The Fantastic Pavilion presents a weekly recap with the most relevant news about the world of genre cinema.
News
Sony Pictures released the first trailer and poster for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026), the anticipated continuation of 28 Years Later (2025). 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was written by Alex Garland and directed by Nia DaCosta. It hits the big screen on January 16.
Synopsis: “Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) finds himself in a shocking new relationship – with consequences that could change the world as they know it – and Spike’s (Alfie Williams) encounter with Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) becomes a nightmare he can’t escape. In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the greatest threat to survival – the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and more terrifying.”
“What do you think happens when you die in a dream?,” asks The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) in the second trailer for Black Phone 2 (2025). Scott Derrickson’s supernatural horror sequel will celebrate its world premiere at this year’s Fantastic Fest (September 18-25). It’ll open theatrically on October 17.
Synopsis: “As Finn (Mason Thames), now 17, struggles with life after his captivity, the headstrong 15-year-old Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake. Determined to solve the mystery and end the torment for both her and her brother, Gwen persuades Finn to visit the camp during a winter storm. There, she uncovers a shattering intersection between The Grabber and her own family’s history. Together, she and Finn must confront a killer who has grown more powerful in death and more significant to them than either could imagine.”
IFC and Shudder confirmed that the zombie flick Queens of the Dead (2025) is coming to U.S. cinemas on Friday, October 24. Directed by Tina Romero – George A. Romero’s daughter –, Queens of the Dead premiered back in June at the Tribeca Festival, where it earned the Audience Award – Narrative First Place.
Synopsis: “A zombie apocalypse breaks out in Brooklyn on the night of a giant warehouse party, where an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies must put aside their drama and use their unique skills to fight against the brain-thirsty, scrolling undead.”
Hugo Ruiz’s one-shot thriller One Night with Adela (Una noche con Adela, 2023) won the Best New Narrative Director Award at the 2023 Tribeca Festival. It’s now heading to on demand in the U.S. on September 9, thanks to Tribeca Films (trailer). One Night with Adela stars Laura Galán (who’s best known for Piggy) as a “disturbed street sweeper working the night shift,” who’ll “take revenge on those who destroyed her life.”
Yellow Veil Pictures is bringing The Ice Tower (La tour de glace, 2025) to U.S. theaters on October 3. Directed by Lucile Hadžihalilović and starring Marion Cotillard, The Ice Tower got the H.R. Giger “Narcisse” Award for Best Feature Film at the 2025 Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF).
Synopsis: “The 1970s. Runaway Jeanne falls under the spell of Cristina, enigmatic star of The Snow Queen, a film being shot in the studio where she has taken refuge. A mutual fascination grows between the actress and the girl.”
Festivals
The Los Angeles-based Beyond Fest announced the retrospective Está Vivo: The Gods and Monsters of Guillermo del Toro, which is comprised of 12 pictures by the Mexican director. On October 4 and 5, del Toro will appear in person at the Egyptian Theatre for four blocks of programming: In the Mood for Love (Crimson Peak in 35mm, Nightmare Alley: Vision in Darkness and Light, The Shape of Water), From Sketch to Screen (Hellboy, Hellboy II: The Golden Army in 35mm, Blade II), The Early Years (Cronos, The Devil’s Backbone, Mimic), and The Revolution (Pan’s Labyrinth). For more details, visit the website of the American Cinematheque.
The Sitges Film Festival (October 9-19) has unveiled the 2025 lineup for its Documenta and Brigadoon sections. Documentaries about Vincent Price (The Vincent Price Legacy), Guillermo del Toro (Sangre del Toro), Kim Novak (Kim Novak’s Vertigo), Eloy de la Iglesia (Eloy de la Iglesia, Film Addict), and Enzo G. Castellari (Aquel último tiburón) are all part of Documenta.
On the other hand, the Brigadoon section includes older films like Bruno Mattei’s Rats: Night of Terror (Rats – Notte di terrore, 1984), Rubén Galindo Jr.’s Cemetery of Terror (Cementerio del terror, 1985) – as part of a tribute to Hugo Stiglitz –, J. Michael Muro’s Street Trash (1987), and Jacinto Molina’s Los cántabros (on VHS).
The Fantasia Festival is currently accepting submissions for its 2026 edition, set to take place from July 16 to August 2. The final deadline to submit is April 15. It’s worth noting that Fantasia is celebrating next year its “extra special” 30th edition.