by Tori Potenza, Staff Writer

I am very excited to report that I am traveling across the pond this week to attend my first FrightFest in London. This film festival is the UKs largest independent genre film festival. The fest began in 2000 and over the years has grown into a hub for horror and genre film lovers to come together and see an array of exciting up and coming films as well as undiscovered gems. This year the festival will run from Thursday August 22nd to Monday August 26th, and in that time they will showcase 69 diverse features from all over the world, all in the heart of the bustling city of London. 

While I am thrilled to just have a chance to travel internationally for the first time in several years and see some of my favorite writers and critics in person, I am also excited about many of the films that will be playing throughout the week. There are several films that have made their premieres at festivals this year that attendees are sure to be excited about, but there are also some lesser known indie and genre films that folks may be hearing about and discovering for the very first time. And while I am excited to see the gorgeous 4k remaster of one of my favorite films, The Hitcher, from Second Sight Films, I should take the opportunity to highlight some of the many new features making their appearance at the festival. 

Azrael
Written by Simon Barrett
Directed by E.L. Katz
UK Premiere August 25, tickets here

Over the past few years Samara Weaving has become a favorite lead amongst horror fans. From The Babysitter to Ready or Not she’s proven to be a force of nature in front of the camera. So it is interesting that she will be playing a mute character in E.L. Katz’s (The Haunting of Bly Manor) Azrael. From the description it seems to be a new folk horror film. Weaving plays a woman fighting for her freedom from a religious cult that hopes to sacrifice her to their deity. But I have a feeling this is going to pack quite a punch considering the writer is the long time writing partner of Adam Wingard (You’re Next, The Guest), Simon Barrett. With that in mind this is sure to be an energetic and action packed blood bath that will be great to see with an audience. 

Generation Terror
Directed by Sarah Appleton and Phillip Escott
World Premiere August 26, tickets here

If you’re a 90s millennial like myself, it might seem a little crazy that we are already looking back at the history of horror at the turn of the millennium, but alas here we are. The documentary takes a look at the global film industry to lend insight into why there was such a boom in horror as we went into the 2000s. Generation Terror is filled with a plethora of thoughtful talking heads who look at franchises such as Scream, Saw, Final Destination amongst other films to lend their expertise and give historic background and context into the horror boom. Film industry buffs like Neil Marshall, Vincenzo Natali, Adam Wingard, and James Wan are just a few of the insightful horror lovers you get to hear from. 

Ghost Game
Written by Adam Cesare
Directed by Jill Gevargizian
International Premiere August 23, tickets here

If you are unfamiliar with Jill Gevargizian you really should check out her incredible 2020 feature The Stylist. And if you are familiar with her then here is your chance to see her latest feature Ghost Game. The film follows a couple participating in an internet challenge to live, undetected, in the home of someone else. But when they break into a haunted house they must hide from the family and protect themselves against potential paranormal threats. Gevargizian has a very unique style and vision so it will be interesting to see what her next feature has cooked up for us. She also collaborated with Adam Cesare (writer of the Clown in a Cornfield series of books) who wrote the screenplay. Given the love genre fans have for both of these talented individuals this film is certain to be a fun ride. 

Strange Darling
Written and Directed by JT Mollner
International Premiere August 24, tickets here

If you are anything like me and heard the Strange Darling hype last year when it premiered at Fantastic Fest, then you are probably eagerly awaiting your chance to see this action packed serial killer story. The film stars genre film favorite Kyle Gallner (Dinner in America, Smile) along with Willa Fitzgerald (The Fall of the House of Usher) and other than that information you may not want to know much more. Gallner himself has stated that Strange Darling is best experienced if you go in as blind as possible. So if you can avoid the trailers and reviews and see what surprises this one has awaiting you. 

Boutique: To Preserve and Collect
Directed by Ry Levey
World Premiere August 24, tickets here 

I should first give you full disclosure that I am one of the talking heads in this particular documentary but given that it is about something I, and many other genre fans, are passionate about, I think others will be very excited about this. In an entertainment world that is fueled by the internet and streaming services,  Boutique focuses on the history of physical media and the rise of specialty collector labels who painstakingly restore and release genre cult classics, many of which you may not see on your streaming services. The documentary features popular labels like Severin, Vinegar Syndrome, and Criterion. They talk to collectors, historians, filmmakers, and the label CEOs to discuss why, in a digital world, physical media is still so important. 

Editor’s note: Here at MovieJawn, we love physical media and have an entire column entitled Disc Dispatch dedicated to spotlighting releases that should be added to your home library.

A Desert
Written by Bossi baker and Joshua Erkman
Directed by Joshua Erkman
European Premiere August 26, tickets here

A Desert is one that I have just heard rumblings about over the last few months. While alone in a derelict desert town, a photographer befriends a local couple who quickly turn his world upside down. While the story seems straightforward enough, I expect that there are some unexpected twists and turns along the way from how I have heard it talked about. This neo-noir promises to be a haunting and strange ride. This is Erkman’s debut feature and I believe it is one that will make folks excited for his next. 

The Substance
Written and Directed by Coralie Fargeat
UK Premiere August 26, tickets here

Coralie Fargeat blew many people away, myself included, with her 2017 rape revenge feature Revenge. So this has been one of the films on the top of my “most anticipated” pile since I heard about it. Described as a feminist body horror, it's a story about the lengths women may go to maintain their youth. It stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid and from the trailers it looks to be a promising follow up feature for Fargeat. When it premiered at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year it received wildly mixed reviews with plenty of love and just as much hate, which frankly makes me even more excited to see what it has under its sleeve. 

There are plenty other features being showcased this year so definitely do your research and see what interesting genre finds there are amongst these others I mentioned.  I will be reporting back throughout the festival with thoughts on what I’ve seen so stay tuned for more. 

For a full list of the FrightFest lineup and information on tickets and badges check out their website.