Friday Night Frightfest

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re delving into the grotesque and disturbing world of body horror. We’ll be comparing two films that explore the horrifying consequences of medical experimentation gone awry: The Substance (2024) and Body Melt (1993).

The Substance (2024)

Written, directed, and produced by Coralie Fargeat, this film centers on Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), renowned for an aerobics show and long career in Hollywood. On her 50th birthday she is fired – only to be replaced by a younger star. Amid her distress, a laboratory offers her a substance which promises to transform her into an enhanced version of herself.

Body Melt (1993)

In this film directed by Philip Brophy and written by Brophy and Rod Bishop, the residents of Pebbles Court in the suburb of Homesville in Melbourne, Australia are the unknowing test subjects for a new variety of dietary supplement pills that arrive for free in their mailboxes. The pills are designed to produce the ultimate healthy human, but have unexpected side effects, including hallucinations and mutations.

Join us as we explore the unsettling themes of body horror, experimentation, and the dangers of scientific advancement in these two disturbing films.

This week on Friday Night Frightfest, we’re diving into the terrifying world of artificial intelligence gone awry. We’ll be comparing two films that explore the dark side of technology: Afraid (2024) and I Am Mother (2019).

Afraid (2024)
Produced and directed by Chris Weitz, Afraid is a science-fiction horror film that follows a family whose smart home AI increasingly interjects itself into their lives.

I Am Mother (2019)
Directed by Grant Sputore, I Am Mother is a post-apocalyptic science fiction film that tells the story of a young girl named Daughter who is raised by a robot named Mother. As Daughter grows older, she begins to question the world around her and the true nature of her upbringing.

Join us as we explore the dangers of artificial intelligence in these two chilling films.

This week we’re diving into the dark and brooding world of The Crow. Comparing the 2024 reboot starring Bill Skarsgård with the iconic original 1994 film that was meant to launch Brandon Lee’s career.

The Crow (2024) – Director: Rupert Sanders
This reimagining of The Crow follows the same basic premise of a murdered man returning to life to seek vengeance on those who wronged him. However, the 2024 version offers a fresh take on the story, with a new cast and updated visual style.

The Crow (1994) – Director: Alex Proyas
The original The Crow is a cult classic that tells the story of Eric Draven, a musician brought back to life by a supernatural force to avenge his own death and that of his fiancée. This film is renowned for its dark, gritty atmosphere and Brandon Lee’s powerful performance.

Spoilers start around 7:50

Evil nuns? There sure is a lot of Catholic horror out there. This week we watched two films featuring suspicious and evil nuns.

Immaculate (2024) – Directed by Michael Polish
This 2024 horror film follows a young woman who joins a secluded convent seeking peace and spiritual guidance. However, she soon discovers a dark secret lurking within the walls of the holy sanctuary.

The Convent (2000) – Directed by Mike Mendez
This horror-comedy is about a group of college students who go into an abandoned convent, only to discover that it is inhabited by demons intent on possessing them.

Spoilers start around 5:30.

More serial killers!! This week we watched two films about secret serial killers discovered by their families: Trap and The Clovehitch Killer

Trap (2024) – Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
A seemingly ordinary man takes his daughter to a concert, unaware that a massive police operation is underway to capture a notorious serial killer. As the night unfolds, the man finds himself caught in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with the authorities.

The Clovehitch Killer (2018) – Directed by Duncan Skiles
A seemingly perfect family is shattered when evidence linking their father to a notorious serial killer surfaces. As the son investigates the disturbing truth, he must confront the possibility that the man he admires is a monster.

Spoilers start around 5:30

So many serial killer films, so little time. For this episode we watched two films that focus on the hunt for a serial killer: Longlegs (2024) and Kiss the Girls (1997).

Longlegs (2024) – Directed by Oz Perkins
FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes an unexpected turn, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

Kiss the Girls (1997) – Directed by Gary Fleder
This 1997 psychological thriller follows Dr. Alex Cross, a forensic psychologist and detective, as he investigates a series of kidnappings targeting young women. A survivor manages to escape her captor, and Cross works with her to track down the elusive serial killer.

Spoilers start around 7:55.

The price of fame – that’s the theme for our double feature this week with two films exploring the lengths that two women will go to, to become famous. The first is the final film in the X trilogy by Ti West and the second a film Kickstarted in 2014.

Maxxxine (2024) – Directed by Ti West
In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. However, as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Los Angeles, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.

Starry Eyes (2014) – Directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer
This 2014 psychological horror film follows Sarah Walker, an aspiring actress struggling in Hollywood. Desperate for a break, she lands a mysterious audition for a powerful production company. As she delves deeper into the opportunity, she uncovers a dark secret about the price of fame.

Spoilers start around 8:45.

For this episode we returned to the Omen franchise for a prequel and a remake. You can’t go wrong with the antichrist.

The First Omen (2024) – Directed by Arkasha Stevenson
This 2024 prequel to the “Omen” franchise explores the origins of the Antichrist. A young American woman serving the Church in Rome uncovers a terrifying conspiracy involving the birth of a demonic child.

The Omen (2006) – Directed by John Moore
This 2006 remake of the classic horror film tells the story of Robert Thorn, an American diplomat in Rome. After his newborn son dies, he unknowingly adopts the Antichrist, Damien. As Damien grows, a series of disturbing and violent events plague the family, hinting at the boy’s malevolent nature.

Spoilers start around 8:04.

Depending on your perspective, forests can be serene or terrifying. For this episode we have two films about being hunted in the forest.

In a Violent Nature (2024) – Directed by Ise McKeever
A horrific secret from the past awakens in a remote forest. When a locket is disturbed in an abandoned fire tower, a vengeful spirit rises, determined to reclaim a stolen possession. This 2024 horror film follows the deadly path of the resurrected entity.

The Watchers (2024) – Director by Ryan Heffington
Lost and alone in a vast, seemingly pristine forest, a young artist becomes trapped with strangers after seeking shelter. As they fight for survival, they discover they’re not alone. This 2024 film builds suspense as the group faces an unseen threat within the isolated woods.

Spoilers start around 5:30.

Starting off the new season strong with a recent critically-acclaimed film! Our theme for this episode is live demonic possessions and we watched Late Night with the Devil (2024) and The Cleansing Hour (2019).

Late Night with the Devil (2024) – Directed by Cameron & Colin Cairnes
In this 1970s-set horror film, a desperate late-night talk show host facing declining ratings attempts to boost viewership with a Halloween special featuring a panel of guests including a potentially possessed young girl. As the night unfolds, the line between entertainment and terrifying reality blurs.

The Cleansing Hour (2019) – Directed by Damien LeVasseur
This 2019 horror film follows a radio host specializing in debunking paranormal claims. His skepticism is tested when he investigates a live exorcism broadcast online, leading him to confront a powerful demonic entity.

Spoilers start around 4:43.