Arrow Video FrightFest 2018 had an incredible 70 films showing across the festival this year.
We spent five days cramming in as many as we could and the quality was impressive. Aside from a couple of stinkers, most of the films were hugely enjoyable with a wide variety of styles on display.
After spending the week after the festival mulling it over, we’ve selected our Top 15 films of Arrow Video FrightFest 2018. Find out which ones made the cut…
15. The Most Assassinated Woman in the World
Franck Ribière’s debut feature is a visually stunning and engaging film with a strong central performance from Anna Mouglalis. Clever, chilling and intense, the period horror is a fine way to kick off our best films list.
Read our review of The Most Assassinated Woman in the World.
14. Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires
It’s taken a long time for Mike Mort to create his Chuck Steel feature film and it didn’t disappoint. Frequently hilarious with plenty of gore, Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires is an impressive animated film that delivers on every front.
Read our review of Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires.
13. St. Agatha
There may be a boom right now for scary nuns on film but St. Agatha is one of the smartest we’ve seen in a long time. With a breakout performance from Sabrina Kern and an utterly terrifying performance from Carolyn Hennesy, St. Agatha plays on all your worst fears and scares the bejesus out of you.
Read our review of St. Agatha.
12. A Young Man With High Potential
A fairly divisive film due to its subject matter, A Young Man With High Potential is pretty remarkable. Film-maker Linus de Paoli relishes taking you through the horror that lead character Piet goes through and he leaves you utterly conflicted by the end.
Read our review of A Young Man With High Potential.
11. Terrified
One of the scariest films at Arrow Video FrightFest, Terrified does what it says on the tin. The Argentinian supernatural horror will have you checking under your bed and worrying that there’s a monster living in your walls. It also has an excellent and scary opening.
10. Crystal Eyes
CRYSTAL EYES from FrightFest on Vimeo.
The guiltiest pleasure on this list, Crystal Eyes is a bold debut from Ezequiel Endelman and Leandro Montejano. With a fab 80s setting, a fantastic killer mannequin and the camp turned up to glorious, Crystal Eyes is a fresh and original take on the slasher genre.
Read our review of Crystal Eyes.
9. Bad Samaritan
David Tennant plays bad and he’s surprisingly good at it. Starring opposite the excellent Robert Sheehan, Tennant is a truly menacing bad guy who has a woman held captive in his house. Bad Samaritan is a nail-biter and there are some decent jump scares too.
Read our review of Bad Samaritan.
8. The Ranger
Jenn Wexler’s film opened this year’s festival and it’s a winner. With standout performances from Chloe Levine and Granit Lahu, The Ranger is a throwback to 80s horror with a punk soundtrack. What more do you need us to tell you before you go check it out?
Read our review of The Ranger.
7. Anna and the Apocalypse
A zombie apocalypse musical you say? We didn’t think it would work either but it did and it’s incredible. Original, fresh and full of memorable moments, Anna and the Apocalypse is going to be huge. It’s also perfect for Halloween and Christmas!
Read our review of Anna and the Apocalypse.
6. The Laplace’s Demon
THE LAPLACE’S DEMON – Official Trailer 2018 from AstroLab Pictures® on Vimeo.
The most high brow of the film’s shown at this year’s festival, The Laplace’s Demon is an incredible achievement in film. Shot with no sets and using only rear projections, this black-and-white tale marries Agatha Christie with Alfred Hitchcock for a thrilling ride.
Read our review of The Laplace’s Demon.
5. A Bluebird in My Heart
Emotional, violent and utterly compelling, A Bluebird in My Heart is expertly directed by Jérémie Guez. With a lot of heart packed into it, the film is a real gem and if you’re not shedding a tear by the end, you’ve got no heart.
Read our review of A Bluebird in My Heart.
4. The Dark
A mesmerising exploration of the effect abuse has on children, The Dark takes you to very dark places. Gripping, emotive and horrifying, it’s a film that will move and disturb you.
3. Summer Of ’84
Stranger Things meets Rear Window is the best way to describe Summer Of ’84. The story of four friends who believe their neighbour is a serial killer will keep you guessing until the very end. It’s packed with remarkable performances from its young cast and you’ll be on the edge-of-your-seat the whole time.
Read our review of Summer Of ’84.
2. F.U.B.A.R.
Ben Kent’s directorial debut is an absolute riot. If you cross Shaun of the Dead with The Inbetweeners, this is what you get. Mark Heap is a scene-stealer and the whole film is laugh-out-loud funny.
1. Videoman
Kristian A. Söderström’s Videoman is a breath of fresh air and an absolute masterpiece. A missing VHS tape sends a man on a surprisingly emotional journey in this deeply moving, very emotional and often thrilling film. Not only the best film of Arrow Video FrightFest 2018 but one of the best films we’ve seen this year.
