July 20th, 2023 kicks off the 27th edition of Fantasia International Film Festival. All the way through August 9th, film fans attending the festival get to experience a plethora of short and feature films from across the globe in every genre you could imagine. This will be my fourth year covering Fantasia, and it never disappoints. As always, this year’s festival includes a wonderful collection of horror films. With so many options, it’s difficult to decide which films to be most excited about. Here are some of the films I’m most excited for at the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival.

The Adams Family impressed me at Fantasia back in 2021 with their film, Hellbender (which I also wrote about for my Uterus Horror column on Certified Forgotten). This year, they’re returning to the festival for the world premiere of their latest film, Where the Devil Roams. The Adams Family is back doing what they do best, working in front of and behind the camera to tell a unique tale of horror. Where the Devil Roams is a depression-era period piece that deals with family, magic, crime, and survival. This is one film indie horror fans won’t want to miss.

Another world premiere audiences should be excited about is The Sacrifice Game. Directed by Jenn Wexler (The Ranger), who also co-wrote the film with Sean Redlitz, The Sacrifice Game is a story of survival as a small group of teenagers and staff at a boarding school over Christmas break in the 1970’s battle against unspeakable evil. From the description, this film is going to have it all; gore, supernatural thrills, a secluded location, and plenty of mayhem. It has all the makings of a holiday horror staple.

If you’re a fan of Turbo Kid and Summer of 84, then you will not want to miss the latest film by François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell (collectively known as RKSS). Based on a graphic novel, We Are Zombies is a horror comedy that shows a very different kind of zombie. If RKSS’s past work is any indication, audiences are sure to be treated to lots of laughs and plenty of gore. This will be the world premiere for We Are Zombies, and it will be the closing film, which promises the festival will end with a bang.

Those who have followed me for a while will know I’m always on the lookout for new films that could fit into the Uterus Horror subgenre. Tiger Stripes, a film all the way from Malaysia, sure sounds like a Uterus Horror film. Compared to films like Raw and Ginger Snaps, Tiger Stripes is a coming-of-age story of a 12-year-old girl living in rural Malaysia. Written and directed by Amanda Nell Eu, making her feature-film debut, this film promises feminism, folklore, and a monstrous transformation.

Another film at this year’s festival that has the potential to fit into the Uterus Horror subgenre is Perpetrator. Written and directed by Jennifer Reeder (Knives and Skin), Perpetrator follows a young woman approaching her 18th birthday as she goes on a unique journey of self-discovery. Reeder is known for creating genre films that are both dreamy and gruesome. Combine that with an appearance by Alicia Silverstone (Clueless) and a score created by Yeah Yeah Yeah’s guitarist Nick Zinner, and this is sure to be a standout film at Fantasia.

Along with these fantastic films, Fantasia also features some films I have already seen and reviewed. These films include Satan Wants You, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, and T Blockers, all of which I highly recommend festival attendees check out. The festival also includes special events such as artist talks, special screenings, masterclasses, book launches, and more. Be sure to check out the full schedule for Fantasia International Film Festival 2023 and grab your tickets while you can!