The biggest UK horror film festival is almost upon us, and ahead of the Thursday start date, we’ve chosen five films you shouldn’t miss at this year’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest.
BROKEN BIRD
Main Screen. Thursday, August 22nd, 5.30pm
The opening film of this year’s event is a brilliant character study of an undertaker’s assistant who hides a disturbing secret. With a standout performance from Rebecca Calder, this is one you won’t forget. You can read our interview with director Joanne Mitchell here.
THE INVISIBLE RAPTOR
Main Screen. Thursday, August 22nd, 10.25pm
Some late-night fun with this wacky hunt for an escaped lab experiment. A theme park palaeontologist and a hapless security guard are the only ones who know what’s going on and attempt to bring the unseen dinosaur back into captivity. A huge success at FrightFest Glasgow, this encore screening is worth staying up for!
GHOST GAME
Main Screen. Friday, August 23rd, 3.15pm
The second feature from Jill Gevargizian (The Stylist) follows a couple who attempt to live in a house undetected while messing with the occupants. Things get creepy, however, when something starts messing with them! A confident entry from Jill makes this a must!
THE LONELY MAN WITH THE GHOST MACHINE
Graham Skipper (who also directs) plays the last man alive on Earth who, thanks to his cosmic creation, can interact with his dead wife. The film is very intimate and even touching, blending stark black-and-white photography with stunning colour and allowing Skipper to show what an amazing actor he is.
SCARLET BLUE
Discovery Screen 1. Friday, August 23rd, 3.45pm
Yes, we know it clashes with Ghost Game, but there’s no harm in giving you an alternative! Aurélia Mengin’s mesmerising visual feast has a woman attempt to deal with her mental health by using a reclusive mystical hypnotist while having a steamy affair with a petrol station store attendant. The film is full of gorgeous imagery and saturated colours that contrast against the dark storyline. One for lovers of David Lynch!
SHELBY OAKS
Main Screen. Friday, August 23rd, 6pm
A missing person investigation gets dark when the elder sister of a YouTube star takes it upon herself to dig deep into what could have happened to her. Part mock-doc, part supernatural thriller, this movie from Chris Stuckmann goes to some extraordinary places.
CARA
Discovery Screen 2. Sunday, August 25th, 3.45pm
A mentally disturbed woman (Elle O’Hara) plots against the people that she feels caused her mental breakdown. With John Fisk (Johnny Vivash) as an accomplice, she exacts a bloody vengeance. Hayden Hewitt’s debut feature is a pitch-black nightmare that will stick with you. You can catch Cara on digital platforms from February 3rd, 2025.
NEVER HAVE I EVER
Discovery Screen 1. Sunday, August 25th, 6.20pm
Andrew Lee Potts plays an alcoholic writer whose life is about to get worse when a series of events lead to a deadly game. An impressive debut feature from FrightFest regular Damon Rickard is a gripping, twisted nightmare.
CHARLOTTE
Discovery Screen 1. Monday, August 26th, 1.30pm
Dealing with the ultimate of taboo subjects, Georgia Conlan’s debut sees a young schoolgirl arrive at the door of a house way off the beaten path. The man living there (Dean Kilbey) gives her shelter, but as his stay continues, his intentions may not be as altruistic as they appear. This is a superb but disturbing and upsetting movie that doesn’t shy away from being ultra-grim.
THE DOCUMENTARIES
Among the highlights of every FrightFest are the documentaries, and 2024 is no exception. And we’re going to cheat and have all four docs as one must-see attraction. Children of the Wicker Man (Discovery Screen 1, Fri 23rd, 8.45pm) has the sons of Robin Hardy, the director of one of the most celebrated horror films of all time, come to terms with what it was like living in the shadow of the sacrificial effigy. Boutique: To Preserve and Collect (Discovery Screen 2, Sat 24th, 6pm), is an insightful look at the video labels that bring the classic and obscure to the avid fans (slipcase not included). The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee (Main Screen, Sun 25th, 1.20pm), takes a fresh slant at biographical docs by having the late actor narrate his own story via the medium of puppetry and impersonation. Generation Terror (Discovery Screen 2, Mon 26th, 3.15pm) puts the spotlight on the horror movies that have entered the zeitgeist at the start of the new millennium.
Pigeon Shrine FrightFest runs from Thursday, August 22nd to Monday, August 26th. You can book tickets and see the full schedule here.
