Fantastic Fest 2025: Horror Films We Might See on This Year’s Lineup
Ash
It’s officially August Aug-tober, people! That means we can really start ramping up the hype for Fantastic Fest! The fest takes place at the South Lamar Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX from September 18-25.
The lineup is typically released mid-August, so I thought it would be fun to run through a few films that we might see on the schedule.
Mother of Flies
Billed as a “haunted fairytale,” this one screened at both Fantasia Fest in Montreal and FrightFest in London. I missed the directing team’s Hellbender when it was on the festival circuit a few years ago, but it’s been on my watchlist ever since. If Mother of Flies lands at Fantastic Fest, I’ll be queuing it up ASAP.
Directed By: John Adams, Zelda Adams, Toby Poser
Written By: John Adams, Zelda Adams, Toby Poser
Summary: When a young woman faces a deadly diagnosis, she seeks dark magic from a witch in the woods. But every cure has its cost.
IT: Welcome To Derry
Last year, Fantastic Fest gave us a sneak peek at Shudder’s The Creep Tapes, so it’s not a stretch to think we might get a taste of the IT prequel series Welcome to Derry. I’m fully hyped to see Bill Skarsgård return as Pennywise.
Starring: Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Taylour Paige, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Bill Skarsgård
Summary: Following the events in the 1960s, the time leading up to the events of the first film in the Stephen King "It" series.
The Book of Sijjin and Illiyyin
This Indonesian horror film recently screened at Fantasia Fest to rave reviews and currently sits at 8.3 on IMDb. If I know anything about Indonesian horror, it’s that it will be unforgettable (to say the least). It feels like something perfectly slated for Fantastic Fest’s lineup and like something that will permanently scar our eyeballs.
Directed By: Hadrah Daeng Ratu
Written By: Lele Laila, Ersan Özer
Summary: A woman who uses black magic to cast a curse on a family. As a result of the black magic sent, the family members experience scary events one by one that threaten their safety.
Bamboo Revenge
Single location horror. French. Killer bamboo. Sign me UP.
Directed By: Edgar Marie
Summary: After a party, three male friends wake up tied to the ground in a forest. Eve, who suspects them of being responsible for her sister’s disappearance, has planted a special variety of fast growing bamboo right under them. Either they confess, or they die impaled before the end of the day.
Appofeniacs
Not a lot of information is available for this movie, but the AI subject matter feels incredibly relevant for today’s horror. Looking forward to learning more about this one.
Directed By: Chris Marrs Piliero
Written By: Chris Marrs Piliero
Summary: Appofeniacs' explores themes of psychological horror and dark satire, focusing on the dangers of deepfake technology and its impact on truth in a digital age.
The Black Phone 2
Given Austinite C. Robert Cargill’s involvement, this one feels like a sure bet for Fantastic Fest. I loved his and Scott Derrickson’s work on the first film, and word is the sequel might follow the sister this time, which I’m 100% here for.
Directed By: Scott Derrickson
Written By: C. Robert Cargill, Scott Derrickson
Summary: As Finn, now 17, struggles with life after his captivity, his sister begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake.
I Live Here Now
Fantasia Fest buzz says this was one of the best of the fest. This feminist body horror film promises to address some very real world issues in a surreal world.
Directed By: Julie Pacino
Written By: Julie Pacino.
Summary: A woman finds herself trapped in a remote hotel where the violent echoes of her past come alive, blurring the lines between her darkest nightmares and the waking world.
Honorable Mentions
- Anaconda
- Thanksgiving 2
- Evil Dead Burn
These Sony Pictures titles could pop up (the Drafthouse was acquired by Sony, after all )… but only time will tell.