Fall film festivals embrace suspense and horror
Suspense and horror films often find themselves sidelined at fall film festivals, typically relegated to midnight slots and overlooked during award season. However, this year, three entries at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) — Conclave, The Substance, and Heretic — are challenging this norm.
Conclave: A papal thriller with depth
Director Edward Berger, known for his Oscar-winning war drama “All Quiet on the Western Front,” brings us Conclave, a papal conspiracy thriller. Berger aimed to create a film that appeals to a broad audience with its thriller elements while also satisfying a more discerning festival viewership. Inspired by ’70s paranoid thrillers like “Klute” and “All the President’s Men,” Conclave is a blend of thriller and character study, focusing on Cardinal Lawrence, played by Ralph Fiennes, and his crisis of faith.
“I naturally gravitate to films that are entertaining but have a very strong protagonist,” Berger explains. “That makes it commercial, because you understand every twist and turn in their psyche, but it also makes it appealing to those drawn to more character-driven films.”
For more details, check out the Conclave trailer.
Heretic: A religious debate with high stakes
Heretic delves deep into the psyche of its lead character, Mr. Reed, portrayed by Hugh Grant. The film follows two Mormon missionaries who are invited into Reed’s home for a high-stakes religious debate. Writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, known for “A Quiet Place,” developed the project after extensive discussions with mixed-faith friends and family, as well as Beck’s personal history with relatives who died in the 1978 Jonestown massacre.
“We had this idea — can we make a movie that is ostensibly a conversation about religion, that talks about these big themes, [including how] we’re terrified of what happens when you die?” Beck shares.
The film’s tone is intentionally ambiguous, blending dark comedy, drama, and horror. Grant’s performance activates various aspects of his persona, making the film a thought-provoking experience.
Explore more by watching the Heretic trailer.
The Substance: A satirical body horror
Generating significant buzz at TIFF is The Substance, starring Demi Moore as an older celebrity who tries a black market anti-aging regime with catastrophic consequences. The film’s body horror and satire on society’s obsession with youth earned writer-director Coralie Fargeat a best screenplay award at Cannes.
“It’s always hard to analyze the dynamics of your times, [but] the kind of genre films that blossom nowadays are the creation of filmmakers who have a lot to say through that genre,” Fargeat notes.
The Substance tackles social and political topics in an entertaining way, much like early genre films such as “Night of the Living Dead,” which commented on race relations.
Dive deeper into the film by viewing the The Substance trailer.
The evolving landscape of genre films
Since “The Silence of the Lambs” became the first horror film to win a Best Picture Oscar in 1991, genre films have increasingly been recognized for their critical eye on society. Films like “Get Out” and “Parasite” have addressed issues of racism and economic inequality, respectively, and have been honored both at the box office and in award circles. Directors like Ari Aster and Robert Eggers have also brought genre films into festivals and arthouses, challenging the snobbery that once plagued the genre.
“Many people told me, ‘I don’t watch horror, but I was so into [The Substance] and really enjoyed the ride,” Fargeat says. “That’s the best gift, because I would love the themes of the movie to be discussed and infused into the widest culture possible.”
The landscape of genre films is evolving, and this year’s TIFF entries are a testament to the growing acceptance and appreciation of suspense and horror in the film industry. As these films continue to push boundaries and explore complex themes, they pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse cinematic experience.
For more insights and trailers, visit the respective links provided and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of these groundbreaking films.