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
Keep up to date with all our coverage
FRIGHTFEST REVIEWS
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR SOME EXTREMELY EXCITING AND ENTERTAINING REVIEWS
JIMMY AND STIGGS
JIMMY AND STIGGS - Joe Begos returns in high style, directing and starring in a psychedelic alien abduction set entirely within his own apartment. Iain MacLeod reviews this chaotic and abrasive slice of horrifically funny, sci-fi madness achieved entirely with astonishing practical effects and clever filmmaking making its UK premiere at FrightFest this weekend.
DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS
DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS - Newly remastered in 4K, Harry Kümel’s vampiric masterpiece returns to screens with Delphine Seyrig’s iconic performance as wicked as ever. Iain MacLeod reviews this true classic of the vampire genre, fresh from its FrightFest UK Premiere of the 4K restoration this weekend.
BLOCKHEAD
BLOCKHEAD - Documentary filmmaker Matt Harlock makes his feature debut with BLOCKHEAD, a psychological look at a young author overcoming writer’s block with help from an unlikely source who may not have his best interests at heart. Iain MacLeod reviews this challenging thriller receiving its world premiere at FrightFest.
SELF-HELP
SELF-HELP - Erik Bloomquist turns his directorial style to psychological thriller with this tale of a troubled teenager discovering she may be in over her head investigating a sinister self-actualisation group where the manipulative leader has also romantically ensnared her mother. Iain MacLeod reviews the film playing at FrightFest this weekend with its international premiere.
BLOOD SHINE
BLOOD SHINE - Emily Bennett stars and co-directs this folk-horror tinged character piece of a cult-member holding an unsuspecting film director captive for a sinister other-worldly aim. Iain MacLeod reviews the film which receives its world premiere at FrightFest.
MARSHMALLOW
MARSHMALLOW – Daniel DelPurgatorio’s directorial debut takes summer-camp horror to unsettling new heights. Iain MacLeod reviews this creepy, sci-fi-tinged tale of camp legends, body horror, and sinister surprises, where nothing is as innocent as it seems.
THE TOXIC AVENGER - UNRATED
THE TOXIC AVENGER UNRATED - Finally unleashed onto cinema screens after sitting on the shelf for over two years, Macon Blair’s remake of the immortal Troma hero stars Peter Dinklage in the title role. Iain MacLeod reviews to see if the wait was worth it in this gory unrated cut that received its English Premiere at FrightFest this weekend.
IN A COLD VEIN
Eric Owen makes a bold leap from horror to a lean, mean neo-noir thriller with IN A COLD VEIN. With dark Texan landscapes, bursts of violence, and a conflicted anti-hero at its core, this is a must for crime fiction fans.
Iain MacLeod reviews Owen’s Texas noir, which receives its World Premiere this year at FrightFest.
TRANSCENDING DIMENSIONS
TRANSCENDING DIMENSIONS - Toshiaki Toyoda’s trippy sci-fi dazzles and amuses the viewer with its mind bending story of sorcerous monks, hitmen and how to get to the end of the universe. Iain MacLeod reviews this ready-made slice of cult Japanese cinema that received its UK Premiere at FrightFest.
THE DEGENERATE: THE LIFE & FILMS OF ANDY MILLIGAN
THE DEGENERATE: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF ANDY MILLIGAN - Chaotic, raw, unforgettable. Milligan’s films always stand out. Grayson Tyler Johnson & Josh Johnson explore the life and legacy of this 42nd Street auteur, with insights from Jimmy McDonough + and rare interviews that paint a vivid portrait of this cult auteur.
Iain MacLeod reviews this deep dive into one of genre cinema’s most divisive figures, receiving its UK Premiere at FrightFest.
DOG OF GOD
DOG OF GOD - From the country that brought us FLOW comes another animation that couldn't be more different, or downright filthier in every sense of the word. The most visually distinctive film of this years FrightFest, Iain MacLeod reviews this dark fantasy rooted in fact that is also reminiscent of the dark fantasy films of the 80's.
CONGNAITIVE
COGNAITIVE - Tommy Savas’ sharp, bloody & darkly funny sci-fi horror comes to FrightFest for its UK Premiere. IainMacLeod reviews this slasher with a digital twist.