2021 Sundance Film Festival: Are There Any Horror Movies?

I found a full program announcement on the Sundance Institute’s blog for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Out of curiosity, I took a peek. There are a total of 71 films, but it wasn’t long before I came across films that sounded interesting, especially in their Midnight category. (It’s kind of exciting to see the horror and thriller genre represented!)

Midnight films are usually of the darker variety. Sometimes they’re horror or thrillers, sometimes dark comedies. Sometimes a combo of scary and dark comedy. Films that have premiered in the Midnight category at previous Sundance Film Fests include Relic, Hereditary, and The Babadook.

But there were movies in other categories that caught my eye too because there was something either paranormal, supernatural, or scary in their descriptions. Let’s take a look at them.

2021 Sundance Film Festival Midnight Category

There are six films in the Midnight category for this year’s Sundance Film Fest. Three of the six piqued my interest enough to want to buy tickets for their virtual screenings. I’ll denote them with an “*” after their titles. I was only able to buy tickets for two of them because one (Censor) was sold out.

1. Censor*

United Kingdom (Director: Prano Bailey-Bond, Screenwriters: Prano Bailey-Bond, Anthony Fletcher, Producer: Helen Jones) — When film censor Enid discovers an eerie horror that speaks directly to her sister’s mysterious disappearance, she resolves to unravel the puzzle behind the film and its enigmatic director – a quest blurring the lines between fiction and reality in terrifying ways. Cast: Niamh Algar, Nicholas Burns, Vincent Franklin, Sophia La Porta, Adrian Schiller, Michael Smiley. World Premiere. DAY ONE

2. Coming Home in the Dark*

New Zealand (Director: James Ashcroft, Screenwriters: Eli Kent, James Ashcroft, Producers: Mike Minogue, Catherine Fitzgerald, Desray Armstrong) — A family’s outing descends into terror when teacher Alan Hoaganraad, his wife Jill and stepsons Maika and Jordon explore an isolated coastline. An unexpected meeting with a pair of drifters, the enigmatic psychopath Mandrake and his accomplice Tubs, thrusts the family into a nightmare when they find themselves captured. Cast: Daniel Gillies, Erik Thomson, Miriama McDowell, Matthias Luafutu. World Premiere

3. A Glitch in the Matrix

U.S.A. (Director: Rodney Ascher, Producer: Ross M. Dinerstein) — A multi-media exploration of simulation theory – an idea as old as Plato’s Republic and as current as Elon Musk’s Twitter feed – through the eyes of those who suspect our world isn’t real. Part sci-fi mind-scrambler, part horror story, this is a digital journey to the limits of radical doubt. World Premiere

4. Knocking*

Sweden (Director: Frida Kempff, Screenwriter: Emma Broström, Producer: Erik Andersson) — When Molly moves into her new apartment after a tragic accident, a strange noise from upstairs begins to unnerve her. As its intensity grows, she confronts her neighbors – but no one seems to hear what she is hearing. Cast: Cecilia Milocco. World Premiere

5. Mother Schmuckers

Belgium (Directors and Screenwriters: Lenny Guit, Harpo Guit, Producers: David Borgeaud, Erika Meda) — Issachar & Zabulon, two brothers in their twenties, are supremely stupid and never bored, as madness is part of their daily lives. When they lose their mother’s beloved dog, they have 24 hours to find it – or she will kick them out. Cast: Harpo Guit, Maxi Delmelle, Claire Bodson, Mathieu Amalric, Habib Ben Tanfous. World Premiere

6. Violation

Canada (Directors, Screenwriters and Producers: Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli) — A troubled woman on the edge of divorce returns home to her younger sister after years apart. But when her sister and brother-in-law betray her trust, she embarks on a vicious crusade of revenge. Cast: Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Anna Maguire, Jesse LaVercombe, Obi Abili, Jasmin Geljo, Cynthia Ashperger. International Premiere

Other 2021 Sundance Film Festival Categories with Movies of Interest

Here are the other films and their categories that had either a darker, paranormal, or thriller element to them. One (Cryptozoo, under the Next category) I bought a ticket for because come on. The second I saw the title I was interested, but I was sold the moment I read the logline.

I also wanted to see In the Earth, but all of its showtimes were sold out. Bummer.

Ghost Dogs (under Animation) also sounded intriguing but it’s pets. I can’t watch films, even animated ones, about animals. I just always end up bawling…even if there’s a happy ending.

Premieres

A showcase of world premieres of some of the most highly anticipated fiction and nonfiction films of the coming year.

How it Ends

U.S.A. (Directors, Screenwriters and Producers: Daryl Wein, Zoe Lister-Jones) — On the last day on Earth, one woman goes on a journey through LA to make it to her last party before the world ends, running into an eclectic cast of characters along the way. Cast: Zoe Lister-Jones, Cailee Spaeny, Olivia Wilde, Fred Armisen, Helen Hunt, Lamorne Morris. World Premiere, Narrative

In The Earth*

United Kingdom (Director and Screenwriter: Ben Wheatley, Producer: Andy Starke) — As a disastrous virus grips the planet, a scientist and a park scout venture deep into the forest for a routine equipment run. Through the night, their journey becomes a terrifying voyage through the heart of darkness as the forest comes to life around them. Cast: Joel Fry, Ellora Torchia, Hayley Squires, Reece Shearsmith. World Premiere, Narrative

Next 

Pure, bold works distinguished by an innovative, forward-thinking approach to storytelling populate this program.

The Blazing World

U.S.A. (Director: Carlson Young, Screenwriters: Carlson Young, Pierce Brown, Producers: Brinton Bryan, Elizabeth Avellán) — Decades after the accidental drowning of her twin sister, a self-destructive young woman returns to her family home, finding herself drawn to an alternate dimension where her sister may still be alive. Cast: Udo Kier, Carlson Young, Dermot Mulroney, Vinessa Shaw, John Karna, Soko. World Premiere

Cryptozoo*

U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Dash Shaw, Producers: Kyle Martin, Jane Samborski, Bill Way, Tyler Davidson) — As cryptozookeepers struggle to capture a Baku (a legendary dream-eating hybrid creature) they begin to wonder if they should display these rare beasts in the confines of a cryptozoo, or if these mythical creatures should remain hidden and unknown. Cast: Lake Bell, Michael Cera, Angeliki Papoulia, Zoe Kazan, Peter Stormare, Grace Zabriskie. World Premiere

Animation

Ghost Dogs

U.S.A. (Director: Joe Cappa, Screenwriters: Joe Cappa, J.W. Hallford) — A family’s new rescue pup is terrorized by deceased pets in this mind-bending horror.

Little Miss Fate

Switzerland (Director and Screenwriter: Joder von Rotz) — When the opportunity arises, Little Miss Fate slips into the role of the world leader. Unintentionally she creates a monster, which greedily wants to suck up all the love of the world. Overwhelmed by the rapid development, she loses control.

For More Info

The 2021 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 28 to February 3, 2021.

Single film tickets can be purchased for $15 each. To check out all of the films and their times, visit https://festival.sundance.org/.

Check-In

Which of these movies sound interesting to you?