Eternity is an incredibly dry and sarcastic take on vampires, opting to highlight the absurdity and irritation immortality would bring. Some neat visuals and great jokes make the otherwise okay story more engaging.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD)
26. Trizombie (Director: Bob Colaers; Belgium)
A rapidly spreading virus spreads over Europe, turning all infected with zombies with the exception of anyone with Down Syndrome. Sweet, funny, and unexpectedly gory, Trizombie is an engaging yet unevenly paced horror comedy that champions storytelling for an often-forgotten group. Despite its premise, Trizombie never forgets that it is a horror film and ensures that the danger is always present, keeping the protagonists, and audiences, on their toes.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD)
25. The Severed Sun (Director: Dean Puckett; United Kingdom)
In a small village, men are being murdered by a strange beast in the woods when a few townsfolk start to believe a young woman ii to blame after inviting the Devil into their community. The Severed Sun is such an interesting movie even if it doesn’t fully commit to its premise. Addressing corruption within religion and the sexism that is intertwined, The Severed Sun tells a familiar story of rage and revenge. It also features an incredibly cool creature design that is a nice breath of fresh air in the subgenre.
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Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD)
24. Never Let Go (Director: Alexandre Aja; United States)
After the world ended, a small family works together to survive in a forest populated by evil spirits. Never Let Go is a twisty story of love and family that works more because of its strong leads and nightmarish visuals than its predictable plot. Halle Berry particularly gets to have fun with her performance pushing audiences to question what is real and what isn’t. It’s big budget but still has a feeling of intimacy that is lacking from Hollywood spectacles.
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Where to Watch: See Here
23. Raze (Director: Josh C. Waller; United States)
Kidnapped women are forced to fight to the death in an underground death match where they are fighting not only for their lives, but also the lives of their unsuspecting loved ones. It’s impossible not to cringe at every crunch, snap, and thud in Raze. Portrayed by mostly Hollywood stuntwomen, the cast do great work ensuring that each fight is raw, powerful, and unique. Its story might be thin, but the choreography and tension alone give it enough boost to be a cut above most in its subgenre.
Full Review: See Here (N/A)
Where to Watch: See Here
22. Sister Midnight (Director: Karan Kandhari; United Kingdom)
A young woman goes on a journey of finding purpose in her life after getting married, moving to the city, and turning into a vampire. Sister Midnight is a charming and sleek updated take on the vampire tale. Darkly comic with a compelling lead, it is truly a film unlike any other and accessible due to its genre-bending sensibilities.
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Where to Watch: See Here
21. Apartment 7A (Director: Natalie Erika James; United States/Australia/United Kingdom)
A prequel to the classic horror hit Rosemary’s Baby, Apartment 7A follows a young woman struggling to achieve her dreams suffering an injury in a previous show. Julia Garner’s performance and director Natalie Erika James’s command of the picture outweigh its familiar and predestined story. It’s never quite creepy enough but a few excellent sequences involving elaborate choreography and a unique devil design make it a sufficient attempt.
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Where to Watch: See Here
20. The Draft! (Director: Yusron Fuadi; Indonesia)
Five college students travel to a remote villa where they face off against a relentless, omnipotent force. The Draft! is Indonesia’s answer to The Cabin in the Woods. Twisty, comical, and bursting with earnestness, The Draft! hits more than it misses. Its high concept gets stretched thin a few times, but the creative ways it maneuvers around its conflict makes for an enjoyable approach to meta horror.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD)
19. Chainsaws Were Singing (Director: Sander Maran; Estonia)
A pair of star-crossed lovers are pursued by a family of chainsaw wielding cannibals in this Estonian horror rom-com musical. Midnight movie madness at its finest, Chainsaws Were Singing is an amusing experiment in putting everything on the table. Its horror and comedy elements far outstrip its romance and musical counterparts, but it makes sense when you understand the Director wants to lampoon those genres. Impossible to forget, Chainsaws Were Singing is a gut-bustingly hilarious addition to the genre.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD)
18. Little Bites (Director: Spider One; United States)
A desperate mother offers herself up to a monster in exchange for protecting her daughter from harm, which works until the monster’s insatiable appetite grows stronger. Little Bites is a deliberate, metaphorical take on abusive relationships using vampirism as its vehicle of choice. It may be a bit too on-the-nose at times, but Krsy Fox’s commanding performance and Spider One’s flair for building tension make up for what the story lacks, especially its puzzling choice for an ending.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here
17. Respati (Director: Sidharta Tata; Indonesia/South Korea)
Following the death of his parents in a fatal car crash, a teenager discovers his ability to appear in other’s dreams which links him back to a horrifying generational curse threatening all of his remaining loved ones. Respati is chock full of nightmarish imagery and Hollywood level frights which distracts from its simple, familiar story. Mixing coming-of-age tropes with Indonesian horror staples, Respati is a thoroughly entertaining riff on A Nightmare on Elm Street that never feels like it oversteps.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD)
16. Parvulos (Director: Isaac Ezban; Mexico)
Three brothers work together to survive after the apocalypse while grappling with their unwanted thrust into adulthood. Parvulos is a harrowing examination on male adolescence that balances terror, comedy, and hope in a fresh way. Aside from a tonally inconsistent twenty minutes, Parvulos carves out enough space in the post-apocalyptic horror space to stand out. Director Isaac Ezban continues to make interesting genre projects that challenge as much as they excite, and Parvulos is no exception.
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Where to Watch: See Here
15. Get Away (Director: Steggen Haars; United Kingdom)
A family vacations to an island with a sordid history and get more than they bargain for when they disrupt the local’s private ceremony commemorating a horrible tragedy. Playing into the tropes of both vacation horror and folk horror, Get Away satirizes the genres with clever dialogue and memorable characters. By the time it reaches its bonkers third act, it has delivered on a series of scares and twists that make the gore-soaked finale all the more satisfying.
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Where to Watch: See Here
14. Terrifier 3 (Director: Damien Leone; United States)
Art the Clown returns to Miles County during Christmastime to wreak havoc on survivors Sienna and Jonathan’s lives. Terrifier 3 is more of the same from a consistently lean, mean slasher franchise yet is arguably the best yet. What it lacks in story it makes up for in its iconic characters, memorable scares, and fantastic visual effects work. David Howard Thorton and Lauren LaVera continue to expand their characters in fun and interesting ways making the franchise feel fresh even on its third iteration. Slasher fans rejoice!
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here
13. Ick (Director: Joseph Kahn; United States)
An alien organism lays dormant for years on earth due to apathy before springing to life and attacking the populace. Fast-paced gateway sci-fi horror with a kickass soundtrack, Ick is a stylish take on the alien invasion sub-genre that is sure to catch you off guard. Whip-smart dialogue, a great cast, and memorable characters demand attention as much as its timely commentary on passivity in the face of danger.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD?)
12. The Birthday (Director: Eugenio Mira; Spain)
A socially awkward man wrestles with various issues at his girlfriend’s father’s birthday party before finding himself in the middle of a terrifying conspiracy. Starting with some of the most irritating character work before transforming into a captivating apocalyptic spectacle, The Birthday is a twisted horror comedy that keeps its cards close to its chest the entirety of its runtime. A breathless performance from Corey Feldman and an excellent script keeps the mystery alive before it erupts into its chaotic third act.
Full Review: See Here (N/A)
Where to Watch: See Here
11. MadS (Director: David Moreau; France)
On his way home from scoring an experiment drug, a teenager crosses paths with a mysterious, injured women, setting off a chain of terrifying events in his small town. MadS is an absolute fever dream of horror film that not only maintains but builds upon its opening momentum in exciting ways. Leaning into its hallucinatory story, it trusts viewers to make up their mind on the dizzying sequences of events while never giving them more than a moment’s respite to process the seemingly never-ceasing, mile-a-minute trauma splayed onscreen.
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Where to Watch: See Here
10. Bone Lake (Director: Mercedes Bryce Morgan; United States)
When two young couples decide to split their double-booked vacation rental, their awkward introduction spirals into a weekend of psychosexual mayhem. Campy, gory, and thoroughly entertaining, Bone Lake is a fun little horror film that makes no apologies for its strange sensibilities. The four leads look like they are having a blast, and the story gets absolutely wild in its third act. Interesting commentary about the nature of relationships and what makes them strong or not helps Bone Lake differentiate itself from other Airbnb horrors.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD?)
9. The Rule of Jenny Pen (Director: James Ashcroft; New Zealand)
A former Judge faces off against a psychopathic resident of a care facility after suffering a debilitating stroke. On paper, The Rule of Jenny Pen is a strange sell, but accomplished actors John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush make the elderly battle of wits exciting and affecting. Focusing on the horrors of aging while giving its protagonist agency, it subverts many pitfalls of the sub-genre to make it special. Its twisted and darkly comic story is one that demands your attention.
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Where to Watch: See Here
8. Mr. Crocket (Director: Brandon Espy; United States)
Following the death of her husband, a mother’s son develops an unhealthy obsession with a television show leading to his abduction by the demonic host with a proclivity for kidnapping children. Mr. Crocket is a fun supernatural slasher that knows exactly how to terrify and excite. A captivating performance by Elvis Nolasco in the titular role and the film’s twisted set design bring the cautionary tale of children’s media consumption to life.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here
7. Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire (Director: Sturt Ortiz; United States)
Two detectives track a serial killer terrorizing the Inland Empire and uncover his satanic intentions. Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire is a positively evil movie in the best way. Shocking and scaring its viewers through its description and depiction of horrific murders, it’s hard to walk away unnerved. It’s easy to forgive the liberties it takes with footage that a documentary would never show while it is impossible to forgive its integration of generative AI images used for the victims.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD?)
6. Cloud (Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa; Japan)
A reclusive dropshipper finds himself in the middle of a murder conspiracy after he rips off one too many customers. Thrilling and thought provoking, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud is an excellent meditation on the pitfalls of greed and how stupid it makes people. Mixing horror and dark comedy conventions, the story takes care to develop its characters beyond stereotypes to make their final standoff memorable and impactful.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD?)
5. Daddy’s Head (Director: Benjamin Barfoot; United Kingdom)
A mysterious creature takes on the form of a boy’s recently deceased father and terrorizes him and his stepmother. Dark, affecting, and powerful, Daddy’s Head is a riveting take on the creature feature that unsettles with its bizarre creature and raw depiction of grief. Strong cinematography, visual effects, creature design, and performances bring the odd story to life in what could have easily been a schlocky streaming movie.
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Where to Watch: See Here
4. V/H/S/Beyond (Director: Jay Cheel, Jordan Downey, Christian Long, Justin Long, Justin Martinez, Virta Pal, Kate Siegel; United States)
Six stories of found footage mayhem with a science fiction twist are presented anthology style. The V/H/S franchise has been on a hot streak since V/H/S/94 and this latest entry is no exception. Creative, exciting, and all-together scary, V/H/S/Beyond proves there is still juice in the sub-genre many have claimed has run out of steam for years. This entry in particular revels in its special effects prowess, so fans of creature features have plenty to indulge in here.
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Where to Watch: See Here
3. Else (Director: Thibault Emin; Belgium/France)
Two people attempt to ride out a strange pandemic inside an apartment building while the world outside, and all the living beings in it, transforms in weird and terrifying ways. Else is a terrifying and touching horror that imagines a world where the horror of true connection takes over. Visually stunning, Else brings its impossible world to life in the coolest ways, a dream for any lover of special effects work.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD?)
2. Heretic (Director: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods; United States)
A pair of Mormon missionaries visit the home of a strange man who locks them into a battle of wits that will test their faith. Favoring the implication of terror through clever dialogue and a riveting screenplay, Heretic questions all sides in the debate of religion to settle the score on what the true problem lies with in society. Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East give incredible performances, making the simple setup come to life in glorious ways.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here
1. Dead Talent’s Society (Director: John Hsu; Taiwan)
A ghost must become a professional scarer lest she disappear in the afterlife. Dead Talent’s Society is easily the sweetest horror film released this year. Crafting memorable characters, organic laughs, and even satirizing Asian horror tropes, it brings its high concept to life with all the panache it demands of its professional scare influencers. Perhaps its most dazzling attribute is its throughline of staying true to yourself even if others don’t believe in you or declare you a loser, with a twist, of course.
Full Review: See Here
Where to Watch: See Here (Wide Release TBD?)
Final Words on Festival:
With only 6 films not being to my taste, Fantastic Fest 2024 becomes another excellent year the Fest. I look forward to attending again in 2025!
