Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Phil Nobile Jr.
Horror can be empowering, affirming, forward-thinking. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun, or even a little ridiculous.
Case in point: Powertool Cheerleaders Vs the Boyband of the Screeching Dead, which is premiering this August at the 2022 London FrightFest Film Festival. Is it a feminist horror film about witchcraft set in the UK? Yes. Is it a musical comedy about Satanic cheerleaders accidentally triggering a zombie apocalypse? Also yes. See? Progressive horror needn’t feel like homework.
Today we’ve got your first look at the trailer and poster for the film. First the trailer:
And here's the poster by Fango contributor Brutal Posters, aka Chris Barnes!
I don’t know what else you need to be sold on this, but just in case, here’s the synopsis.
Emily (Charlie Bond) has a very unusual phobia. She's utterly terrified of cheerleaders, growing up in the wake of her psychotic cheer-supreme grandmother who dabbled in the dark arts to backflip her way to the top, with disastrous consequences. Her ever-tolerant boss (David Schaal) suggests she face her fear, and after seeing an advert for TV talent show ‘Spotlight Chasers', Emily assembles a group of chaotic-yet-keen teammates (played by Faith Elizabeth, Carrie Thompson, Megan Buxton, Liz Soutar) and infamous cheer coach Chloe (Dani Thompson) to try their best to hold their own against the tough-competition and their nemesis – the teeth grindingly talented boyband, the Starmen (James Hamer-Morton, Mark Stewart, Justin Chinyere).
Despite Emily's resistance, the team coerce her into using her grandmother's charm to enhance their chance at winning the competition, and they cast a spell to ensure the Starmen have no chance at winning – well, not whilst they're alive! Powertool Cheerleaders Vs the Boyband of the Screeching Dead is a fun, feminist flick filled with toe-tappingly catchy tunes, all about friendship and pursuing your dreams no matter what – even in the eye of the Zombie Apocalypse!
Tickets for the film are on sale Saturday! Head to the fest site for more info.
