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Fantasia International Film Festival 2025 Preview: 20 Films to Look Forward To
Image Credit: NEON
It’s July, and that means one big thing for genre fans: the Fantasia International Film Festival is back! The festival, one of the most important annual events in North America for genre lovers, celebrates its 29th year in 2025 and runs from July 16th through August 3rd.
Fantasia has been the premiere home to some of the most beloved films to hit theaters across horror, thrillers, science fiction, anime, and even drama and romance. Talk To Me, The Suicide Squad, Inglorious Basterds, Unfriended, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Final Destination 5 have bowed in recent years. It’s also provided a spotlight for independent and international films to go on and get distribution in the US, including the likes of Red Rooms, Perfect Blue, Marianne, and Hellbender.
And 2025 is a big year for the festival, with over 125 features and 200 shorts across the landscape of genre cinema. There are a host of great options this year, both big and small, and I will once again be providing remote coverage of the festival for 411. So today, we’re going to take a peek and what’s to come I look at the top 20 films (plus honorable mentions) to look forward to out of the festival.
Honorable Mentions
• The Wailing
• Foreigner
• Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy
• The School Duel
• Sham
#20: Terrestrial
Steve Pink is perhaps not the first name when you think of when it comes to genre film. Pink is best known as the man behind such films as Hot Tub Time Machine, which he directed, and both Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity which he co-wrote. But there is an undoubtable connection between thrills and comedy, and the latter two movies being two of my favorites means I’m always willing to see what Pink is bringing to the table.
Specifically in this case, he’s bringing a dark comedy sci-fi thriller about a struggling sci-fi writer whose career has suddenly taken an upturn and invites three of his college friends to his home, where they find things may not be entirely on the up and up. Dark comedies are always worth giving a try to and Jermaine Fowler, who plays our writer Allen, is always a delight to see on screen. If this is anything like the buzz is suggesting, it could easily become a must-watch for genre fans.
#19: Haunted Mountains: The Yellow Taboo
Fantasia has always been a great place to see Taiwanese horror films; just look at 2021 when The Sadness won Best Film in the New Flesh competition. This year brings a new potential Taiwan favorite in Haunted Mountains: The Yellow Taboo. Inspired by an urban legend from the country, Tsai Chia Ying’s horror thriller focuses on Chia Ming and Yu Hsin, a couple who go on a romantic hike in the woods. They encounter a supernatural force that sticks them in a time loop where Chia Ming must watch Yu Hisen die over and over and must find out what happened in the past in order to save her.
The intense trailer for Yellow Taboo promises many of the traditional scares you might expect from a movie like this, but several twists and turns as well. Tsai Chia Ying is making his feature directorial debut with this film, which Fantasia is teasing as a deeper story with an emotional core. For those looking to have a good time with a little extra thematic kick, this sounds like one not to miss.
#18: All You Need Is Kill
If the title All You Need Is Kill sounds familiar to you, that’s with good reason. Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s novel has been the subject of a big-budget Hollywood adaptation, namely the Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt sci-fi action film Edge of Tomorrow, which has become a favorite of many despite its initial underperformance at the box office. Director Kenichiro Akimoto is now giving the time loop novel an anime adaptation with a twist: it focuses on Rita, the Special Forces op who is the highly skilled partner of the original protagonist Keiji Kiriya.
I love Edge of Tomorrow, but I’ve always felt it lost a bit of the source’s potential and have wanted to see the story get another shot at the big screen. Everything about Akimoto’s take sounds inspiring and fresh, the visuals look great and the change of perspective is exciting. Anime has been exploring in popularity in recent years and this looks like it has the potential to be an instant classic.
#17: Lifehack
Not everyone has come fully on board with the ScreenLife format of movies (i.e. films told entirely through computer or mobile device screens), but I’ve always been a fan. It’s a unique and visually interesting way to tell the right kind of stories and while there have been some stumbles along the way, I’ve enjoyed the vast majority of the ScreenLife movies I’ve seen like Searching, Host, Stay Online, and Unfriended.
The latest ScreenLife film is Lifehack, which comes into Fantasia with a ton of buzz behind it already. Having premiered at SXSW in March, the film has earned rave reviews for its story about four teenagers who try to pull off a bitcoin heist from their bedrooms and then have to deal with the consequences of the heist. Most ScreenLife has leaned more directly into horror, but there’s a lot more to the format than that and all indications are that Lifehack is a great example of that. First-time director Ronan Corrigan is timely in the age of digital security issues and just as importantly, looks to be an absolute blast.
#16: Holy Night: Demon Hunters
Sometimes you want a horror film that is a deeper metaphor for something profound. But other times you want a grisly, take-no-prisoners action horror fest that goes balls to the wall. The latter is what director Lim Dae-hee’s Holy Night: Demon Hunters promises to provide. Set within a Seoul that is beset by a demon-worshipping criminal network, the film centers on a trio of demon hunters (the titular Holy Night) to use their supernatural powers to turn the tide.
If that premise doesn’t tell you everything you need to know, I can’t help you. But if you’re on board with demonic hijinks, exorcisms, and Don Lee literally punching the evil out of the bad guys, this looks like it will be an absolute blast. Also starring Seohyun from Girls Generation and Squid Game’s David Lee, Holy Night looks to be a hell of a lot of fun for action-horror fans needing their latest fix.
#15: Rewrite
While horror, action and thrillers usually attract the most attention at Fantasia Fest, you should never miss a chance to look at some of the less explosive movies that the festival has to offer. Some of my most delightful discoveries out of Fantasia have been films like Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes and River, the ingenious time loop dramedies written by Makoto Ueda and directed by Junta Yamaguchi.
While Yamaguchi isn’t back at Fantasia this year, Ueda is and it’s with a new time loop film in Rewrite. Adapted from the Haruka Hojo novel, it centers on a girl who develops a relationship with another student who happens to be from the future and tells her she’ll write a book inspired by their summer in 10 years’ time. When that time comes, she finds out that things may not be what she expected. Ueda has done fantastic work in this genre, with both Infinite Two Minutes and River delivering both laughs and heart, and director Daigo Matsui has shown a masterful touch with teenage drama through films like Just Remembering and Remain in Twilight. Suffice it to say, I have high expectations for this one.
#14: Good Game
The underdog sports team is a staple of cinema. Whether it’s serious dramas like Miracle or comedies like The Mighty Ducks and Dodgeball, the notion of a scrappy group of rejects fighting their way to success is an easy choice for a good time at the movies. Good Game brings that story conceit to the modern era as it focuses on a group of outsiders banding together to compete in an Esports tournament to help save an internet café.
At its core, Good Game sounds like just an Esports version of all those other movies. But as the trailer shows, it stands out by putting the audience directly in the games with stylish-looking visuals to add to the fun. That gives it the promise of adding something entirely new and exciting to the familiar rise, fall and rise again story beats for a crowd-pleasing good time.
#13: Fucktoys
Let’s not beat around the bush here; calling your movie Fucktoys is going to draw notice. But writer-director Annapurna Sriram’s film, shot in glorious 16mm, promises to be far more than an attention grab. Following a sex worker who must raise $1,000 to lift a curse upon her, Sriram (who also stars) draws inspiration from tarot, specifically the Fool’s Journey, to tell a story about class issues and relationships in the modern day.
Fucktoys gives off strong Anora vibes, but in an entirely different direction. The 16mm look is going to be catnip for those who bemoan the overly crisp look of most films and the trailer offers a look at a wonderful crop of characters from the setting of “Trashtown.” This feels like the sort of in-your-face moviemaking that John Waters would be proud of, something I’m 100% here for.
#12: I Live Here Now
I’ve seen a number of psychological dramas at Fantasia that have moved, thrilled and disturbed me. Julie Pacino’s I Live Here Now looks like it has every potential to land a place in that list. Pacino centers her feature debut as a writer-director on Rose (Lucy Fry), a struggling actress who gets pregnant despite being believed to be infertile and must come to terms with that as a career opportunity and the opinions of her boyfriend and mother add to the pressure.
Pacino’s film puts Rose through the ringer, with the synopsis mentioning sleep paralysis and splintered memories as she holes up in a dingy motel. Fantasia says this has “echoes of David Lynch, Dario Argento, and the Coen brothers” which is a high point of comparison. There is a world of potential for a nightmarishly good experience here, one I’m very excited to check out.
#11: Nyaight of the Living Cat
Takashi Miike has one of the wildest directing careers ever. The prolific Japanese director is known for his bloody, disturbing affairs like Audition, Ichi the Killer and One Missed Call but he’s also known for lighthearted children’s films like Ninja Kids!!!, the Girls × Heroine series for young girls, and The Great Yokai War. It’s a testament to the directing great’s talent that he’s been able to find success on pretty much every corner of the genre spectrum.
And in a lot of ways, Nyaight of the Living Cat feels like a culmination of his work. Adapted from the Hawkman manga and taking clear inspiration from George Romero, Living Cats (which hits Crunchyroll later in the summer) sees a virus unleash that turns anyone who touches a cat into one. Miike actually has three films hitting Fantasia and both Sham and Blazing Fists are sure to be hits with those who enjoy his adult fare (including me), but the potential hilarity of this four-episode series makes it my most anticipated Miike film of the festival.
#10: The Verdict
Class conflict has been a common point of discussion for a while now, particularly in the court system. That’s true no matter where you are. The Verdict, from directors Lee Chang-hee and Yusron Fuadi, turns the notion of the rich getting away with everything on its head as a court security guard Raka finds himself at the center of a case when a wealthy psychopath murders his wife and assaults him. As it looks like the man might get away with it, Raka decides to take over the proceedings by force and revisit the trial at gunpoint.
Needless to say, this doesn’t look like it will be a “fun” movie in the same way as something like Holy Night or Good Game will be. But it’s a compelling premise that promises action and high—stakes court suspense while hitting some incredibly topical themes. The potential is very high with this one.
#9: Good Boy
It’s a truism among many horror fans that you can do what you want to any human – but kill the pet, and we won’t be happy. Good Boy uses that sentiment to full effect as Ben Leonberg’s chiller tells its tale from the perspective of Indy, a loyal dog to his human Shane. Shane and Indy have just moved into the remote house of Todd’s late grandfather, and Indy senses something isn’t right as a mysterious presence that only he can see begins to threaten Todd. That leaves it up to Indy to save the day.
That’s a great premise for a film, and Good Boy has already earned buzz from its world premiere at SXSW for its use of POV from Indy’s perspective and putting a twist on the tried-and-true haunted house story. This kind of story could easily go for laughs or goofiness, but Leonberg is said to be playing things straight and suspenseful which could make this a contender for the best fright films of the year.
#8: Influencers
I was, unfortunately, late to the party on Influencer, the 2022 thriller from Kurtis David Harder. That film, which centered on a woman who takes over the life of a social media influencer after leaving her for dead, was a thoroughly enjoyable thriller centered by a knockout performance from Cassandra Naud as the villainous CW.
I do not plan to miss the boat on the sequel. Harder is back with Influencers, which picks back up with CW in France where she is in a relationship and encounters a shallow British influencer (played by the always enjoyable Georgina Campbell of Barbarian fame) and is tempted to return to her old ways. Seeing CW in a new situation and showing a new side to herself is an exciting notion as it is but add in some stellar new cast members – and oh by the way, Emily Tennant is listed among the case so Madison is back – makes this a must-see film for me.
#7: Redux Redux
While many of the films on this list are ones I hadn’t heard of before, Redux Redux has been on my radar for a bit. This multiversal revenge thriller first came to my attention earlier this year on the list at another festival and I was all in even then. The film tells the story of Irene (Michaela McManus), whose daughter was murdered a serial killer. She uses technology to travel to different universes to fine one where her daughter may have survived and kill the man responsible over and over if not.
Multiversal stories may be old hat by now, but using the conceit to tell a revenge tale opens up plenty of opportunity for great storytelling. When you add the fact that Kevin and Matt McManus, the team behind the great The Block Island Sound, are at the helm here, it adds up to a can’t miss movie in my book. The film has already garnered a lot of praise and is one I’m hoping to watch at the earliest opportunity.
#6: Eddington
Eddington is arguably the highest profile film to hit Fantasia Fest this year. Ari Aster is genre royalty thanks to Hereditary and Midsommar and his latest film, a COVID-set modern Western, is the opening film for Fantasia. The cast is the epitome of top notch with Pedro Pascal and Joaquin Phoenix starring as the mayor and sheriff of a small town who come into conflict, ensnaring the whole town in their feud.
Aster never worries about being divisive and the polarizing nature of Eddington is sure to strike varying opinions. But even when his films don’t hit every sweet spot, they’re always at least worth checking out. This is one of those films that you’re likely to find yourself arguing with either your friends or with strangers online about – especially as it hits theaters just after it opens Fantasia Fest – and love it or hate it, it’s one that you almost certainly won’t want to miss.
#5: Queens Of the Dead
The zombie horror genre looks to be making quite the comeback in 2025. For a while it felt like the subgenre didn’t have a lot left to say after having been mined over and over again by Hollywood and indie film alike. I’ve honestly been zombied out for a while, but with the excellent 28 Years Later and films like Queens of the Dead it might be time for the living dead to shine once again.
Queens of the Dead comes from Tina Romero, the daughter of the late horror maestro, and gives the genre a queer comedic bent with this flick. Set in Brooklyn, it stars Katy O’Brien (who killed it in Love Lies Bleeding) as a woman putting on a drag show when the zombie apocalypse breaks out. While that sounds like an almost boilerplate premise for a 2020s indie zombie film, Queens is earning high marks for its humor and performances – the latter not a surprise since the cast includes O’Brien, Riki Lindhome, Jaquel Spivey, drag star Nina West, Cheyenne Jackson and I Saw The TV Glow standout Jack Haven. Listen, I’m a big drag fan and with this cast, this director and this concept? I’m all in, honey.
#4: The Undertone
Folk horror is one of my absolute favorite horror subgenres. The telling of stories about the clash between the old ways and the new, old gods and science vs. the supernatural – it’s absolute catnip to me. Those are the kinds of things that make The Undertone high on my list of anticipated films from Fantasia. Directed by sci-fi author Ian Tuason, the film centers on a woman (Nina Kiri) who is looking after her dying mother as she co-hosts a paranormal podcast. Her two worlds start to collide when she and her co-host receive an email with mysterious audio files – and of course, things get sinister from there.
The Undertone looks to be tackling some of the themes that are central to a good folk horror – religion, modern technology delving into things best left in the past – with its own unique story. Slow burn horror isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the Monolith vibes that the plot description gives off are definitely my type of Earl Grey and I’m excited to see what Tuason has concocted to disturb and frighten us.
#3: Together
Together has been at the top of my most anticipated horror films list since the first trailer arrived in January. An instant hit at Sundance, Michael Shanks’ film tells the story of a couple trying to reinvigorate their relationship and move into a remote house, only to find that they start to be drawn toward each other in ways that weren’t exactly what they had in mind.
Body horror is on an absolute high as of late thanks to the success of The Substance and Together looks like it could be right on par with it. Alison Brie and Dave Franco have been dipping their toes in genre fare for a little bit now and I really enjoyed Franco’s The Rental from 2020. The raves around Together alone put this high on my list, but the truly freaky trailers have solidified it as one of the most must-see films screening at Fantasia this year.
#2: Hold The Fort
Unlike Together, Hold the Fort was off my radar until announced as part of Fantasia’s lineup. All it took was one viewing of the trailer to catapult it instantly to the top of my list. This wild horror comedy from William Bagley stars Chris Mayers and Haley Leary as a couple who move into a new suburb, only to find out that the Homeowners Association do battle against a horde of supernatural monsters that emerge from a portal in the neighborhood.
And look, that premise is already making this a must-see. But again, that trailer hits all the right notes for a madcap action horror-comedy. Bagley looks to have captured the right mix of suburban humor and shlocky, gory action to make this stand out from the rest. Horror comedy is notoriously hard, but when it pulls it off the results can be among my favorite films of any genre. From what I’ve seen so far, Hold The Fort might just do that.
#1: Mother Of Flies
When the Adams Family is making a movie, I’m there to watch. It’s just that simple. The filmmaking family has delivered indie horror hit after hit with the likes of Hellbender, Where The Devil Roams and Hell Hole; there hasn’t been a movie of theirs I haven’t enjoyed the hell out of at the very least. That alone is enough to put their latest, Mother of Flies at the top of my list.
That said, this would be an intriguing story regardless of who was involved. It centers on Mickey (Zelda Adams), who turns to dark magic to heal herself from cancer since modern medicine isn’t doing the job. She and her father (John Adams) head into the woods to meet with a witch (Toby Poser) who will guide Mickey through the magic she needs. Witches, folk horror vibes, and the Adams involved in all aspects the way they usually are? Yes, there isn’t much question as to why this is my most anticipated film to come out of Fantasia Fest 2025, one I am incredibly excited about.
And there’s my top 20 films to look forward to! But even that is just a smattering of what’s available at Fantasia Fest this year. If you’re interested, you can check out the program here. I’m looking forward to covering it and discussing the films set to come out of it in the next few weeks.
