Hollywood's AFI (American Film Institute) Fest, presented by Canva, returns to the TCL Chinese Theatre from October 23 – 27, with a huge lineup of 158 films including some real treats for horror fans.
Among the many exciting genre offerings on the slate are Marielle Heller's barking mad Nightbitch , Scott Beck and Bryan Woods' Hugh Grant-starring Heretic, and David Cronenberg's long-awaited meditation on grief The Shrouds.
Per the official press release:
This year’s festival highlights a diverse range of filmmakers, and horror takes the spotlight with chilling stories that push the boundaries of fear and suspense. From eerie supernatural encounters to gripping psychological thrillers, the horror films at AFI FEST are set to captivate audiences with their unique and terrifying narratives, offering an unforgettable cinematic experience for fans of the genre.
For full lineup and ticket information, head over to the official AFI Fest website. Here's what genre offerings you can expect to catch if you're attending!:
NIGHTBITCH DIR Marielle Heller.
Motherhood is a (night) bitch in Marielle Heller's (THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL, CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?) frank, perceptive and fur-ociously funny adaptation of Rachel Yoder's bestselling 2021 novel. SCR Marielle Heller. CAST Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Snowden, Emmett Snowden, Zoë Chao, Mary Holland, Archana Rajan, Jessica Harper. USA
HERETIC DIRs. Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
Starring Hugh Grant, HERETIC follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed, becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno.
THE SHROUDS DIR David Cronenberg.
In David Cronenberg’s latest, businessman Karsh conceives of a technology that permits video access to monitor the decomposition of loved ones from inside the grave. SCR David Cronenberg. CAST Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, Sandrine Holt. Canada, France
SISTER MIDNIGHT DIR Karan Kandhari.
Karan Kandhari’s audacious horror-comedy boasts an impressive performance from lead Radhika Apte, who dazzles and delights with deadpan affect, dexterous physical comedy and a blue streak of creative cursing. SCR Karan Kandhari. CAST Radhika Apte, Ashok Pathak, Chhaya Kadam, Smita Tambe, Navya Sawant. UK, India, Sweden
THE BALCONETTES (LES FEMMES AU BALCON) DIR Noémie Merlant.
During a blistering heat wave in a Marseille apartment block, a vibrant trio of best friends people-watch on their balcony in Noémie Merlant’s boldly feminist, genre-defying horror comedy. SCR Noémie Merlant. CAST Souheila Yacoub, Sanda Codreanu, Noémie Merlant, Lucas Bravo, Nadège Beausson-Diagne. France>
Shorts:
TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA (DEUX PERSONNES ÉCHANGEANT DE LA SALIVE) DIR Alexandre Singh, Natalie Musteata. France
In this absurdist tragedy set in a repressive society where kissing is punishable by death, an unhappy woman shops compulsively in a department store, fascinated by an ingenuous salesgirl.
RAT! DIR Neal Suresh Mulani. USA
When a disgruntled music journalist accuses a global pop star of queerbaiting, the singer’s devoted fans descend on his remote cabin to wreak havoc and seek retribution.
DOG DIR Ben Tan. USA
Nineteen-year-old Summer takes Lex, her blind younger sister, to a rave. When a grungy boy becomes infatuated with Lex, the night quickly spirals out of control.
RECURRENCE (QUTAR) DIR Ali Alizadeh. Iran
Cows flee from a cottage as a planet approaches Earth. Fearfully, the cottage owner runs away, leaving his crippled son. As the cows return, they're plunged into a monstrous, eerie nightmare.
YUMMY DIR Martinus Klemet. Estonia
Julia works as a dog food taste tester. After a brutal break up, dog food will never taste the same.
