Buckle Up for ‘Bulk’ as Ben Wheatley Returns to Genre Mayhem at EIFF

The Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced the world premiere of Bulk, the long-rumoured new feature from British director Ben Wheatley, as the launch title for its 2025 Midnight Madness strand.

The film, produced in secret by Andy Starke through Rook Films and financed by Film4, will open the late-night programme when the festival returns from 14 to 20 August. Details on the film remain tightly under wraps, with both the festival and the filmmakers remaining deliberately vague about the plot.

What has been confirmed is that Bulk marks a return to the psychedelic, genre-bending work that first brought Wheatley international acclaim. Titles such as Kill List, Sightseers, and A Field in England established his reputation for unsettling, often experimental storytelling, and Bulk is reportedly in a similar vein, albeit with a twist of genre chaos. In Wheatley’s own words, the film features “car chases, gun fights, sci-fi and romance,” all distilled into what he describes as a “midnight film through and through.”

CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd, who took over leadership of EIFF in late 2023, hailed the decision to open the Midnight Madness section with Bulk as a bold statement of intent. “We could not think of a better way to launch the second year of Midnight Madness than with a new trip from a true visionary of cinema,” he said. “It is guaranteed to bring the house down.”

The selection continues the festival’s renewed focus under Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, who have positioned the event as a space for innovation and emerging voices, while still honouring established talent. This year’s edition will again take place at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham, with Midnight Madness serving as a platform for international genre fare.

Film4’s Ollie Madden described Bulk as “the result of [Wheatley’s] unique and brilliant filmmaking brain” and praised the film’s audacity. “It was an honour to work with him on this secret project,” he said, calling the Midnight Madness slot “the perfect launchpad.”

Founded in 1947, EIFF remains the world’s oldest continually running film festival, with a reputation for showcasing new voices and curating bold, distinctive programming. The 2025 edition follows a revitalised direction following a major structural overhaul and the appointment of a new leadership team. More announcements, including the festival’s full programme, are expected over the coming weeks.

No cast details have yet been released for Bulk, and the synopsis remains deliberately opaque, heightening anticipation for one film we’re particularly looking forward to seeing at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

For more information on the event, visit: www.edfilmfest.org/