The 20th Fantastic Fest is right around the corner. If you’re new here then you might not be aware that this is one of our most anticipated fests. It will be celebrating its 20th year this September with a stacked lineup. Of course, there’s the world premieres like The Black Phone 2 and secret screenings. However, the fest is always filled with great little gems so here’s some I’m excited for:

APPOFENIACS

Directed by Chris Marrs Piliero the film tackles A.I and its dangers. A cast that includes Sean Gunn, Jermaine Fowler, and Michael Abbott Jr. Appofeniacs sound to be a truly wild and unforgettable ride. Check out the synopsis below.

“A young man is obsessed with creating deepfake videos, eagerly finding new ways to exploit the technology. From pornography to manufacturing a racist rant, his videos are incredibly cruel and vile. As his creations are unleashed into the world, he sows havoc, with absolutely no regard for the consequences. Lives are ruined and lost, all due to fake videos created for seemingly no good reason at all, except that the technology exists, so why not use it?”

Dolly

Director Rod Blackhurst directs the film Dolly that is being compared to films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes. Check out the twisted synopsis below.

“Chase and Macy drop off Chase’s daughter, Evy, and then hike to a nearby overlook where he plans to propose. Those plans are soon forgotten when they discover a weird ‘art installation’ of dirty, broken dolls. Unfortunately the dolls are actually more of an altar to the victims of Dolly—a violent, hulking, child-like person in a tattered dress and a porcelain doll mask—who arrives to bury the decapitated corpse of their latest plaything. While they have little interest in Chase outside of violence, Macy catches their eye and is taken home to become their newest doll.”

The Curse

Directed by Kenichi Uganda The Curse is a film that revolves around the horrors of the internet age and algorithms. Check out the synopsis below.

“After seeing her friend’s disturbing social media posts, Riko tries to intervene to help her but fails to prevent her from dying a mysterious, violent death. Convinced there is more to the story than a suicide, Riko dives into a world of memes, influencers, and posting for attention. As the pile of bodies grows, and Riko faces her own possible curse, she and her friends travel to Taiwan to find the source of this demonic social media killer.”

Shelby Oaks

Directed by Chris Stuckmann this is undoubtedly one of my most anticipated films of the year. The YouTuber turned director has brought forth their debut film Shelby Oaks to Fantastic Fest. Check out the synopsis below.

“A woman’s obsessive search for her missing sister leads her into a terrifying mystery at the hands of an unknown evil.”

HONEY BUNCH

Directed by Madeleine Sims-Fewer & Dusty Mancinelli the film stars Ben Petrie, Grace Glowicki, and Jason Isaacs. Check out the synopsis below.

“Following a devastating accident, Homer (Ben Petrie) checks his physically & cognitively impaired partner Diana (Grace Glowicki) into a secluded, experimental facility for a hail mary attempt at recovery. While reconstructing her past life with a seemingly loving partner, Diana begins to piece together fragments of her memory but fears that she’ll lose her mind in the process. The mystery deepens when a beleaguered father (Jason Isaacs) arrives, also seeking treatment for his ailing daughter.”

HAUNTED HEIST

Directed by Lil Rel Howery, the film stars Tiffany Haddish, Karlous Miller, Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor, and Howery himself. Check out the synopsis below.

“A newly released ex-con gathers his longtime group of friends for a reunion. But there’s a catch. He’s not just here to reminisce; he’s here to steal a highly prized antique rumored to be hidden in the place he ‘rented’ for the get-together. And there’s another catch—the house is haunted. Forced to contend with a bunch of goofy ghosts, the friends have to put aside their differences and work together if they want to survive the night.”

Which movie are you most excited about at Fantastic Fest?