The Fantastic Pavilion presents a weekly recap with the most relevant news about the world of genre cinema.
News
Sony Pictures shared the first official trailer and several posters for the anticipated sci-fi horror film 28 Years Later (2025), sequel to 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007). Just like the original, this third movie was written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle. It stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes. It’ll hit theaters on June 20, 2025.
The Gorge (2025) is the new movie from Scott Derrickson (Sinister, The Black Phone). Judging from its trailer, The Gorge follows two elite snipers (Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy) as they embark on an enigmatic mission that involves stopping what’s in the titular gorge, referred to as “the door to hell.” The flick will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on February 14.
XYZ Films presented the poster for The Ritual (2025), their upcoming exorcism movie about two priests (played by Dan Stevens and Al Pacino) and a possessed woman. The Ritual is set to open in U.S. theaters on April 18, in time for Easter weekend.
In last week’s recap we talked about the upcoming horror comedy Bloody Axe Wound (2025), which now has an official poster. Bloody Axe Wound is about a macabre family business: essentially making snuff tapes. RLJE Films and Shudder will release it in select theaters in the U.S. on December 27.
Like the classic slashers Black Christmas (1974) and Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), Damien Leone’s horror hit Terrifier 3 (2024) is set during Christmas season. Therefore it’s completely appropriate that Terrifier 3 is returning to U.S. theaters on December 24 and 25. Fans will be able to see before the show a special introduction by Leone and also a sneak peek at the upcoming documentary Art Attack! The Dissection of Terrifier 3 (2025).
Old Guy (2024) promises to be a crime comedy about a veteran hitman (Christoph Waltz) who ends up partnering with a much younger guy (Cooper Hoffman). The movie was directed by Simon West and also stars Lucy Lui. It’ll be released in select U.S. theaters and on digital on February 21. Watch here its trailer.
Festivals
The Sundance Film Festival announced the lineup for its 2025 edition (January 23-February 2). The Midnight section is certainly the one to follow for anyone interested in genre cinema. Check out the official information of the seven 2025 Midnighters:
Dead Lover (Director: Grace Glowicki, Canada). A lonely gravedigger who stinks of corpses finally meets her dream man, but their whirlwind affair is cut short when he tragically drowns at sea. Grief-stricken, she goes to morbid lengths to resurrect him through madcap scientific experiments, resulting in grave consequences and unlikely love.
Didn’t Die (Director: Meera Menon, U.S.). A podcast host desperately clings to an ever-shrinking audience in the zombie apocalypse.
Opus (Director: Mark Anthony Green, U.S.). A young writer is invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago. Surrounded by the star’s cult of sycophants and intoxicated journalists, she finds herself in the middle of his twisted plan.
Rabbit Trap (Director: Bryn Chainey, UK). When a musician and her husband move to a remote house in Wales, the music they make disturbs local ancient folk magic, bringing a nameless child to their door who is intent on infiltrating their lives.
Together (Director: Michael Shanks, Australia, U.S.) With a move to the countryside already testing the limits of a couple’s relationship, a supernatural encounter begins an extreme transformation of their love, their lives, and their flesh.
Touch Me (Director: Addison Heimann, U.S.). Two codependent best friends become addicted to the heroin-like touch of an alien narcissist who may or may not be trying to take over the world.
The Ugly Stepsister (Director: Emilie Blichfeldt, Norway). In a fairy-tale kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira battles to compete with her incredibly beautiful stepsister, and she will go to any length to catch the prince’s eye.