MAL’S TOP 10 OPENING AND CLOSING FILMS
Hello everyone, for those that don’t know me, my name is Mal, I’ve been coming to FrightFest since 2010. I had heard about it for a few years prior but wasn’t confident of going on my own, but when I heard A SERBIAN FILM was originally screening I thought this is the place to watch this, I took the plunge but by the time I decided what to see, A SERBIAN FILM had been pulled so, my first film at FrightFest was RED HILL. Since then I’ve been a regular 2011 I bought a day pass, 2012 a weekend pass and 2013 a full festival pass and I haven't looked back since.
Now that FrightFest is celebrating its 25th anniversary, I’ve been reflecting on past festivals and put together a list of all the opening and closing films over the years. Looking back, there have been some real gems. FrightFest not only celebrates horror but also highlights emerging directors and films from around the world. When I first shared the list, people asked me to share my thoughts on the films, how the screenings went, and how they were received. I realised that I could only speak to the ones I actually attended, so I split it into two parts: my top 10 opening and closing films I experienced firsthand, and a list of the ones I wish I had been at FrightFest to watch!!
So here goes…
TOP 5 CLOSING FRIGHTFEST FILMS I WAS THERE FOR…
2011 - DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
My first opening film, it set me up for years of opening film goodness at FrightFest and was part of a cracking opening night with Final Destination 5 following it.
2014 - THE GUEST
How cool was this film? Audiences loved it, everyone walked out talking about Dan Stevens for one reason or another and it kicked off 2014 in style!
2017 - CULT OF CHUCKY
Was great to see a Chucky film open FrightFest, as a Chucky fan this was fun to see and a definite crowd pleaser!
2023 - SUITABLE FLESH
Last year's opening film had everyone going. Lovecraftian fun, Heather Graham and Babara Crampton fighting it out and the crowd just taking it all in, kicked off a great festival!
2019 - LORDS OF CHAOS - Glasgow
The Thursday film at Glasgow was this tough watch. There were a couple of incidents in the audience due to one particular scene but overall it was a brutal way to kick off 2019.
TOP 5 CLOSING FRIGHTFEST FILMS I WAS THERE FOR…
2013 - BIG BAD WOLVES
The final film ever to screen at the old Empire. Difficult subject matter, an audience knocked for six but how it was handled and how this played out. Went down a treat.
2016 - TRAIN TO BUSAN
Tears at the end of the film at FrightFest Shepherds Bush. An amazing zombie film, lots of emotion and a crowd walking out knowing they had witnessed a memorable closing film.
2017 - TRAGEDY GIRLS
This was a fun closing film, served the crowd well and left everyone on a high with this teen slasher. With nods to 80’s/90’s teen horror and teen movies it was a top cloning film.
2018 - CLIMAX
You had to be there for this screening. It split the audiences but also gave you one of the best intros to a film there’s been. So much happened, audiences walked out needing a minute just to breathe again!
2021 - THE SADNESS
Another one that split audiences due to its extreme nature but another strong closing film that left FrightFesters with plenty to discuss and digest and question too!
Mal Jutley
