The Black Sunday Film Festival returns to its spiritual home of the Everyman Chelmsford, Saturday October 26th for a Halloween mini-fest. It’s a wonderful celebration of feature and short films from the impressive independent film scene.
The feature film presentations include the Essex premieres of The Lonely Man with the Ghost Machine from genre favourite Graham Skipper, Gothic time-loop horror All This Time from writer/director Rob Worsey, starring Emily Rose Holt, Daniel De Bourg and Emma Pallant, and FrightFest hit Cara from writer/director Hayden Hewitt, starring Elle O’Hara, Johnny Vivash, Laurence R. Harvey, and Michaela Longden.
CaraThe Lonely Man with the Ghost MachineAll This Time
The short film line-up includes Aetherium from Livvy Edwards, Body Worn Video from Tony Hipwell, Cut Open – A Game of ‘Tijeras y Libro’ from Adolfo Vico, Safe from David Yorke, The Dead of Winter from Stephen Graves, and The Shaver Mystery from Dean Bertram.
And as is festival tradition, Black Sunday Halloween will close with the Cult Film Secret Screening presented by Arrow Video, which is not to be missed on the big screen!
Following the festival, local hotspot Voodoo Keller will once again host the Black Sunday Afterparty for all filmmakers and attending guests from 9pm till late. The party is Alice in Wonderland-themed, so what’s not to love?
Limited tickets are on sale now. All tickets include admission to the afterparty.
For more information on the Black Sunday Film Festival and its upcoming events, head over to http://www.blacksundayff.com
From the classic PlayStation era to Angelina Jolie in the movie adaptation and then to the latest Survivor trilogy, Lara Croft has become a global hit thanks to her incredible tomb-exploring adventures! Set after Shadow of the Tomb Raider, this brand new Netflix anime series titled Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft shows Lara (Hayley Atwell) as she attempts to figure out who she is. It’s a transitional and somewhat unpredictable time for the character; ultimately, anything can happen! There’s been a vast array of incredible villains within the franchise. STARBURST is excited to talk with actor Richard Armitage (The Hobbit, Castlevania) to uncover the creative journey behind its latest antagonist, Charles Devereaux! A mysterious, Bond-style character who’s determined to cause havoc…
STARBURST: How did you get involved with Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft?
Richard Armitage: I think they came to me because of the work I had done on Castlevania. There was a little bit of alchemy going on with that character, Trevor Belmont, so I think they thought that my voice would work really well for Charles Devereaux. So I happily jumped on board. I think he is a brilliant character, and every generation deserves their version of Tomb Raider.
How much of a Tomb Raider fan were you before this? Had you played any of the games?
I’m not actually much of a gamer. I remember the groundswell about it when Angelina Jolie was going to play her, and I dipped in a bit to the game. She was my first Lara Croft; she was the one I followed. We’ve had Alicia Vikander since. So I suppose, the live-action is what I’m more familiar with. Although, they blend into one, really. If I close my eyes and think of it, it’s definitely the game animation that comes into my head. It’s always that classic shot where you’re behind her, and then you jump with her. I think it’s that first break into animation where you suddenly went, “Oh my god, the graphics have changed.” Everything changed with Tomb Raider.
What can you tell us about the character of Charles Devereaux; is there anything that you really wanted to see from him in the show?
Devereaux is a mercenary, he is seeking revenge against The Cabal, that assassinated his father, known as The Light. His goal is to reunite the four peril stones and upset the natural order of the earth. The first time we see him, we think he is some kind of mentor to Lara Croft, but there’s a deep, dark force working inside of him. He’s unleashing this devastating natural disaster. He is a force of destruction! Which is perfect for me.
There are some great villains in the games, such as Mathias Vogel and Natla; how would you say he compares to what’s come before him?
With any character, where you’re sort of in the shell of a suave human, but with this ability to control the mind, I think that’s always going to be a delicious role to play. It’s quite frightening. My parallel is the ultimate Bond villain really, so somebody that’s really slick and sharp, well put together, but has that megalomania in his brain. Where he is going to tear himself apart, because of it. He is going to drink the kool aid himself, and that’s where we kind of go in the series.
How did the look and design of Charles Devereaux come to be? And what do you remember the most about seeing him on-screen for the first time?
This happened a little bit with Castlevania, where I think the animators maybe do take inspiration from the casting a little bit as they go along. So there’s a bit of an exchange. The minute I saw the first look of Devereaux, I was like, “I’m totally dying my hair white, and I’m going to dye my beard white.” I just think that bleached-out look was very striking. He looks pretty cool; I like him.
You could play him in a potential live version of the show!
I said it with Castlevania, and I said it with this! I could age into him. I don’t know how many live action Tomb Raider’s you can have, but you’re watching it on screen thinking, “I wish I could get to do a live-action version of this.”
“Every generation deserves their version of Tomb Raider”
You’ve done a lot of voice acting work in the past with Castlevania and Total War; can you elaborate on what the voice recording process is normally like for you?
I really love sitting or standing in front of a microphone, and what’s great about animation, is you do get a lot of pre-visuals to look at. Sometimes, it’s just a sketch; sometimes, it’s quite advanced. You don’t really see the finished version until it’s done. So you come in about two-thirds of the way through, and sometimes it’s just a storyboard. But I get really into it. I often have to be told to stand still because you can hear me moving around, but I love it. Sometimes, you have to come back in later on, when the animation has advanced further, to re-voice things because they’ve gone away and reworked, and I love seeing it develop, particularly with this character. I watched him evolve. I really enjoyed him when he was cracking apart. You could see the magic starting to work. I get very excited in the recording room.
What was Hayley Atwell like to work with, and what does she bring to the legendary character of Lara Croft?
We weren’t in the same room for this, but weirdly, we were in the same room when we worked on Captain America. So, we’ve passed each other a few times, and we’ve got friends in common. I did actually have a reference; it’s been a while, probably ten years, since I’ve seen her. I went to see her on stage when she was in the West End, and we’ve exchanged conversation in the past, but we weren’t together for this one. I do think she’s brilliant; she’s so quintessentially British, which I think people forget, that Lara Croft is. She’s got that very, cut class, British accent, and she is very put together, but when she needs to she can sort of unleash herself. I mean, Hayley is one of those actors where I feel like she’s an action hero. If you look at her in things like Captain America and Mission Impossible, the way she is cast, she’s got that quintessentially English rose thing, but man, can she kick ass! She is so perfect for this role.
And going on from that, what did you really want to see from the dynamic between Lara and Devereaux?
I think early on, it’s the sense of verbal sparing between them, and they’re generations apart. He knows what she is capable of, she runs rings around him, infuriating him, he knows what she can do. There’s just that sense of him wanting to empower her but, at the same time, stop her. I think that kind of rivalry is always going to be really great to watch on-screen in an animation.
Lara is in quite a transitional space, especially after what she’s been through in the Survivor Trilogy. She’s trying to figure out her next step, so it must have been quite exciting to help capture this new journey opposite Hayley.
Yeah, they incorporate a lot more of the friendship between her pals. So she’s less of a solo character in this one; she’s leaning on her pals, so I think that’s a new line for the story, which is good. And I think that mind control is an interesting side to all of this because everyone is susceptible to it.
As we mentioned, the series follows on from the recent Survivor Trilogy of games. However, storywise, is there anything else you can tell us at this point?
They’ll see Lara grow. You’re going to see her go from the survivor/original Lara to a high adventure hero. It’s all about her growth, really.
Will the show be a good balance for both new and old franchise fans?
Definitely! There are little Easter eggs along the way for the fans. I think you are going to see little callbacks to the games. There’s a Christmas tree featured, zooming into the ornaments. So, new people to the story probably won’t get that, but fans of the game will. You’ll see lots of Lara’s famous weapons that she’s known for. There’s a lot of anticipation and a lot of payoff. I think that’s what is going to be great about it.
Why do you think the anime style works so well for the world of Tomb Raider?
That’s a really good question! I genuinely don’t know, I think it’s because you can go anywhere with it. You can go to any destination, and you can take this story anywhere, and you can make Lara do anything. You can go anywhere the imagination takes you! I think you’ll see many series of this show.
Finally, why should STARBURST readers watch Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft?
It’s not just an adaptation of the familiar game, it’s a new story, and it’s a bridge between the survivor series, the video games, and it is all about what’s next. So it’s like, “Where is she going now!?”
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft will be available via Netflix on October 10th.
Challengers (2024), directed by Luca Guadagnino, is a compelling film that intertwines love, rivalry, and ambition in the high-stakes world of professional tennis. Starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, the film delves into the complexities of relationships amidst the tension and competition on the tennis court.
With shooting locations in Boston, Massachusetts, and Rome, Italy, the film showcases the intricate dynamics between its characters, offering a thrilling cinematic experience.
The Intricate Dynamic Between Love and Rivalry
Love and rivalry are central themes in Challengers, manifesting through the triangular relationship between Tashi (Zendaya), her husband Art (Mike Faist), and his former best friend Patrick (Josh O’Connor).
Tashi, a former tennis player turned coach, orchestrates Art’s rise from mediocrity to becoming a grand slam champion. However, their relationship takes a complicated turn when Art competes against Patrick in a lower-level “challenger” tournament, setting the stage for intense personal and professional rivalries.
The film cleverly explores how ambition intertwines with love, with Tashi’s emotional ties to both Art and Patrick adding complexity to her motivations. As a coach, she pushes Art toward success, but the re-emergence of her past relationship with Patrick adds a layer of tension that impacts the dynamics on and off the court. The tension escalates during a pivotal match where love, ambition, and competition clash head-on.
Tashi’s Role in Art’s Transformation
Zendaya’s character, Tashi, plays a pivotal role in shaping Art’s career. She is not just his wife but his coach, guiding him from a mediocre player to a grand slam champion. Tashi’s influence on Art’s career trajectory is significant, and her drive to see him succeed sets the tone for their relationship, which is both professionally and emotionally charged.
Her decision to have Art compete in a lower-tier “challenger” tournament is a key moment in the film, where her desire to shake him out of his slump becomes a defining moment. This tournament, though minor in the professional tennis circuit, brings past rivalries to the forefront, pitting Art against his former best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend, Patrick.
Patrick: The Fallen Star
Patrick (Josh O’Connor) represents a character once brimming with potential but now facing the realities of a career in decline. His rivalry with Art is not just about tennis; it is deeply personal, rooted in his past relationship with Tashi. The tension between the two former best friends is palpable throughout the film, as both characters struggle with unresolved issues.
Patrick’s burnt-out career and his history with Tashi add emotional weight to the competition, making the match between him and Art not only a physical contest but also a confrontation of past regrets and lingering emotions.
The Tennis Circuit Backdrop
The choice of professional tennis as the backdrop for Challengers is more than just a setting; it serves as a metaphor for the characters’ personal battles. Tennis is a sport that demands intense focus, precision, and strategy, qualities reflected in the relationships between Tashi, Art, and Patrick. The film’s depiction of the sport, from the minor challenger tournaments to the grand slam stage, mirrors the highs and lows of the characters’ emotional journeys.
The film’s shooting locations in Boston, Massachusetts, and Rome, Italy, add authenticity to the depiction of the international tennis circuit. These settings enhance the atmosphere of the film, portraying the global nature of the sport while grounding the story in relatable human emotions.
Boston and Rome: Key Filming Locations
Boston and Rome serve as the primary backdrops for Challengers, representing the grandeur and international appeal of professional tennis. In Boston, scenes were shot to showcase the American leg of the tennis tour, with the city’s historic charm juxtaposing the fierce competition on the courts.
Rome, on the other hand, captures the European elegance and history associated with tennis. The choice of these two cities adds depth to the narrative, symbolizing the diverse challenges faced by the characters on their journey, both in their personal relationships and their professional lives.
Tashi, Art, and Patrick: A Triangle of Emotions
The emotional triangle between Tashi, Art, and Patrick is at the heart of the film. Tashi’s relationships with both men complicate the dynamic, as her past with Patrick and her current role as Art’s coach create conflicting loyalties. The film carefully explores how love can be both a source of motivation and conflict, especially in the high-pressure world of professional sports.
As Art faces Patrick on the court, the match becomes a symbolic battle for Tashi’s affection and validation, heightening the stakes for all involved.
The Challenger Tournament: A Turning Point
The “challenger” tournament, a low-level competition, is a turning point in the film. Tashi’s decision to have Art compete in this event is pivotal, as it forces him to confront not only his professional struggles but also the ghosts of his personal life. The match between Art and Patrick serves as a cathartic moment for all three characters, as past rivalries, love, and ambition come to a head.
This tournament is not just about tennis; it represents the culmination of years of emotional turmoil, where the characters’ relationships are tested in the most intense way possible.
As Challengers captures the enthralling tennis matches set in Boston, Massachusetts, the film not only showcases Zendaya’s dynamic portrayal against a backdrop of love and rivalry but also highlights iconic scenes taken directly from Boston’s prestigious tennis courts.
For enthusiasts captivated by the film’s authentic Massachusetts setting, leveraging Massachusetts sportsbook promos can extend the excitement beyond the cinema, offering a personal stake in the real competitive tennis events held in the state where these pivotal movie scenes come to life.
The Complexities of Coaching and Marriage
Tashi’s dual role as both a coach and a spouse adds complexity to her relationship with Art. The professional and personal spheres constantly intersect, with Tashi’s coaching decisions impacting their marriage and vice versa. This dynamic is explored in-depth in the film, highlighting the challenges of balancing professional ambition with emotional needs.
The tension in their marriage escalates as Art’s success or failure on the court directly correlates with the health of their relationship, making each match a reflection of their personal struggles.
A Story of Ambition and Redemption
Challengers ultimately tells a story of ambition and redemption, where the characters must confront their past mistakes and the consequences of their ambitions. Tashi’s drive to make Art a champion, Patrick’s desire to reclaim his former glory, and Art’s struggle to find himself amid these competing forces create a rich narrative that resonates beyond the tennis court.
The film examines how ambition, when intertwined with love and rivalry, can lead to both personal victories and devastating losses, making for a compelling and emotionally charged story.
Festive horror Advent is heading our way, where every door opens up a new nightmare. From director Airell Anthony Hayles (Werewolf Santa), this yuletide feast of frights stars Mark Arnold (Blade Runner 2049), Nicholas Vince (Hellraiser), Cory Peterson (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), Rasina Pavlova, and Cian Lorcan (Werewolf Santa).
Inspired by the spine-chilling true story of the Blue Whale Challenge – a sinister social media game that pushes players into increasingly dangerous dares – this chiller gives the ghost story a hair-raising, supernatural twist.
Synopsis: When a social media influencer obsessed with urban legends unwraps a mystery advent calendar, she can’t resist opening each door in the countdown to Christmas live on YouTube. But behind every door lies a challenge, some more twisted than others, and as they become increasingly disturbing, her world starts to spiral out of control… will she make it to Boxing Day, or has she unwrapped a holiday hell there’s no coming back from?
Advent gets its world premiere at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Halloween on November 1st,and a UK digital release follows on November 25th from Miracle Media.
Trinity CineAsia has announced that Stuntmanwill be coming to UK and Irish cinemas on October 11th. The film is helmed by the producer of this year’s crime epic, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, which was just announced as Hong Kong’s entry for the 2025 Oscars. Get ready for a powerful and action-packed story that sheds light on the unsung heroes of the film industry!
In Stuntman, a washed-up action choreographer struggling to find his way in a changing industry risks everything to stage an epic comeback, but can he repair the damage to his relationship with his estranged daughter before it’s too late?
The top-tier cast includes Terrance Lau (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In) and Philip Ng (Birth of the Dragon). Also starring is stunt veteran Stephen Tung Wai (Hard Boiled), a seven-time winner of Best Action Choreography at the Hong Kong Film Awards, making his on-camera return after seven years. The cast also features Cecilia Choi (Beyond the Dream) and Rachel Leung (The Sparring Partner).
Recreating the spirit of classic Hong Kong action cinema, particularly in adapting iconic fight locations such as footbridges and shopping centre escalators, Stuntman will be essential for fans of the 1980s golden era.
This hard-hitting story is directed by real-life stuntmen turned filmmakers Albert and Herbert Leung. The directors channel their experiences to combine bruising action with a deeply moving story, showcasing stunt professionals’ enduring impact and legacy. Trinity CineAsia presents Stuntman in UK and Irish cinemas from October 11th.
The line-up and fantastic guest list for this year’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Halloween event, which takes place at the Odeon Luxe West End on Friday, November 1st and 2nd.
Opening the event is Sam Yates’ Magpie, an intense psychological thriller starring Daisy Ridley, who will be attending the screening alongside her husband and Magpie writer/producer Tom Bateman.
Magpie
Next up is Parvulos, from Mexican director Isaac Ezban. The first day will close with the world premiere of Advent, the latest from Airell Hayes, which stars Mark Arnold and Nicholas Vince, who will join Hayes at the screening.
Saturday opens with The Bitter Taste, directed by Guido Tolke, which will be a world premiere. YouTubers Boston McConnaughey and Renny Grames will be attendance for Alien Country. The body count is high in the Indonesian film The Draft!, which is followed by Time Travel is Dangerous, a comedy fantasy from writer/producers Hilary and Anna-Elizabeth Shakespeare and co-written/directed by Chris Reading. Many of the eclectic cast will be attending alongside the filmmakers, including Jane Horrocks, Brian Blessed, Laura Aikman, Brian Bovell, Guy Henry, Ruth Syratt, Tom Lenk, and Simon Killick.
Time Travel is Dangerous
Director Teddy Grennan will be there with his film Catch a Killer. Rounding up the festival is Emma Benestan’s celebrated film Animale.
Paul McEvoy, FrightFest co-director, said: “What a perfect Halloween Treat we have lined up for everyone this year. A wonderful movie mix-tape of nine exciting, exceptional, new and varied genre titles. There is something for every film fan along with an incredible list of guest attendees. This will be a sensational end to our 25th Anniversary banner year and we hope you all enjoy.”
Passes and tickets go on sale at noon on Saturday, November 5th.
Prices: Two-day pass – £79 | Friday 1st day pass – £33 | Saturday 28th Day pass – £59
DC Studios and HBO are hitting the final casting stages on their much-publicised Lanterns series, with Aaron Pierre and Stephan James reportedly in the mix to play fan favourite hero John Stewart.
Damson Idris was previously a favourite to play the hero, but is no longer being considered due to scheduling conflicts. The casting of Hal Jordan was announced recently, to be played by Emmy winner Kyle Chandler.
Aaron Pierre was most recently seen in Rebel Ridge and M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, after first gaining recognition for his role as Dev-Em in the sci-fi series Krypton. He also voiced Mufasa in Barry Jenkins’ upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King. Stephan James, meanwhile, made his name in another of Jenkins’ works. He starred in If Beale Street Could Talk, before going on to Homecoming, 21 Bridges, and this year’s The Piano Lesson.
Lanterns is described as having a gritty, True Detective vibe as it focuses on Jordan reluctantly mentoring a younger Lantern, John Stewart. The story sees the two characters investigating an Earth-bound murder with larger implications. Hailing from Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen) and comics writer Tom King, Lanterns scored a straight-to-series order this summer after years trapped in development hell. The three are co-writing and exec producing the series.
As we reported at the time: “The news comes after an almost five-year-long development process at HBO Max, as they were originally developing the series with producer Greg Berlanti, the mastermind of the DC Arrowverse on The CW and one of the writers on the ill-fated, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively-starring 2011 Green Lantern feature film. Initially, the series was going to centre on Guy Gardner and Alan Scott, with Seth Grahame-Smith coming aboard as writer and showrunner, even writing a full season’s worth of scripts for the show.
“With a creative overhaul in 2022, however, Grahame-Smith’s vision was scrapped and the powers that be chose to refocus the series around John Stewart, another member of the Lantern Corps and the first Black superhero to appear in DC Comics.
Maika Monroe, who recently dazzled in the acclaimed horror Longlegs, has been tapped to star in 20th Century Studios’ remake of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. The feature is being directed by Michelle Garza Cervera and is being produced by Radar Pictures’ Ted Field, and Michael Schaefer and Mike Larocca via their Department M banner.
The original 1992 thriller follows two women: Claire Bartel and Peyton Flanders, played by Annabella Sciorra and Rebecca De Mornay, respectively. When she was assaulted by her doctor, Claire reported him to the police, and rather than go to prison for his crime, he killed himself. The shock of the accusations and suicide caused the doctor’s pregnant wife, Peyton, to have a miscarriage and be left penniless due to his life insurance being voided. Driven mad with rage and grief, Peyton poses as a nanny for the Bartel family. Her plan is to tear Claire’s life apart, seduce her husband, and eventually murder the woman she blames for ruining her life while taking possession of her family.
The reimagining was conceived by Cervera and scripted by Micah Bloomberg, creator of the anthology show Homecoming and writer of the thriller Sanctuary. Despite The Hand That Rocks the Cradle being a two-hander, the casting of the mother has not been announced.
De Armas stars as a ballerina turned assassin named Eve Macarro, who begins to train in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Romawho as she seeks revenge for the murder of her family. Reeves also appears in a cameo in Ballerina, which takes place between the events of the third and fourth Wick films. Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, the late Lance Reddick in his final screen appearance, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus and Ian McShane also star.
Len Wiseman (Underworld) directs the action thriller from a script by Shay Hatten (Army of the Dead, Parabellum).
Ballerina initially shot in 2022, and was slated to release in cinemas in June 2024. But in February, Lionsgate delayed the feature to June 6th, 2025, in order to allow John Wick director Chad Stahelski to assist with improving the action, and he worked with Wiseman to shoot new action sequences this year. From what we see in the trailer, the extra work more than paid off.
The ballerina-turned-assassin previously made a brief appearance in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, played at the time by Unity Phelan.
Watch the trailer for From the World of John Wick: Ballerina below:
Amazon MGM Studios is moving forward with their planned RoboCop television series, now with horror genre titan James Wan on board to executive produce through his Atomic Monster label.
Peter Ockohas also been brought on to write, executive produce and showrun the project. He is best known for his writing and producing work on a number of popular television series, including Pushing Daisies, The Office, The Leftovers, Elementary, Black Sails, and recently Lodge 49.
As Deadline states, “The series will follow the premise of the films, focusing on a giant tech conglomerate which collaborates with the local police department to introduce a technologically advanced enforcer to combat rising crime — a police officer who’s part man, part machine.”
This isn’t the first time that RoboCop has been adapted to television. The first film, starring Peter Weller, premiered in 1987. It was followed by two sequels, Robocop 2 in 1990, Robocop 3 in 1993 and 2014’s Robocop, a remake of the 1987 film. After the first three films were released, RoboCop: The Series premiered in 1994 with Richard Eden in the titular role, though the series lacked the graphic violence of the first two films and was targeted more towards children and teenagers.
