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Nightmares Film Festival Announces Its Early 13

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Nightmares Film Festival is at it again, continuing their tradition of announcing 13 of their early picks that will screen at this year’s festival which will run October 18-21 at the Gateway Film Center in Columbus, OH.

This year’s Early 13 is an impressive roster of “world premieres, influential names, and extraordinary genre experiences” according to a press release from festival directors Jason Tostevin and Chris Hamel, and looking at the list, we totally agree.

The festival prides itself on the diversity represented in its programming, bringing together themes that some festivals overlook.

“Our focus is on curating the most surprising, most astonishing work in genre, and that’s given us a reputation for having one of the best programs around,” said co-founder Jason Tostevin. “We love giving a taste of this year’s direction with these first picks.”

Nightmares Film Festival’s motto “Better Horror” will definitely be on display with these selections and they are only the tip of the iceberg for this year’s festival offerings.

As Hamel pointed out, “We have more than a hundred films to select and present to horror fans in October.”

The directors urge filmmakers to continue submitting their films as the deadline for final consideration is not until mid-September.

Ticketing information and all the latest news can be found on the Nightmares Film Festival official website.

Without further ado, here are the Nightmares Film Festival Early 13!! (Trailers included where available.)

The Final Interview (Thriller Feature/USA/World Premiere)

Toetag Pictures’s Fred Vogel (August Underground) returns with a sophisticated thriller. A fading newscaster desperate for ratings lands an interview with a mass murderer the night before his execution. But what he thinks will be an easy ratings boost turns into a dangerous psychological showdown between the two.

The Final Interview – Teaser Trailer from The Final Interview on Vimeo.

The Bad Man (Horror Feature/USA/World Premiere)

From director Scott Schirmer (Found, Harvest Lake) – his most disturbing film yet. A sadistic clown kidnaps a young couple, Mary and PJ, and tortures them to transform them into servile sex slaves. When PJ goes mad, Mary becomes the couple’s only hope of survival and escape.

The FP2-Beats of Rage (Midnight Feature/USA/Midwest Premiere)

The long anticipated follow-up to Jason Trost’s 2011 cult smash, The FP. JTRO suits and boots back up for a quest deep into The Wastes to find the legendary Beat-Beat tournament, “Beats of Rage,” where he’ll face AK-47 and, he hopes, save the world.

Skeletons in the Closet (Horror Feature/USA/World Premiere)

The first and only planned festival screening of this ‘80s-style anthology from Tony Wash (The Rake). Eleven-year-old Jamie loves the late-night horror series, “Skeletons in the Closet.” But when she sits down for the latest episode on a night when her parents are out, she and her babysitter will have to survive some horrors closer to home.

Confessions of a Serial Killer (Horror Feature/USA/Midwest Premiere)

Lost for 20 years in Roger Corman’s New Horizons vault, and passed around on bootleg tapes, this legendary 1985 film has been rediscovered, remastered and presented as the director intended. It tells the story of the chilling life and crimes of the notorious real-life serial notorious Henry Lee Lucas, whose reign of terror came to an end on July 11,1983.

Mystery Box (Horror Short/Sweden/U.S. Premiere)

The newest short from Sonny Laguna and Tommy Wiklund – directors of Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich. While fishing, a woman drags up a bizarre metal box, only to discover that, no matter what she does, she can’t be rid of it.

Wyrmwood: Chronicles of the Dead (Horror Short/Australia)

The Roache-Turner brothers (Wyrmwood: Road of the Damned)present a new story in their post-apocalyptic universe. A girl, trapped in an underground bunker with a psychotically evil doctor and a group of zombie-blending soldiers, must orchestrate a fantastically daring escape before her brains are sucked out of her skull.

Never Hike Alone (Horror Short/USA)

A rare theatrical screening of what’s been called the “best Friday the 13thfan film ever made” (Bloody Disgusting) and “better than most of the real Friday the 13thmovies” (Letterboxd). A hiker’s survival skills are put to the test when he stumbles upon the remains of an old abandoned camp and discovers its long dark secrets.

A Death Story Called Girl (Horror Short/USA)

From new filmmaker Bas-tzion Beahan. A nihilistic girl enjoys the wealth of suburbia.

I am the Doorway (Horror Short/England)

Adapted from the short story by Stephen King through his Dollar Baby program. A former astronaut believes himself the doorway to a terrifying alien invasion

I AM THE DOORWAY (2018) Short Film Trailer from Falling Shadows Productions on Vimeo.

Offerings (Horror Short/Canada/World Premiere)

From Torin Langen (3 Dead Trick or Treaters) comes this expanded cinema project, presented with live, in-theater musical accompaniment. The short is a nightmarescape of the rituals of a mysterious cult and the spaces they inhabit.

Bathroom Troll (Horror Short/USA)

When a clique of mean girls bully Cassie for not “looking like a girl” in the school bathroom, they awaken a dangerous rage deep within her.

Masks (Thriller Short/Canada/U.S. Premiere)

Coming to us from its world premiere at Toronto After Dark. Two actors preparing for a show in an old theatre find the dress rehearsal isn’t going to go as planned.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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