My 10 Most Anticipated Films at FrightFest 2025

The FrightFest London 2025 line-up has been announced, I’ve spent some time poring over the sixty-odd movies which will play there in August and, in the spirit of the growing excitement surrounding next month’s festivities, I’ve been asked to pick the ten movies I’m looking forward to the most.

Okay, I’ve picked eleven. Apologies, I’ve ruined the piece already. Anyway, on with my choices.

10 films we’re looking forward to at FrightFest 2025

1. Above the Knee

Viljar Bøe’s latest follows a man who is convinced his leg doesn’t belong to him and wants to cut it off. Bøe’s previous appearance at FrightFest in 2023 with Good Boy should give you more than a hint as to how dark this could get. I’m still immensely proud of appearing in the credits of that utterly warped relationship drama and I expect Above The Knee to disturb and impress in equal measure.

2. Borderline

What is it with Samara Weaving and weddings? After the hilariously gory shenanigans of Ready Or Not, Samara’s back as a pop star taken hostage by an obsessed fan who wants to put a ring on it. The synopsis sounds not only fun but has the opportunity to delve into the world of the stan and would seriously pass up the chance to watch a genre movie with Samara Weaving in it? I certainly wouldn’t.

3. Crushed

In the category of “I’m bracing myself for this one,” Simon Rumley’s tale of a couple thrust into the harrowing aftermath of their daughter being kidnapped may not be the early evening pick me up sought by many but promises an uncompromising and harrowing journey. This is a horror festival, after all, and sometimes a trip through the emotional wringer is just what’s required. Come talk to me after this one and see if I’m of the same mind.

4. Death Cycle

I very much enjoyed For The Sake Of Vicious, Gabriel Carrer’s down and dirty take on the home invasion flick and discovering that Death Cycle is a “giallo-tinged revenge shocker” made this an absolute no-brainer in terms of its inclusion in the list of ten. If that wasn’t enough, all of the mayhem wraps up in eighty minutes, so that’s another box ticked for me.

5. The Degenerate: The Life & Films of Andy Milligan

Not everyone is a fan of Andy Milligan’s oeuvre and I’m not here to convince anyone otherwise, but Milligan himself was a fascinating, transgressive figure, covered in great detail in Jimmy McDonagh’s superb biography The Ghastly One (a take on the title of a 1968 Milligan film I think you should definitely check out) and now this documentary courtesy of Josh Johnson and Grayson Tyler Johnson. Find out more about “The Fassbinder Of 42nd Street” via interviews with those who knew and worked with him, with clips from Milligan’s admittedly divisive brand of cinema to add extra flavour.

6. Mother of Flies

The Adams Family are back in town with a movie that’s more Hellbender than Hell Hole as a young woman seeks a witchy cure to her deadly disease but learns there’s a cost that comes with a potential cure. I expect nothing less than the usual mix of beautiful visuals, smart writing and deep, emotional beats and I’ll freely admit that this is the movie I’m looking forward to most of all. The Adamses haven’t missed the mark with any of their previous work and I would be genuinely surprised if I didn’t love this.

7. Night of Violence

This debut feature from Illya Konstantin kicks off with a group of suits winning a class action case against the public (boo!). However, their subsequent celebrations disrupted by a masked group of locals who have been affected by the lawsuit and have vengeance of their minds (yay!). It’s playing in a late slot and it teases gruesome comeuppances for corporate types facing the consequences of being dreadful people. I’m in.

8. Redux Redux

I know folks who have already seen this one and none of them have said it’s anything less than brilliant, so I’m not going against the opinion of people I trust. Even if it hadn’t been given glowing notices from friends, the central conceit – grieving mom travels through various dimensions to avenge her daughter’s death over and over again – is irresistible.

9. Super Happy Fun Clown

Prolific filmmaker Patrick Rea has frequently delivered his own, off-kilter takes on lycanthropy with I Am Lisa and vampirism with The Night Is Young, so it’s highly unlikely that Super Happy Fun Clown is going to settle for being some sub-Terrifier knock-off. It’s also unlikely to be super happy, given that said clown is planning a killing spree, but should give the slightly more discerning viewer plenty to chew on.

10. The Toxic Avenger

As a fan of the 1984 Troma original and its sequels, I’m excited to see how Macon Blair has updated Toxie, complete with the genius casting of Peter Dinklage in the title role and a supporting line-up which includes Kevin Bacon. It’s been kicking around for a while so I’m hoping this is to do with the distribution company trying to work out what to do with something radically bonkers as opposed to it being a stinker. Either way, just try to stop me from having my lust for mop-related violence sated.

AND! FILM NUMBER 11!

It’s my list, I’ll include an extra movie if I like.

11. The Descent (4K restoration)

How could I not include The Descent in this list? It isn’t a new title but it is one of the very best British horror movies of the last few decades – no, make that one of the very best horror movies of the last few decades – and it’s brand of clammy, underground terror must be experienced in a darkened auditorium, preferably where you can’t see the exit. If you’ve never seen watched this before or only seen it on TV, get yourselves to the big screen and be terrified in a whole new way. If you have seen this before, it’s The Descent, you know you want to watch it again. Shauna Macdonald covered in blood? Iconic.

You can see the full lineup for FrightFest 2025 here: lovehorror.co.uk/horror-news/92762/frightfest-2025-full-line-up/

For even more information on the event and to get tickets, visit: frightfest.co.uk/

FrightFest 2025 trailers