Cinema Scholars takes a look back at some of the must-see films from Fantastic Fest 2022.
THE MENU
If Fantastic Fest is the genre film bellwether it’s purported to be, then get ready for some pretty hardcore mainstream horror to round out 2022. Leading the charge with its U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest, The Menu is sure to make even the most seasoned of jaws drop.
In The Menu, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) embark on a foodie’s dream. A fine-dining event so exclusive, its remote island location can be reached by ferry only. With a live-in staff who follow every command of Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes), the vibe is decidedly more cult than culinary. Among the guests, magnates mingle with famous actors, tech bros, and pop culture tastemakers.
As one of the few normals attending the coveted dinner, Margot is not at all entranced by Chef and his denizens. Much to Tyler’s embarrassment, Margot’s lack of enthusiasm catches the attention of his epicurean idol. Soon, it is made crystal clear to Margot that she doesn’t belong, as the Chef’s intricate menu for the evening gradually unfolds, course by course, to reveal retribution for terrible truths among his fold.
Takeaways
Director Mark Mylod weaves a witty and mysterious tale of exclusive esoterism paired with shocking imagery usually reserved for more traditional horror. Chapters of the film are cleverly broken into courses, i.e. amuse bouche, first course, etc. These markers provide hints, commentary, and even humor as the meal and story progress. Though Chef’s unique brand of comeuppance isn’t fully explained for every guest in the house, you can almost taste the feeling of inescapable dread that gradually mounts. Moments of legit humor mercifully puncture the darkness, sometimes when you’re not entirely sure you should be laughing.
And boy is it delicious watching Fiennes chew up the screen with an almost gentle menace. This, along with a surprising amount of gore, might have those coming to see “the girl from Queen’s Gambit” hiding their eyes. But for those who love some shock and awe in their cinema, the wicked twists and unexpected brutality of The Menu is the chef’s kiss.
Searchlight Pictures will release The Menu in theaters nationwide on November 18, 2022.
BONES AND ALL
Speaking of mainstream jaw-dropping films, the premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s Bones And All had this year’s Fantastic Fest film-goers giddy with so many big names attached to a film that is so grisly and macabre.
In the Bones And All universe, many unlucky individuals are quietly afflicted with a most unsavory condition. They must consume human flesh to survive. The whys and hows of the problematic proclivity are revealed in vague bits as the young antagonist, Maren (Taylor Russell), searches for answers regarding her gruesome appetite.
Along the way, she meets several characters of her ilk. Mark Rylance plays a kindly gentleman who has figured out a gentler, albeit ghoulish, way to satisfy his cravings. And a brief but memorable appearance by fellow flesh eater Michael Stuhlbarg and a subtly disturbing David Gordon Green also lend the film gravitas.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise among the list of high-profile talent in Bones And All is the film’s costar, “It Boy” Timothée Chalamet. As Lee, Maren’s deeply conflicted street-smart partner, Chalamet provides the true charisma of the picture as the duo figure out how to live their lives on the fringe. While Chalamet has certainly proven his talent with several award-winning performances already under his belt, Bones And All further proves that the wunderkind isn’t afraid to tackle even the most forbidden subject matter.
Takeaways
Despite the generous character arcs, complex themes, and Oscar-caliber talent, (not to mention a haunting score by rock star composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross) Bones And All is a verified cannibal flick. A very pretty and profound cannibal flick posing as a coming-of-age film. One that might just indoctrinate more than a few unwitting Chalamaniacs into the dark world of genre cinema.
Bones And All debuts in theaters nationwide on November 18, 2022 courtesy of United Artists Releasing, an arm of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
MEDUSA DELUXE
Cinephiles have come to recognize the A24 banner as a stamp of must-see approval. It wouldn’t feel like Fantastic Fest without an A24 film gracing the silver screen of the Alamo Drafthouse. From The Lobster, American Honey, and Mid90s to The Witch, Tusk, and Killing Of A Sacred Deer, the trendsetting company boasts a long roster of festival favorites. And this year’s A24 entry, Medusa Deluxe, does not disappoint.
Set in the cutthroat world of competitive hairstyling, Medusa Deluxe is a whodunit like you’ve never seen. The story begins in the immediate aftermath of a stylist’s apparent murder-by-scalping (poetic, no?) at a heated annual competition. As fellow artists, models, and organizers take turns pointing fingers around the labyrinthine backstage hallways and rooms, the story of the recently deceased and his possible assailant takes shape.
While the story of Medusa Deluxe is compelling enough, writer/director Thomas Hardiman ups the ante by filming the feature-length murder mystery in a singular take. At least if it’s not one take, any transitions are imperceivable and completely convey the urgency of real-time unraveling. As the movie progresses, the keen viewer will be captivated by the story as well as intrigued by the filmmaking sorcery it must have taken Hardiman and cinematographer Robbie Ryan to pull off the single-shot dogma.
With a spartan score and sound design, the film relies almost entirely on the incredible performances of the ensemble cast. The meandering format lends itself to some stunning scenes. The actors revel in the benefit of live performance but in this unique production, their stage is constantly moving.
Takeaways
We haven’t even mentioned the baby yet. That’s right, in this live-action drama, one of the key characters has a little one in tow and this isn’t any Clint Eastwood doll. This cast member is a living breathing cherub who makes several lengthy appearances throughout the story without ruining the never-ending take! Yet another detail to marvel at in this clever drama. Medusa Deluxe is a gripping murder mystery within an astonishing feat of filmmaking. And a worthy addition to the ever-growing A24 catalog.
LIVING WITH CHUCKY
Horror freaks from the last century know that the 1980s were a treasure trove of dreadful delights. From sequels to classic 70s slashers to a bevy of monster flicks like Critters and Ghoulies, the decade of excess didn’t disappoint in the kooky, campy genre department. While most of these franchises ran their course, there remains one entry that can’t-stop-won’t-stop over thirty years later. Who would’ve ever guessed that Child’s Play, a film about a possessed doll, would end up as such an enduring horror saga and cultural touchstone with an ever-growing fanbase?
In the new documentary Living With Chucky, director Kyra Elise Gardner chronicles the long life of the pint-sized horror stalwart. Insightful interviews with creator Don Mancini, visual effects guru Tony Gardner, and esteemed actor Brad Dourif (who has voiced Chucky since day one) give fascinating backstory about the making of the unlikely psycho killer. Additional interviews with the fabulous Bride of Chucky star Jennifer Tilly as well as genre faves and fans like Lin Shaye and John Waters round out an enthralling commentary on the horror legacy.
To keep the exhaustive oral history engaging, Gardner uses clever additional visuals. VHS copies of Child’s Play and its sequels being fed into an old VCR (and later, DVDs on a slide tray) serve as perfect chapter markers. And B roll footage of the methodical construction of an actual Good Guy “Chucky” doll also helps give the doc a well-rounded feel.
Takeaways
A third-act revelation about the director’s connection to the franchise via her father, veteran Child’s Play animatronics and visual effects expert Tony Gardner, truly seals the deal. Her personal perspective, plus discussions about inclusion and even the meta casting of Dourif’s daughter, Fiona, in Chucky’s latest turn help further illustrate the extended family and devoted fan base Child’s Play ultimately created.
No word on dates yet, but Yellow Veil Pictures acquired the distribution rights to Living With Chucky and plans a Fall release of the much-anticipated documentary.
THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
Fantastic Fest may be best known for the yearly onslaught of over-the-top films from around the world. But longtime festival-goers also know to look out for the quieter, quirky hidden gems among the madness. Past entries like the riotously funny Klown or more bizarre fare like The Lobster are some of the more memorable films from past lineups. At this year’s fest, Martin McDonagh’s peculiar drama The Banshees Of Inisherin fits this bill with a funny, whimsical, and only mildly bloody Irish period piece.
After years of meeting daily at the local pub of their tiny island hamlet, Colm (Brendan Gleeson) decides that he no longer wants to share the company of simpleton neighbor Pádraic (Colin Farrell). With a meanness only a loved one can inflict, Colm meets his longtime friend’s continued incorrigible advances with an ultimatum. For each subsequent attempt at reconciliation, the curmudgeon vows to cut off a finger from his own hand. As Pádraic fumbles the deal, it seems that Colm’s endeavor has underpinnings more serious than anyone (except maybe his best friend) could understand.
Director Martin McDonagh reunites with his In Bruges stars to tell a brutally honest and twisted tale of friendship in the face of life’s changing seasons. Colin Farrell’s hilariously endearing take on the doltish Pádriac will make you giggle while your heart aches. All the while Gleeson’s ire as Colm is as intimidating as it is emotionally provocative, making the audience question what could turn a friend’s heart so cold so quickly.
Takeaways
Aside from the somewhat comical strife, The Banshees Of Inisherin is also a lovely ode to a simpler time. A time when people lived off the land, neighbors helped one another, and the pub is full by 2:00 pm. Small but charming details of a bygone era bolster the central narrative. And the idyllic landscapes cinematographer Ben Davis so lovingly captures help offset the film’s tar-black tones. In the realm of unorthodox stories with an element of gory goodness, The Banshees Of Inisherin hits that delightfully unnerving sweet spot. Go for the captivating period piece, but stay for the off-the-wall tale of devotion.
Searchlight Pictures will release The Banshees Of Inisherin in theaters nationwide starting on October 21, 2022.
