Closing film of the fest was WHISTLE and I guess there had to be a stinker at some point. Poor writing, strange editing that feels like scenes were skipped, even the kills were disappointing despite a neat premise. Also, are we really uncritically doing cursed Aztec objects in 2025?

DISFORIA was sold as a feel bad movie and for the most part, it lives up to that, set during societal collapse with a family visited by someone live streaming their suffering for the rest of the desperate world to see. And yet, this could have gone bleaker and nastier, but still good for what it is

Final day began with the beautiful new restoration of ANGEL'S EGG, a film I've been meaning to see for ages. Demands a lot for someone on morning of last day of fest, but incredible to see on the big screen and one I definitely want to go back to and try and unpick the finer details.

Very different vibe with THE EVIL THAT BINDS US, essentially a historical drama about Germans living in Chile during the fifties, focusing on a boy trying to adjust to this new dynamic. It's well mounted and has some shocks in the final act, but a bit too slow and leaves too much unsaid to affect me

Penultimate day kicked off with VHS HALLOWEEN which is probably the best in the series and certainly the most consistently good across all the shorts. Segments vary from fun, to intense, to very very dark, and all have plenty of gooey gruey gore and kills. Perfect viewing for this Halloween season.

After watching the very fun Ye Olde Drag Queen Game Show, day ended with preview of three episodes of Season 2 of THE CREEP TAPES. Fans of the CREEP series will not be disappointed and definitely feels like the show is getting more ambitious with exploring new facets of our favourite Creep.

Following day began with my face of the fest, Curry Baker's OBSESSION. Expect a full review at some point, but this is a must see when it hits general release, a meaner take on relationship horror than we've seen in a while.

Only secret screening I made it into is the one I was most interested in: BUGONIA. I'd seen the original (SAVE THE GREEN PLANET) recently as prep and surprised how close this remake is in terms of plot. But it's classic Yorgos vibes though with a new writer, he finds new ways in building tension.

Okay, now #fantasticfest is officially over, let's rattle through the rest of what I saw.

VICIOUS was a decently scary, single idea horror with Dakota Fanning fully committing to the emotional intensity. However, it struggles to find an ending and feels like a good short stretched out to a feature.

HONEY BUNCH is easily my favourite so far and one worth seeing knowing as little as possible. Blends high concept storytelling with emotional intensity, all while flawlessly executing a fun seventies European horror/thriller aesthetic. I am desperate to see it again to unpick its riches.

I appreciate the commitment of DOLLY to being a full on exploitation film, including being shot on 16mm. However, it's chaptered structure disturbs the pacing and suggests a depth it doesn't have. Literally seen it all before even with some decent practical effects, not one that worked for me.

Day 4 began with CAMP, an inventive take on a summer camp movie with beautiful visuals reminiscent of I SAW THE TV GLOW. The humour and performances bring real warmth to a dark story. It's very indie and woozy which occasionally lost me, but definitely put Avalon Fast on my radar as one to watch.

NESTING is a difficult film to talk about it in terms of it's content and style. A deeply personal and affecting portrait of mother struggling with her demons that blends realism and stylism beautifully. Very strong debut that will stay with me for a while.

Started Day 3 with BEAST OF WAR sold as a shark movie when the shark is really a part of a war/survival movie. The narrative beats are familiar but the characters are engaging, Mark Coles Smith particularly great in the lead role. Some good set pieces worth seeing in a cinema.

MEAT KILLS delivers exactly what you expect for a noughties throwback horror that is mean and bloody. Filled at an actual slaughterhouse, it poses interesting questions about activism and the cruelty of the met industry, while also having fun with how inventive they can be with their kills.

FIND YOUR FRIENDS is my surprise of the fest, had no expectations and only went cos my friends did. Stressful and oppressive from the very opening and only gets worse as an all girl holiday spirals out of control. Nuanced in how friendships get tested when someone doesn't get the support they need.

Catching up with this now!

THR CRAMPS absolutely nails the John Waters aesthetic in look, tone, filmmaking, performances. There's some fun gooey effects but it is more of a comedy than a horror which I didn't expect, but I appreciate it's earnestness.

Next day started with THE CURSE, Ken'ichi Ugana bringing his slightly goofy, darkly edged style to a social media horror. Simple message but effective dread and scares throughout.