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Spoiler-Free Film Reviews: “The Becomers” and “Omen” (Boston Underground Film Festival 2024)

The Becomers (2024) Writer/director Zach Clark’s science-fiction comedy The Becomers is one of the more unique offerings in the subgenre of alien-body-snatchers cinema. It follows the travails of two genderless extraterrestrial lovers who have left their home planet for hopefully better lives on Earth. They must inhabit human bodies, with plenty of reasons to change them, as they try to grasp the language, mannerisms, and mindsets of Americans. The film touches on a variety of current social issues in the post-pandemic United States while avoiding becoming overly didactic, and the cast members — led by Molly Plunk, Mike Lopez, and Keith Kelly — give earnest performances that give the proceedings a grounded yet humorous feel. Bonus points from me for the fact that the film is narrated by Russell Mael, vocalist for one of my all-time favorite rock bands, Sparks. Omen (Augure; Belgium/The Democratic Republic of Congo/Netherlands/Germany/France/South Africa, 2023) Omen deals in magical realism and African mysticism, with horror-adjacent elements

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Apr 3, 2024

‘Gateway’ to Terror: New Irish Horror Comes To Shudder This Week

Brace yourselves, horror fans! The unsettling Irish horror film Gateway is set to premiere on Shudder this April, bringing a dose of dread to viewers in the US, Canada, Ireland, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. A Gateway to Terror Written and directed by Niall Owens, Gateway unfolds within the seemingly innocuous setting of an abandoned house. A group of desperate criminals seeking refuge stumble upon this ordinary-looking dwelling, unaware of the horrors that lurk within. The official synopsis hints at a chilling discovery that turns the tables on these unwelcome guests. Have they found a safe haven, or has the house itself become a malevolent entity with its own sinister plans? A Glimpse into the Unknown The recently released trailer for Gateway offers a glimpse into the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Eerie shadows dance across dusty walls, whispers seem to emanate from unseen corners, and a sense of paranoia steadily builds. As the trailer progresses, the desperation of the characters becomes

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 3, 2024

Movie Review: Lola (2022) – Severin Blu-ray

Thomasina (Thom) and Martha (Mars) Hanbury (played by Emma Appleton and Stefanie Martini respectively) are brilliant adult orphans who live in rural isolation in a grande ol’ manse… a location where Thom has come up with a real humdinger of an invention by the name of Lola; a television that can receive signals from any date in the future the device is set to. Also a horse seemingly lives in their home… which normally would be odd enough, but alas one trumps the other… Anyway, the year being 1941, and the setting England the girls get up the gumption to begin delivering messages warning of Nazi attacks before they happen, saving countless lives. Their success leads to the attention of the British Military, thanks to the prying eyes of Lt. Sebastian Holloway of the Royal Corps of Signals (Rory Fleck Byrne) who soon allies with the sisters to literally change the course of World War II. As you can imagine,

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Mar 31, 2024

Spoiler-Free Film Reviews: “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” and “Property” (Make Believe 2024)

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (Vampire humaniste cherche suicidaire consentant; Canada, 2023) What an absolute blast Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person is! Director Ariane Louis-Seize’s French language coming-of-age vampire dramedy is a true charmer. Sasha (Sara Montpetit) is a reluctant teen vampire who suffers from adverse reactions when she witnesses humans being physically harmed. Her family members do their best to wean her off of blood bags and start her biting people. Matters become even more complicated when she meets bullied teen Paul (Félix-Antoine Bénard) at an anonymous meeting for depressed and suicidal individuals. Paul is looking for a meaningful way to end his life, and sees that in Sasha’s becoming a true, people-biting vampire. Louis-Seize, who cowrote the screenplay with Christine Doyon, has crafted a touching, whimsical feature that examines the potential humanity in an undead being, gently and thoughtfully focusing on two characters trying to find their way in this world — and in Paul’s case,

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 29, 2024

Calgary Underground Film Festival Unveils Its Terrific 2024 Lineup

Horror buffs and genre-film fans of all stripes: The Calgary Underground Film Festival has just released its lineup for its 2024 edition! There’s fright fare galore, from slashers (In a Violent Place; The Last Video Store) to monster movies (Kryptic; Infested) to supernatural chillers (Oddity; The Vourdalak), and beyond. Following is the official press announcement. The Calgary Underground Film Festival has announced the full lineup of films playing the 21st Festival, from April 18-28, 2024 at Globe Cinema. On-scale with the expanded programming of last year’s 20th Anniversary Festival, the largest in the organization’s history, CUFF 2024 will show 41 feature films, 37 shorts, and host 8 special events over 11 days. From horror and sci-fi to indie comedies and music docs, the festival showcases diverse programming of films that defy convention. CUFF is Western Canada’s largest genre film festival, internationally recognized as a top horror film festival on the circuit, and one of the most anticipated events for local

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 29, 2024

Spoiler-Free Film Review: “Infested” (Boston Underground Film Festival 2024)

Arachnophobes, unless you are approved for serious exposure therapy from your medical or psychological professional, you will almost surely want to avoid director Sébastien Vanicek’s Infested (Vermines; France/U.S., 2023). But for everyone who loves a good — and in this case I mean really good — spider attack horror movie, you will absolutely want to see the film. Kaleb (Théo Christine), a twentysomething man trying to carve out a life for himself in a world that frustrates that goal at many a turn, lives with his sister (Lisa Nyarko) in an apartment that has seen better days and requires constant upkeep, which they inherited from from their late mother. The siblings have a strained relationship, and Kaleb also keeps other people at a distance, preferring to spend time with the exotic reptiles and bugs that he collects, though he considers the other building tenants to be more like family than merely neighbors. After Kaleb purchases a spider — the likes

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 27, 2024

Spoiler-Free Film Reviews: “Sleep” and “Strange Kindness” (Boston Underground Film Festival 2024)

Sleep (South Korea, 2023) A sleepwalking man becomes a danger to his family in writer/director Jason Yu’s eerie feature Sleep. HyunSu (Lee SunKyun) and SooJin (Jung YuMi) are a married couple expecting their first child. HyunSu begins having bouts of somnambulism that become increasingly disturbing, and when SooJin suspects supernatural influence, tension between the spouses increases. Lee and Jung give solid performances as the troubled couple, and Yu ratchets up the tension well, leading to a highly satisfying third act. The “love conquers all” element is a bit on the nose, but overall the film is a gripping one that fans of occult horror should find well worth a watch. Strange Kindness (U.S., 2024) Writer/director Joseph Mault’s Cape Cod-set thriller Strange Kindness is a meditative feature with political commentary on violence in the United States woven in with family trauma drama. Rose (Leanne McLaughlin) is a young woman helping her reclusive aunt Chris (Deirdre Madigan) with home treatments for Chris’s

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 26, 2024

A Dark Legend Comes to Life in ‘The Soul Eater’ From the Team Behind ‘The Deep House’

Acclaimed French filmmaking duo Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, known for horror films like Inside and The Deep House, are set to terrify audiences again with The Soul Eater. New images have arrived, giving us a glimpse into the film and the monster that awaits. A Village Gripped by Fear The Soul Eater (not to be confused with Curse of the Soul Eater, also coming out this year) is a chilling adaptation of Alexis Laipsker’s novel. The film plunges us into the heart of a secluded mountain village. A place where a sense of unease hangs heavy in the air. After a series of disturbing events, whispers of an ancient legend about a malevolent creature resurface. Local children begin to vanish without a trace, and a wave of violent and gruesome deaths leaves the villagers terrified. Unraveling the Mystery As fear tightens its grip on the community, two investigations intertwine. Virginie Ledoyen (Rabid Dogs, The Beach) portrays a police officer

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Mar 24, 2024

Spoiler-Free Short Film Reviews: “Apotemnofilia,” “Lullaby,” “The Bleacher,” “Make Me a Pizza” (SXSW)

Apotemnofilia The titular condition is the desire of amputation for a healthy limb, and writer/director Jano Pita’s Spanish horror short Apotemnofilia finds actress Clara (Lucía Azcoitía) dealing with that as her highly anticipated post-pregnancy comeback play is about to begin. The film addresses Clara’s mental breakdown through graphic displays of body horror elements made with impressive, disturbing practical effects work. Azcoitía gives a fittingly unsettling performance, with Pita delivering a shocking work infused with some dark humor. Lullaby U.K. slow-burn chiller Lullaby from writer/director Chi Thai examines the fragile mental state of a female refugee (Jane Le). She suffered a devastating loss that she finds herself reliving, with those around her providing no comfort or support. Thai uses ever-increasing dread in favor of jump scares and gore, crafting a mesmerizing short that packs a highly disturbing reveal. The Bleacher If you have ever wondered what happened to socks you lost after doing laundry, the animated short The Bleacher from cowriters/codirectors

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 22, 2024

Spoiler-Free Film Review: “The Animal Kingdom” 

Director Thomas Cailley’s The Animal Kingdom (Le régne animal; France and Belgium, 2023) tackles the well-tread science fiction concept of “Can mutants and humans get along?” previously explored in X-Men comics and movies, and films such as 2018’s Freaks. Although not a lot of new ground is covered storywise, Cailley’s feature is such a well-acted and beautifully realized work that it stands out of the pack. Francois’ (Romain Duris) wife Lana (Florence Deretz) has taken on animalistic tendencies, both in action and physically. She is one of many people who have suddenly become stricken and hospitalized with this disease. With many people turning against those afflicted, the government has opened a new facility for patients like Lana. When the bus that takes her and other mutating patients to the facility crashes and the patients escape to the nearby forest, tensions rise further. Francois has moved near the facility with his teenage son Émile (Paul Kircher), who is hiding his own

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 18, 2024

More from Foreign

Spoiler-Free Film Reviews: “The Becomers” and “Omen” (Boston Underground Film Festival 2024)

The Becomers (2024) Writer/director Zach Clark’s science-fiction comedy The Becomers is one of the more unique offerings in the subgenre of alien-body-snatchers cinema. It follows the travails of two genderless extraterrestrial lovers who have left their home planet for hopefully better lives on Earth. They must inhabit human bodies, with plenty of reasons to change them, as they try to grasp the language, mannerisms, and mindsets of Americans. The film touches on a variety of current social issues in the post-pandemic United States while avoiding becoming overly didactic, and the cast members — led by Molly Plunk, Mike Lopez, and Keith Kelly — give earnest performances that give the proceedings a grounded yet humorous feel. Bonus points from me for the fact that the film is narrated by Russell Mael, vocalist for one of my all-time favorite rock bands, Sparks. Omen (Augure; Belgium/The Democratic Republic of Congo/Netherlands/Germany/France/South Africa, 2023) Omen deals in magical realism and African mysticism, with horror-adjacent elements

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Apr 3, 2024

‘Gateway’ to Terror: New Irish Horror Comes To Shudder This Week

Brace yourselves, horror fans! The unsettling Irish horror film Gateway is set to premiere on Shudder this April, bringing a dose of dread to viewers in the US, Canada, Ireland, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. A Gateway to Terror Written and directed by Niall Owens, Gateway unfolds within the seemingly innocuous setting of an abandoned house. A group of desperate criminals seeking refuge stumble upon this ordinary-looking dwelling, unaware of the horrors that lurk within. The official synopsis hints at a chilling discovery that turns the tables on these unwelcome guests. Have they found a safe haven, or has the house itself become a malevolent entity with its own sinister plans? A Glimpse into the Unknown The recently released trailer for Gateway offers a glimpse into the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Eerie shadows dance across dusty walls, whispers seem to emanate from unseen corners, and a sense of paranoia steadily builds. As the trailer progresses, the desperation of the characters becomes

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 3, 2024

Movie Review: Lola (2022) – Severin Blu-ray

Thomasina (Thom) and Martha (Mars) Hanbury (played by Emma Appleton and Stefanie Martini respectively) are brilliant adult orphans who live in rural isolation in a grande ol’ manse… a location where Thom has come up with a real humdinger of an invention by the name of Lola; a television that can receive signals from any date in the future the device is set to. Also a horse seemingly lives in their home… which normally would be odd enough, but alas one trumps the other… Anyway, the year being 1941, and the setting England the girls get up the gumption to begin delivering messages warning of Nazi attacks before they happen, saving countless lives. Their success leads to the attention of the British Military, thanks to the prying eyes of Lt. Sebastian Holloway of the Royal Corps of Signals (Rory Fleck Byrne) who soon allies with the sisters to literally change the course of World War II. As you can imagine,

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Mar 31, 2024

Spoiler-Free Film Reviews: “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” and “Property” (Make Believe 2024)

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (Vampire humaniste cherche suicidaire consentant; Canada, 2023) What an absolute blast Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person is! Director Ariane Louis-Seize’s French language coming-of-age vampire dramedy is a true charmer. Sasha (Sara Montpetit) is a reluctant teen vampire who suffers from adverse reactions when she witnesses humans being physically harmed. Her family members do their best to wean her off of blood bags and start her biting people. Matters become even more complicated when she meets bullied teen Paul (Félix-Antoine Bénard) at an anonymous meeting for depressed and suicidal individuals. Paul is looking for a meaningful way to end his life, and sees that in Sasha’s becoming a true, people-biting vampire. Louis-Seize, who cowrote the screenplay with Christine Doyon, has crafted a touching, whimsical feature that examines the potential humanity in an undead being, gently and thoughtfully focusing on two characters trying to find their way in this world — and in Paul’s case,

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 29, 2024

Calgary Underground Film Festival Unveils Its Terrific 2024 Lineup

Horror buffs and genre-film fans of all stripes: The Calgary Underground Film Festival has just released its lineup for its 2024 edition! There’s fright fare galore, from slashers (In a Violent Place; The Last Video Store) to monster movies (Kryptic; Infested) to supernatural chillers (Oddity; The Vourdalak), and beyond. Following is the official press announcement. The Calgary Underground Film Festival has announced the full lineup of films playing the 21st Festival, from April 18-28, 2024 at Globe Cinema. On-scale with the expanded programming of last year’s 20th Anniversary Festival, the largest in the organization’s history, CUFF 2024 will show 41 feature films, 37 shorts, and host 8 special events over 11 days. From horror and sci-fi to indie comedies and music docs, the festival showcases diverse programming of films that defy convention. CUFF is Western Canada’s largest genre film festival, internationally recognized as a top horror film festival on the circuit, and one of the most anticipated events for local

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 29, 2024

Spoiler-Free Film Review: “Infested” (Boston Underground Film Festival 2024)

Arachnophobes, unless you are approved for serious exposure therapy from your medical or psychological professional, you will almost surely want to avoid director Sébastien Vanicek’s Infested (Vermines; France/U.S., 2023). But for everyone who loves a good — and in this case I mean really good — spider attack horror movie, you will absolutely want to see the film. Kaleb (Théo Christine), a twentysomething man trying to carve out a life for himself in a world that frustrates that goal at many a turn, lives with his sister (Lisa Nyarko) in an apartment that has seen better days and requires constant upkeep, which they inherited from from their late mother. The siblings have a strained relationship, and Kaleb also keeps other people at a distance, preferring to spend time with the exotic reptiles and bugs that he collects, though he considers the other building tenants to be more like family than merely neighbors. After Kaleb purchases a spider — the likes

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 27, 2024

Spoiler-Free Film Reviews: “Sleep” and “Strange Kindness” (Boston Underground Film Festival 2024)

Sleep (South Korea, 2023) A sleepwalking man becomes a danger to his family in writer/director Jason Yu’s eerie feature Sleep. HyunSu (Lee SunKyun) and SooJin (Jung YuMi) are a married couple expecting their first child. HyunSu begins having bouts of somnambulism that become increasingly disturbing, and when SooJin suspects supernatural influence, tension between the spouses increases. Lee and Jung give solid performances as the troubled couple, and Yu ratchets up the tension well, leading to a highly satisfying third act. The “love conquers all” element is a bit on the nose, but overall the film is a gripping one that fans of occult horror should find well worth a watch. Strange Kindness (U.S., 2024) Writer/director Joseph Mault’s Cape Cod-set thriller Strange Kindness is a meditative feature with political commentary on violence in the United States woven in with family trauma drama. Rose (Leanne McLaughlin) is a young woman helping her reclusive aunt Chris (Deirdre Madigan) with home treatments for Chris’s

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 26, 2024

A Dark Legend Comes to Life in ‘The Soul Eater’ From the Team Behind ‘The Deep House’

Acclaimed French filmmaking duo Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, known for horror films like Inside and The Deep House, are set to terrify audiences again with The Soul Eater. New images have arrived, giving us a glimpse into the film and the monster that awaits. A Village Gripped by Fear The Soul Eater (not to be confused with Curse of the Soul Eater, also coming out this year) is a chilling adaptation of Alexis Laipsker’s novel. The film plunges us into the heart of a secluded mountain village. A place where a sense of unease hangs heavy in the air. After a series of disturbing events, whispers of an ancient legend about a malevolent creature resurface. Local children begin to vanish without a trace, and a wave of violent and gruesome deaths leaves the villagers terrified. Unraveling the Mystery As fear tightens its grip on the community, two investigations intertwine. Virginie Ledoyen (Rabid Dogs, The Beach) portrays a police officer

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Mar 24, 2024

Spoiler-Free Short Film Reviews: “Apotemnofilia,” “Lullaby,” “The Bleacher,” “Make Me a Pizza” (SXSW)

Apotemnofilia The titular condition is the desire of amputation for a healthy limb, and writer/director Jano Pita’s Spanish horror short Apotemnofilia finds actress Clara (Lucía Azcoitía) dealing with that as her highly anticipated post-pregnancy comeback play is about to begin. The film addresses Clara’s mental breakdown through graphic displays of body horror elements made with impressive, disturbing practical effects work. Azcoitía gives a fittingly unsettling performance, with Pita delivering a shocking work infused with some dark humor. Lullaby U.K. slow-burn chiller Lullaby from writer/director Chi Thai examines the fragile mental state of a female refugee (Jane Le). She suffered a devastating loss that she finds herself reliving, with those around her providing no comfort or support. Thai uses ever-increasing dread in favor of jump scares and gore, crafting a mesmerizing short that packs a highly disturbing reveal. The Bleacher If you have ever wondered what happened to socks you lost after doing laundry, the animated short The Bleacher from cowriters/codirectors

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 22, 2024

Spoiler-Free Film Review: “The Animal Kingdom” 

Director Thomas Cailley’s The Animal Kingdom (Le régne animal; France and Belgium, 2023) tackles the well-tread science fiction concept of “Can mutants and humans get along?” previously explored in X-Men comics and movies, and films such as 2018’s Freaks. Although not a lot of new ground is covered storywise, Cailley’s feature is such a well-acted and beautifully realized work that it stands out of the pack. Francois’ (Romain Duris) wife Lana (Florence Deretz) has taken on animalistic tendencies, both in action and physically. She is one of many people who have suddenly become stricken and hospitalized with this disease. With many people turning against those afflicted, the government has opened a new facility for patients like Lana. When the bus that takes her and other mutating patients to the facility crashes and the patients escape to the nearby forest, tensions rise further. Francois has moved near the facility with his teenage son Émile (Paul Kircher), who is hiding his own

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Mar 18, 2024
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