by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport & Editor in Chief

“Step right up for the greatest show on Earth!”

On Thursday I will be headed to Austin, Texas for the world’s largest genre festival, Fantastic Fest. Heading into its 19th year, the event will take place at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar cinema starting September 19 until September 26. The eclectic line-up invites patrons to witness a “cavalcade of wonders from around the globe” and will feature 28 world premieres, 23 International and North American premieres and 15 U.S. Premieres.

As a cinephile, my main focus will be the flicks. However, Fantastic Fest is also know for their stupendous guests, killer parties, and spectacular events. Some of the happenings include a Ghoulish Book Fair and a circus themed drag show hosted by the legendary Louisianna Purcahse. I am particularly excited for some of the restorations and rare films that will be showcased, compliments of American Genre Film Archive (AGFA); some of which will screen on 35mm.

I am so excited to experience my first Fantastic Fest and am hopeful to find some new favorite watches. With the carnival atmosphere this promises to be a showstopping extravaganza! If you’re headed to the Lone Star state too, here’s some of my top flick picks. Some of these I managed to catch at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) (which means they most definitely have my seal of approval) and I have also included some of my most anticipated. If you see me there, don’t be shy… say hello! I’ll have some MovieJawn goodies with me such as our miniature movie zine (get a sneak peek here).

Apartment 7A
Written by
Directed by Natalie Erika James
World Premiere September 20

I was in awe of Natalie Erika James’s impressive debut feature film Relic (2020) as it explores one of the most terrifying and horrific aspects that none of us can run away from: old age. I was beyond fortunate to see the premiere of this film at Sundance in 2020 and it haunted me for quite some time. Saying this movie freaked me out is an understatement… it left me sleepless. 

When I saw that her sophomore feature was premiering at Fantastic Fest I was ecstatic. Apartment 7A serves as a prequel to the famed Rosemary's Baby and, given the lush trailer, it is unfortunate that Paramount has elected to make this a direct to stream venture. I was fortunate enough to catch a screener of this and I must say, if you’re in town for Fantastic Fest, make sure to catch this on the silver screen. For those that inevitably will have to catch it at home though, there is no reason to fret as I am sure the devil will still manage to razzle dazzle his way into your heart. Apartment 7A will make its debut on on Paramount+ September 27. Stay tuned for my full review.

Dead Talents Society
Directed by John Hsu
US Premiere September 20

You may recall that I included Dead Talents Society on my most anticipated watches for TIFF… well, I am happy to report that that it is worth a watch. A gaggle of ghosts pine to become the most spookiest, terrifying, and frightful lot in the underworld. In order to remain a spectral spirit, expired souls must regularly spook the living to ensure they secure a “haunter’s license”. This documentation keeps them from permanently expiring. For most, this is not a scary predicament. However for the demure and meek, this is a one way ticket to their demise… for a second time. This supernatural dark comedy is a heck of a lot of fun and just the right amount of spooky silly.

Else
Directed by Thibault Emin
US Premiere September 21

I caught Else at an 8:35AM screening at TIFF and whoa! it was a heck of a lot of movie. Even being forewarned by my partner in crime, Benjamin, who had caught the movie the night before at the Midnight Madness event, I still found myself overwhelmed by this hypnotic feature debut from Thibault Emin. The story takes place at an unknown time when the world finds iteself in an unusual epidemic that causes infected humans to morph into their surroundings. Else is a movie to behold and should most definitely be experienced, preferably under the pale moonlight rather than at the start of the day. The visuals are stunning and the special effects are incredible. With other 2024 motion picture releases such as this, The Substance, Nightbitch and Shell, it is clear that body horror is having a moment.

The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee
Directed by Justin Hardy
North American premiere September 22

Christopher Lee has such an enchanting presence on screen and a voice that has the ability to immediately put me at ease. Over the years, I have adored many of his films, in particular Dracula and Son, Corridors of Blood and Count Dracula (shout out to his mustache in this flick). It was a no-brainer adding this documentary to my watchlist, especially after reading the taglilne: “Aristocrat. Scholar. Swordsman. Spy. Nazi Hunter. Opera Singer. And then… He became a film star.” I can’t wait to learn more about this iconic film star and his incredible life.

A Different Man
Directed by Aaron Schimberg
Texas premiere September 22

I was thrilled to see Aaron Schimberg’s feature A Different Man included on the line-up. I loved his film, Chained for Life (2018) that was a movie within a movie that comments on and examines social farsightedness that starred Adam Pearson. In A Different Man, Schimberg once again teams with Adam Pearson to tell the tale of an actor that, after facial reconstructive surgery, finds himself in a living nightmare. When he is turned down for a role he feels that he was born to play, he becomes fixated on the actor that got the part. I have been champing at the bit to watch this flick ever since hearing all the buzz after the world premiere at Sundance. And I’d be lying if I said that having Sebastian Stan star didn’t pique my interest also.

The Rule of Jenny Pen
Directed by James Ashcroft
World Premiere September 19

This still image alone sold me on The Rule of Jenny Pen. I will watch any movie featuring a doll, a mannequin, or a puppet. Having one of these three in a motion picture guarantees a zany experience. With John Lithgow sporting the puppet, I believe things are going to get nuts. My theory seems to be on the right track after I read the Fantastic Fest description which mentions The Rule of Jenny Pen as having the same “perverse joy” as the 1962 picture, What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? starring Joan Crawford and Bette Davis.

When a former judge suffers a stroke, he finds himself bed-ridden in an old folks home. While laid up he must find a way to stop a fellow patient who utilizes a child’s puppet to abuse the residents in terrifying ways. Geoffrey Rush plays the judge and, between him and Lithgow, I think this film will be a real treat. My hope is that it does not hold back and simply gets absolutely bat shit.

Stay tuned for more of my dispatches while at Fantastic Fest. In the meantime you can find the entire schedule and ticket information here.