FrightFest 2026 - Day 4
The Last Temptation of Becky
Jenn Wexler, 2026, USA
Tedious American Teenager Strop vs. Cartoon Nazis.
And as long as you're punching Nazis, anything goes.
The Glorious Dead
Toby Poser, John Adams, 2026, USA
The Adam’s family continues to prove a reliable brand, full of ideas that they know how to film locally, no matter the scope. Armed arguably with Tobey Poser and Zelda Adam’s’ strongest performances yet, what starts off as a mystery of disappearances of townsfolk and escalating out from there, knowing when to stop before biting off more than it can chew. Full of nice interactions - Sheriff and Mom being the standout - impressive underplayed uncanny moments and make-up designs, celebrating and criticising small town Americana, leaving religious and atheist possibilities up in the air, this is a fun indie that knows what personal horror is.
Alien
Ridley Scott, 1979, USA-UK
To see on the big-screen is to marvel and relish the production design. Who knew spaceships could be so damp, drippy, steamy and droolly? To see again is to marvel at how shocking the whole face-hugger and alien transformation must have been, the mystery and surprise, and then - still reeling from the alien - the shock of Ash. I do not have to wonder why it terrified me as a kid and gave me nightmares.
For fans of exploitation rampaging masked killer comfort food
Spider Island
Christopher Smith, 2026, UK
Actually goes easy on its influencers (you have to go to 'Species' for that) and saves its ire for the toxic hotel owner. The spiders are just CGI, so no real fun there. Tim McInnerny steals the show even set against an expendable gaggle of broad types, although Divian Ladwa for runner-up. It is funny enough when not trying to be poignant and at least benefits from a sunny look and swift pace. Harmless fun, then, even if the premise suggests promises more.
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