FRIGHTFEST 2025
FrightFest, now in its twenty-sixth year, delivered a programme of sixty-nine films played across seven screens in the Odeon Luxe at Leicester Square and Odeon Luxe West End. Kicking off with the UK premiere of THE HOME, starring Pete Davidson from THE PURGE creator James DeMonaco, the packed line-up concluded five days later with the UK premiere of INFLUENCERS, the sequel to the Shudder hit from Kurtis David Harder. In between there was a veritable smorgasbord of premieres, including Macon Blair’s long-awaited remake of THE TOXIC AVENGER, while Joe Begos returned with alien invasion splatter fest JIMMY AND STIGGS. Also returning to the festival were the Adams Family, (not that one, the other one), with MOTHER OF LIES while the much buzzed about multiverse saga REDUX REDUX received its English premiere.
GORE IN THE STORE AT FRIGHTFEST LONDON
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FRIGHTFEST REVIEWS
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR SOME EXTREMELY EXCITING AND ENTERTAINING REVIEWS
CRUSHED
CRUSHED - A prank involving a disturbing video with animal cruelty kicks off a spiralling series of unsettling events, leading a vicar to question his faith in Simon Rumley’s unflinching drama. Iain MacLeod reviews the most divisive film from this year's FrightFest, where it had its English premiere.
BAMBOO REVENGE
BAMBOO REVENGE - Three men wake up in the middle of a patch of swiftly rising bamboo that will impale them unless a vengeance seeking woman gets the answers she's looking for. Iain MacLeod reviews this French thriller that received its world premiere at FrightFest.
BONE LAKE
BONE LAKE - The erotic thriller jumps back onto the screen, and into our hearts, with BONE LAKE, the twisted tale of two mismatched couples double booked for a romantic getaway at a large secluded mansion, only to learn that its mystery may entwine them all together in a twisted fashion. Iain MacLeod reviews the fun, blood soaked throwback to the 90’s that received its UK premiere at FrightFest.
MOTHER OF FLIES
MOTHER OF FLIES - The Adams family return with what could be their creepiest and most disturbing film yet in this tale of illness, faith, sorcery and sorrow. Iain MacLeod reviews one of the most distinctive horror films of this year from one of the most creative forces in horror.
ABOVE THE KNEE
ABOVE THE KNEE - Viljar Bøe’s deadly serious look at one man’s obsession and desire to remove his healthy lower leg made its UK premiere at FrightFest. Iain MacLeod reviews the psychological character study that manages to grip the viewer in grim fascination.
INFLUENCERS
INFLUENCERS - CW returns in the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2023 SHUDDER hit that sees her revert to her old identity thieving, murderous ways, kicking off a plot that spans continents and spills even more blood. Iain MacLeod reviews the film fresh from its UK premiere at FrightFest.
ODYSSEY
ODYSSEY - A week in the life of a high-flying London estate agent gets darker and darker. From mounting debts, to kidnapping to spilled blood the pressure increases day by day in Gerard Johnson’s ruthless mix-up of character study and thriller. Iain MacLeod reviews this darkly entertaining spin on British crime thrillers that just received its English premiere at FrightFest.
REDUX REDUX
REDUX REDUX - New thrilling life is breathed into the Multiverse sub-genre with this tale of a grieving mothers quest for revenge in REDUX REDUX. Iain MacLeod reviews this lean and fast-moving, sci-fi that works as both a character piece and action movie that wowed the audience at FrightFest at its English Premiere.
SHORT FILM SHOWCASE
FrightFest 2025’s Short Film Showcases delivered horror, comedy, and surreal nightmares in bite-sized form.
Nina Romain attended Short Film Showcase Two and shares her standout picks from the showcase.
THE ARBITER
THE ARBITER – Director Marc Price returns with a quirky Brit action comedy that makes its World premiere at FrightFest this weekend. Nina Romain head to FrightFest to check out this chaotic burst of parkour fuelled, rollerskating mayhem, complete with ice cream trucks and cartoonish carnage.
DEATH CYCLE
DEATH CYCLE – Gabriel Carrer returns in high style, blending giallo inspired visuals with leather clad killers and brutal, head stomping violence. Iain MacLeod reviews this bloody and stylish slice of revenge cinema, packed with inventive kills and colour drenched cinematography, and strong performances, making its World premiere at FrightFest this weekend.
MALPERTUIS
MALPERTUIS - Harry Kümel’s dark fantasy horror makes a long overdue return to screens this weekend at FrightFest in a 4K Remaster. Iain MacLeod reviews this lost classic that more than impresses with its occultist leanings, fantastical designs, striking cinematography and so much more.
