SXSW’s Midnighters lineup features heavy metal demons, immortal cannibal Henry Rollins
A little more than a week after announcing the majority of its 2015 film lineup, SXSW has released a list of the 11 titles in this year’s Midnighters slate. The midnight-movie portion of the festival has traditionally been devoted to genre fare, i.e., sci-fi and horror films. This year’s section includes both, as well as thrillers and dark comedies. Nine of the 11 features are world premieres—the others, Turbo Kid and The Nightmare, both played at Sundance. (You can read The A.V. Club’s Sundance review of The Nightmare here.) Details on the films, which include Henry Rollins (yes, that Henry Rollins) as a cannibal, as well as trailers where available, are below.
The Corpse Of Anna Fritz
Anna Fritz, a famous and beautiful actress, has died recently. Three young men sneak into the morgue to see her naked. Fascinated by her beauty, they decide to become the last people to have sex with her. Director: Hèctor Hernández Vicens Cast: Alba Ribas, Cristian Valencia, Bernat Saumell, Albert Carbó (World Premiere)
Deathgasm
New kid in town Brodie and bad-boy Zakk quickly bond over their mutual admiration of heavy metal. But when these two metal thrashing losers unwittingly summon malevolent forces, their dreams of stardom may just have to be put on hold. Director/Screenwriter: Jason Lei Howden Cast: Milo Cawthorne, James Blake, Kimberley Crossman, Stephen Ure (World Premiere)
The Diabolical
When a single mother and her two young children are tormented by an increasingly strange and intense presence, she turns to her science teacher boyfriend to help take on the violent forces that paranormal experts are too frightening to face. Director: Alistair Legrand Cast: Ali Larter, Arjun Gupta, Max Rose, Merrin Dungey (World Premiere)
Excess Flesh
Obsessed with her sexy roommate, Jill violently imprisons Jennifer in their apartment in a twisted attempt to bring them closer together. Director: Patrick Kennelly Cast: Bethany Orr, Mary Loveless, Wes McGee, Sheresade Poblet (World Premiere)
Hangman
Returning from vacation, the Miller family find their home has been broken into. After cleaning up the mess they continue with their lives, shaking off the feeling of being violated. But little do they know the nightmare has just begun. Director: Adam Mason Cast: Jeremy Sisto, Kate Ashfield, Ty Simpkins, Ryan Simpkins (World Premiere)
He Never Died
Jack is a man battling his eternal struggle with cannibalism. There are very few reasons to live when you can’t die. Director/Screenwriter: Jason Krawczyk Cast: Henry Rollins, Steven Ogg, Kate Greenhouse, BooBoo Stewart (World Premiere)
The Invitation
While attending a dinner party at his former home, a man thinks his ex-wife and her new husband have sinister intention for their guests. Director: Karyn Kusama Cast: Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, Michiel Huisman, Emayatzy Corinealdi (World Premiere)
The Nightmare
The Nightmare is an original horror documentary from the Oscar winning producer of Undefeated, the producer of Jiro Dreams of Sushi, and the producer of The Pact and is directed by Rodney Ascher, the acclaimed director of Room 237. Director: Rodney Ascher
Pod
A family intervention goes horrifically awry within the snowy confines of an isolated lake house. Director/Screenwriter: Mickey Keating Cast: Lauren Ashley Carter, Dean Cates, Brian Morvant, Larry Fessenden (World Premiere)
Turbo Kid
In a post-apocalyptic future, The Kid, a young solitary scavenger obsessed with comic books, must face his fears and become a hero when he meets a mysterious girl named Apple. Director/Screenwriter: RKSS Collective Cast: Michael Ironside, Munro Chambers, Laurence Leboeuf, Edwin Wright
We Are Still Here
In the cold, winter fields of New England, there sits a house that wakes up every 30 years and demands a sacrifice. Director/Screenwriter: Ted Geoghegan Cast: Barbara Crampton, Andrew Sensenig, Larry Fesseden, Lisa Marie (World Premiere)