It’s the end of the year and so it is time for the obligatory top ten lists. As I’ve seen so many films across genres and festivals, I like to cheat and split mine into three. Here are some of my favourite festival watches. My selections come from having covered Sundance, Glasgow, SXSW, TriBeca, Fantasia, FrightFest, Fantastic Fest, Grimmfest, Brooklyn, and Celluloid Screams. These movies are all awaiting a UK release or distribution, but should be put onto your ‘ones to watch’ out for lists.
10. New Life – John Rosman
The festival circuit has been a fertile ground for feature debuts, and John Rosman’s New Life, which premiered at Fantasia, is just one of several on my list. The story hinges on two women from opposing lives who become intrinsically linked, and may just hold the fate of the world in their hands. Both written and directed by former journalist, Rosman, New Life features one of the best mid-act pivots of 2023 and as such should be ventured into knowing next to nothing about it.
A film of two distinct halves, the pair combine to create a compelling narrative that won’t soon be forgotten. The beauty of New Life is hidden within its mysterious source; seek it out as soon as you can and enjoy the ride.
9. The Seeding – Barnaby Clay
Barnaby Clay’s The Seeding debuted at this year’s TriBeCa Film Festival and has remained one of the films that I have thought about most since viewing. Its story is wickedly bleak and nihilistic, and follows one man’s plight as he becomes trapped in a deep desert canyon. He is not trapped alone; there is a woman who resides in a dwelling within the canyon. Above him exist a group of feral boys who treat both him and the woman like toys.
The Seeding is not afraid to push the boundaries of taste, and the boys really do demonstrate their wickedness in unsettling ways. Scattered amongst this malice is an intriguing folk horror strand with the lunar cycle perhaps playing a part in the on-screen depravity. Severely uncomfortable from the get-go, The Seeding offers a warped version of Wendy and the Lost Boys, one born out of the darkest nightmares. Presenting a microcosm of brutality, The Seeding highlights the futility of mankind in a frank and disturbing way. Not the cheeriest viewing, but certainly highly impactful.
8. Skin Deep -Alex Schaad
Despite screening at both Glasgow and Fantasia, not enough people are talking about Alex Schaad’s Skin Deep. The film is a transformative philosophical tale that blurs gender boundaries as it explores finding contentment in oneself. The story joins young couple Leyla (Mala Emde) and Tristan (Jonas Dassler) who travel to a remote island to visit Leyla’s old friend, Stella (Edgar Selge). Upon arrival they participate in an unusual ritual that allows people to see the world through someone else’s eyes (literally).
Initially presenting itself as a folk horror, Skin Deep is more of a folk fantasy with some very interesting portrayals of gender identity. The cast are all exceptional, with several actors utilised to portray the journey of Leyla and Tristan. The work of the group is seamless, everyone contributing to this complex story of self. A complicated and more grounded riff on Being John Malkovich, Skin Deep is unflinchingly unique, intoxicating, dizzying, and truly stunning.
7. Jackdaw – Jamie Childs
Jackdaw one of the films that I caught during Fantastic Fest and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Directed by Jamie Childs and starring Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Jackdaw is an elegant British-set thriller. Jackson-Cohen stars as the titular Jackdaw, a former motocross champion and army veteran who must track down his missing brother after getting tangled up in his hometown’s criminal underbelly.
What really sets Jackdaw apart is its beautiful cinematography. Filmed in Hartlepool, County Durham, and Tee Valley, cinematographer Will Baldy effortlessly blends countryside and industrial structures. Jamie Childs’ feature debut is electrifying from its outset. Jackson-Cohen gives a wonderful performance as the stoic hero and flexes action muscles not fully explored in his other projects. Sure to please fans of Dead Man’s Shoes and Bull, the wait for Jackdaw is almost over as it arrives in the UK on 26th January 2024.
6. The Moor – Chris Cronin
Each year of FrightFest there is a strand of programming, known as First Blood, which champions the newest voices in genre cinema. 2023’s line-up was especially strong, but amongst all of them, Chris Cronin’s The Moor shone brightest. His debut mixes elements of true crime with found-footage, fiction, and mediums to create a genuinely unsettling environment.
Cronin takes his time in getting into the traditional horror, weighing the first portion of The Moor down with a heady blend of grief and survivour’s guilt. Set around the Yorkshire Moors, The Moor follows Claire (Sophia La Porta) who escaped a killer’s clutches as a child. Her best friend Danny was less fortunate and his body was never found. Twenty-five years after his abduction, his father Bill (David Edward-Robertson) enlists her help in finding his remains. Cronin’s soft and slow approach to the horror aspects work to make them more startling. With lush misty landscape in abundance, The Moor is a feast for the eyes, but also provides plenty of terror for your nerves.
5. Strange Darling – JT Mollner
JT Mollner’s Strange Darling was one of the most exciting films that screened at this year’s Fantastic Fest. Starring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald, the story is told in a deliciously non-linear format. The story is best kept secret so as to not spoil the surprise, but it is very much a film that has a multitude of layers hiding beneath its surface. A tension filled thriller, Strange Darling will have viewers on the edge of their seat. Willa Fitzgerald is riding a high after her turn in The Fall of the House of Usher, and Strange Darling is an excellent project to chase it with. Similarly, Gallner will follow up the exceptional The Passenger, proving yet again that he has a keen eye for an exciting and unique script.
Shot entirely on 35mm by Giovanni Ribisi (yes that one), Strange Darling has a gritty grindhouse quality to the appearance that works beautifully within the story. The colour palette is mesmerising and the score effortlessly cool, especially a cover of Nazareth’s ‘Love Hurts.’ Its unconventional structure enriches the story, making it one thriller too tantalising to pass by.
4. Stopmotion – Robert Morgan
After screening at London Film Festival, Stopmotion was one of two secret films to screen at this year’s Celluloid Screams. Directed by Robert Morgan, Stopmotion blurs live-action and stop-motion animation together in a macabre fashion as it tells of one young woman’s mental decline. Featuring a storming performance from Aisling Franciosi, Stopmotion slots in nicely alongside films such as Censor, and to a lesser extent, Raw.
An intense character study, Stopmotion analysis the pressure of ambition and the potency of creation. The models for the animation sequences are grotesque and work to build a waking nightmarish fairy-tale that leaves the viewer an anxious mess whenever they begin to play. A compelling tale of the dangers of obsession and art’s ability to consume, in Stopmotion, excellently constructed animation plays against an incredible live-action performance by Aisling Franciosi to create a thoroughly creative macabre nightmare.
3. Mayhem – Xavier Gens
To the horror world, Xavier Gens is known as one of the pioneers of New Wave French Extremity thanks to his movie Frontier(s). Gens though is also a master of action cinema. His work on television series Gangs of London has been phenomenal and his latest film Mayhem! re-enforces Gen’s talents. Screening at FrightFest under the alt title of Farrang, Mayhem! is a classic revenge thriller, but told in a different way. Rather than jumping right into the tragedy, Gens spends a long time setting the scene and the characters. This ensures maximum emotional impact when the time comes.
Alongside this is some of the most blistering and violent action set-pieces in years. Action designer Jude Poyer has excelled himself here and created a bloody mix of John Wick ballet and The Raid aggression. An emotionally charged, adrenaline-soaked revenge story that features some of the best fight sequences in modern cinema. Mayhem! is a never-ending juggernaut that will leave you breathless.
2. What You Wish For – Nicholas Tomnay
What You Wish For by director Nicholas Tomnay was one of the biggest surprises on this year’s festival circuit. Starring Nick Stahl in a career best performance, What You Wish For appeared out of nowhere and blew everyone away. The film even won the audience award at this year’s Celluloid Scream. Its plot is best viewed cold, but follows chef Ryan who gets in over his head when he caters an exclusive and intimate dinner party.
One of the best examples of the cautionary tale that the grass isn’t always greener, What You Wish For embraces the darkest vein of black comedy. The audience will laugh and wince their way through the run-time with Stahl giving a credible and endearing turn as the unlucky Ryan. With the likes of The Menu, Boiling Point, and The Bear, the culinary world is having a moment in the spotlight and What You Wish For offers another wickedly horrific entry.
1. Birth / Rebirth – Laura Moss
Laura Moss’ Birth/Rebirth premiered at Sundance and immediately caught my attention. Described by many as a modern working of the Frankenstein story, this film had much, much more to offer. It sees two women crash into each other’s lives in the wake of tragedy.
With beautiful performances across the board, Birth/Rebirth explores multiple facets of motherhood. Along with this intelligent analysis sits a treasure trove of darkness. Birth/Rebirth is not afraid to delve into taboo issues and is sure to stir up debates. For the horror hounds, there are plenty of gory moments and its Frankenstein elements are enjoyable and welcome, but by no means define this elegant nightmare. Exactly when it will get a release in the UK is uncertain as I originally believed it to be dropping on Shudder alongside the US, but so far it has yet to materialise. Please do check it out when you can as it is a super special film that has stuck with me all year.
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