Filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo defies classification. He’s a sensation that exists somewhere between a contagious laugh and a sinister whisper. He’s a rare element formed by ancient mystics using unknowable alchemy. Nacho is hyperbole personified. Both he and his films exert a powerful gravity that pulls you in immediately.
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An afternoon of partying turns into a bloodbath for a group of teens when they decide to play a mysterious board game, the Game of Death. The high-stakes game requires them to kill two dozen people or face a truly horrific demise themselves. The clock is ticking and survival trumps loyalty as the group embarks on a violent killing spree.
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When a small Mississippi town is plagued by a murderous body-hopping evil entity, their only chance of survival comes in the form of Jebediah Woodley (Dolph Lundgren), a hardened, old demon hunter who has a history with the entity. Partnering with skeptical FBI agent Evelyn Pierce (Kristina Klebe), Jebediah is determined to take it down once and for all. There’s just one catch – the entity hops from host to host by being killed; to kill it is to become it. Jebediah has a plan to contain the entity, if only he can get close enough without being killed himself.
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Michael Briskett (Steven Hubbell) is an all-around good guy. He’s a hard worker, eager to please, and full of Christmas cheer. He also doesn’t know how to stand up for himself and is a bit of a loner with no real friends or family. His Christmas party is nearly a bust when no one shows up until his beautiful co-worker Cindy (Casey O’Keefe) arrives. The pair hit it off over many rounds of eggnog and Michael soon receives his greatest holiday wish – an invitation to Cindy’s traditional family Christmas gathering. However, Cindy fails to mention her family members are cannibals and Michael is going to be the main course. Teaming up with Eddie (D.J. Hale) and Katherine (Whitney Nielsen)—two other people on the menu—Michael Briskett fights to survive the holidays before he’s literally turned to brisket.
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When announced late last year that Magnet Releasing & XYZ Film were releasing a horror anthology with an all-female lineup of filmmakers, I was determined to be there opening day. Much to my good fortune, I wound up seeing it even earlier.
XX is a quartet of short films, each distinct in tone and style, celebrating all facets of horror as brought to life by some insanely talented women.
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Agatha, a new short film written and directed by Timothy Vandenberg, is a tasty slice of Gothic horror served up in just under 10 minutes. An eerie atmosphere and mostly dialogue-free performance by Louise Ogle as the orphan Sophie transport viewers into this frightening snapshot of a nightmare.
Read MoreWe’re living in some perilous times with a great deal of uncertainty. As we all curl up into tight little balls and recite T.S. Elliot—“This is the way the world ends. This is the way the world ends. This is the way the world ends.”—let’s take a look at some post-apocalyptic films with unique visions of what happens after everything goes to shit.
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Struggling musician Holly (Kika Magalhães) can’t seem to catch a break. Money troubles, a relationship on the rocks, a sister with whom she cannot connect, and a broken-down car all weigh on her. But when a life-altering obstacle comes her way, Holly is faced with tough decisions about how proceed, particularly when she most likely will have to go it alone. Her emotional trials are brought to life in the poignant and touching short film Leslie by writer/director Alejandro Montoya Marin.
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The Eyes of My Mother, a first-time effort from writer/director Nicolas Pesce, haunts and horrifies with its stark black-and-white beauty (thanks to the cinematography by Zach Kuperstein). When the film begins, young Francisca (Olivia Bond) is living on a farm with her parents. Her mother (Diana Agostini) was once a surgeon when she lived in Portugal and now imparts all of her knowledge to her daughter. Tragedy strikes when a stranger (Will Brill) approaches the family’s home, asking to their bathroom. He horrifically murders Francisca’s mother, but that’s only the beginning of the shocks as you witness what Francisca and her father (Paul Nazak) do to the stranger instead of calling the police. What follows is a startling look into the mind of Francisca as she grows up (now played by Kika Magalhães) as she does whatever is necessary to hold together some semblance of a family, even by the most extreme and startling means. It has all the makings of a Jack Ketchum novel, but infused with class and sophistication that’ll leave viewers chilled.
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The Eyes of My Mother was the very last film we watched at this year’s Fantastic Fest, and it also happened to leave one of the greatest impressions. The debut feature from writer/director Nicolas Pesce is a gorgeously shot work of horror with a career-launching performance by Kika Magalhães as Francisca, a young woman shaped by tragedy and isolation. Borrowing from our mini-review: To call the performance cold and detached would be an understatement. Every expression and movement is practically inhuman, as though her character truly never had a point of reference for how people act. Ms. Magalhães is simultaneously frightening and heartbreaking as the ethereal Francisca. With the film’s official release just days away, we sat down with Ms. Magalhães for an informative and fun conversation. World, meet Kika Magalhães…
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