Fantastic Fest celebrates weird and wonderful movies and through the years, some amazingly awesome things have gone down at the fest. It is the largest genre film festival in the US, specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world.
5 Fantastic Fest Films We Are Most Excited To See in 2022
GIVE ME PITY!
About the film:
Sissy St. Claire is the queen of the airwaves, ruling over her very own TV special. A true diva, St. Claire can do it all — sing, dance, and act — all without breaking a sweat. That is, until a shadowy presence begins stalking her, marring the perfect fictional world St. Claire has crafted for herself. As reality and fiction blur, St. Claire tries to carry on performing while grappling with her own self-doubt and fear.
Why we’re excited:
Described as “campy fun meets giallo-esque thrills,” this film sounds like a fun retro ride. When we read this on the site, we knew this is a film for us: GIVE ME PITY! could easily pass this off as a recently-unearthed, bizarre special from the ‘70s. Plus, it stars Bette Midler’s look-a-like daughter Sophie von Haselberg.
SICK
About the film:
As the pandemic steadily brings the world to a halt, Parker and her best friend Miri decide to quarantine at the family lake house alone – or so they think.
Why we’re excited:
That description sounds pretty ominous, does it not? We definitely want to know more and it seems the only way to know more is to watch. Did we mention that it was written by Kevin Williamson? And it stars a group of up and comers who already have credits to their name and are surely going to be adding to their IMDb page in the next few years.
LIVING WITH CHUCKY
About the film:
This documentary feature makes its Texas Premiere at the fest. LIVING WITH CHUCKY is an ode to a horror franchise and a movie monster icon directed by Kyra Elise Gardener, the daughter of one of Chucky’s longtime visual effects supervisors. Having grown up with a Chucky doll in her home since childhood, the filmmaker recounts the behind-the-scenes process of bringing the doll to life as well as the cultural impact of Chucky and his bloodthirsty family on modern horror.
Why we’re excited:
There’s just something about Chucky! The franchise will never die. There’s even a TV series currently airing on SYFY. The documentary features actors Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly and Tony Gardner, as well as fans of the franchise like Marlon Wayans, John Waters, Abigail Breslin and more.
KING ON SCREEN
About the film:
Another documentary feature, KING ON SCREEN is an intimate look at the unique relationship between Stephen King’s vast body of work and the directors famous for reimagining it for the screen. With an ambitious fictional introduction packed with easter eggs, references and other winks that constant readers will find delightful, this doc is described as a must-see for any King-head and casual viewer alike.
Why we’re excited:
Stephen King, easter eggs and interviews with the likes of Frank Darabont, Mick Garris, Mike Flanagan and Greg Nicotero. We’re in!
THE MENU
About the film:
A couple (Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult) travels to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
Why we’re excited:
You know we had to have one big budget film on the list. A dark comedy starring Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult?! It doesn’t matter what the film is about, we’re watching it!
Fantastic Fest is happening in Austin from September 22 through 29.
