Fantasia 2018: Zena’s Ten Most Anticipated Horror Films
Zena Dixon
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I must gush about attending Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. I enjoy film festivals, but this is the Maybach of all horror festivals. Films that once graced these Montreal screens are films that have become iconic in today’s world. Therefore, to witness the 2018 films that will become iconic in our future is an honor and a pleasure.
This is the 22nd year of Fantasia International Film Festival and it takes place July 13th to August 1st, 2018. More information can be found on their official website.
Let me know which films you’re interested in checking out in the comments!
Tales From the Hood 2
“Rusty Cundieff and Darin Scott for an all-new gripping, horrifying and oftentimes devilishly comical anthology. Keith David stars as a contemporary Mr. Simms to tell bloodcurdling stories about lust, greed, pride and politics through tales with demonic dolls, possessed psychics, vengeful vixens and historical ghosts. Mr. Simms’s haunting stories will make you laugh… while you scream.”
I enjoyed the original in 1995 and have looked forward to a sequel ever since. I respect directors Rusty Cundieff and Darin Scott, and am pleased to be among the first to witness their newest creation.
Unfriended: Dark Web
“When a 20-something finds a cache of hidden files on his new laptop, he and his friends are unwittingly thrust into the depths of the dark web. They soon discover someone has been watching their every move and will go to unimaginable lengths to protect the dark web.”
There are two reasons to see this film: the trailer is disturbing and Betty Gabriel can do no wrong.
The Man Who Killed Hitler and then The Bigfoot
“A legendary American war veteran is recruited to hunt a mythical creature.”
Sam Elliot always steals the spotlight in any film he’s in. Put him in a movie with this title, and I expect nothing less than pure enjoyment.
The Dark
“Once upon a dark, dark time, there was a girl, lonely, undead and bloodthirsty. Behind her a dark, dark past – a curse. Hidden in the dark, dark woods, she tirelessly haunts her childhood home. Mina (Nadia Alexander) is a damaged soul, and tears to pieces anyone who dares enter her hunting ground. When she meets Alex (Toby Nichols), a disfigured and blind boy, brought to her by mysterious circumstances, her animalistic cannibal instincts seem to strangely fade away. As this uncanny friendship grows, little by little, both of these lost children learn how to reach out to the hints of light left within.”
I’ve followed Justin P. Lange’s career for the past five years, which includes his pursuit of The Dark. I’m thrilled to see the result of his diligence.
Rokuroku: The Promise of the Witch
“Classic Japanese spirits terrorize modern Japan in this absolutely bonkers fright fest co-directed by Yudai Yamaguchi (Meatball Machine, The ABCs of Death) and Keita Amemiya (Zeram).”
The angles, costume design, and CG work of the trailer hooked me to this film.
Montréal Dead End
“A supernatural mist is seeping through the cracks of the city, causing various evil enchantments related to the neighbourhood from which it escapes, waking up a dark spirit here, a vengeful ghost there, releasing a plethora of terrifying creatures, possessing numerous citizens and even turning some of them into zombies, or entities from the beyond.”
This will be my first time in Montreal. I take pleasure in being warned about any city’s dark side.
Nightmare Cinema
“Centering on a group of down-on-their-luck individuals who enter the decrepit Rialto Theatre, their deepest and darkest fears are brought to life onscreen by The Projectionist (Angel Heart’s Mickey Rourke), a mysterious, ghostly figure who holds the nightmarish futures of all who attend — and cannot escape — his screenings.”
When I first heard about this anthology I literally screamed with glee! I’m a huge fan of Mick Garris’ Masters of Horror along with the other directors attached on this project Joe Dante, David Slade, Ryuhei Kitamura and Alejandro Brugues.
Playing Hard
“The human tale behind the creation of a blockbuster game.”
My family and I are gamers. I have to see this film for us and for the rest of the gaming community.
Piercing
“A man kisses his wife and baby goodbye and seemingly heads away on business, with a plan to check into a hotel, call an escort service, and kill an unsuspecting prostitute.”
Director/Writer Nicolas Pesce said the film Audition inspired him. That’s enough to intrigue me to experience this storyline. And with Mia Wasikowska as the lead, how can anyone miss this film.
The Witch in the Window
“When Simon brings his twelve year-old son, Finn, to rural Vermont to help flip an old farmhouse, they encounter the malicious spirit of Lydia, a previous owner. And now with every repair they make – she’s getting stronger.”
I can’t get enough of filmmakers taking regular objects and terrifying us with them. Although a window has been used in many horror films, turning one into the center point of a horror guarantees originality.
BONUS
Luz
“Luz, a young cabdriver, drags herself into the brightly lit entrance of a run-down police station. A demonic entity follows her, determined to finally be close to the woman it loves.”
The trailer’s cinematography alone commands your attention. Additionally, what results from one of the main character’s dialogue scares the crap out of me.
In addition to contributing to Dread Central, Zena Dixon has been writing about all things creepy and horrific for over six years at RealQueenofHorror.com. She has always loved horror films and will soon be known directing her own feature-length horror. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @LovelyZena.
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