The Fantastic Pavilion presents a weekly recap with the most relevant news about the world of genre cinema.
News
Sideshow and Janus Films released the trailer for David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds (2024), which stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger and Guy Pearce. The Shrouds will open in New York and Los Angeles theaters on April 18, and nationwide on April 25.
Official synopsis: “A techno-entrepreneur named Karsh (Cassel) has developed a new software that will allow the bereaved to bear witness to the gradual decay of loved ones dead and buried in the earth. While Karsh is still reeling from the loss of his wife (Kruger) from cancer – and falling into a peculiar sexual relationship with his wife’s sister (also Kruger) – a spate of vandalized graves utilizing his shroud technology begins to put his enterprise at risk, leading him to uncover a potentially vast conspiracy.”
Cineverse unveiled the teaser poster for Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger (2023). A couple of stills from the flick, featuring Peter Dinklage as the toxic hero, were also published by the U.S. distributor. This remake of Troma’s 1984 cult classic will hit cinemas on August 29.
As we reported last week, the Norwegian horror film The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren, 2025) reaches U.S. theaters on April 18, thanks to IFC Films and Shudder. And now you can watch its trailer.
Synopsis: “The Ugly Stepsister follows Elvira (Lea Myren) as she prepares to earn the prince’s affection at any cost. In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss) to become the belle of the ball.”
Rosario (2025), starring Emeraude Toubia and David Dastmalchian, got an official trailer, ahead of its May 2 theatrical release in the U.S.
This supernatural horror movie follows Rosario Fuentes (Toubia), who “returns to her grandmother’s apartment after her sudden death. While sorting through her grandmother’s belongings, Rosario uncovers a hidden chamber filled with occult artifacts tied to dark generational rituals. As supernatural occurrences plague her, Rosario must confront her family’s buried secrets and face the truth about the sacrifices and choices they made.”
Festivals
The Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF) welcomed two film festivals as new competitive members: the Mumbai-based Wench Film Festival and Isla Calavera (the Canary Islands Fantastic Film Festival). Both genre fests will “run the short film competition for the Méliès d’argent for the Best European Short Film.”
The Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) announced the full lineup for its upcoming 43rd edition (April 8-20). Some highlights from the program are: Chuan Lu’s Bureau 749 (749 Ju, 2024), Nacho Vigalondo’s Daniela Forever (2024), Steven Kostanski’s Frankie Freako (2024), Steffen Haars’ Get Away (2024), Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli’s Honey Bunch (2025), Soi Cheang’s Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024), and Pablo Hernando’s A Whale (Una ballena, 2024).
The Overlook Film Festival has added more movies to its 2025 lineup, including Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud (Kuraudo, 2024), Aislinn Clarke’s Fréwaka (2024), the aforementioned Rosario, and Mattias J Skoglund’s The Home (Hemmet, 2025). The ninth edition of the Overlook Fest is taking place in New Orleans, from April 3 to 6. You can find the full schedule here.