The final days of Fantastic Fest 2025 have arrived, and with them, a wave of new reviews and the highly-anticipated winners list. The festival’s 20th anniversary has proven to be a celebration of both established talent and a new generation of genre filmmakers, with some clear standouts and a few unexpected surprises.
Awards and Accolades
The festival’s winners list has been released, celebrating a diverse range of films. In the main competition, the Cannes psychodrama The Plague took home Best Picture. On the horror side, the Arabic-language supernatural film The Vile was named best picture in its category, with the Argentinian film Crazy Old Lady winning for Best Director. The festival also recognized the Japanese film The Curse for Best Kill, a special mention that is a hallmark of the festival’s unique appreciation for the genre. In the Next Wave category, the A24-acquired film CAMP was named best picture.
Reviews and Reactions
While the awards are in, the audience buzz and critical reviews continue to roll in. Here’s a look at some of the films getting the most attention:
• The Strangers: Chapter 2: This highly anticipated sequel has been a mixed bag for critics. While some have praised its well-staged chase sequences and solid stunt work, others have called it a disappointing follow-up that “trades suspense for endless chases, delivering a dull sequel that weakens its killers’ mystique.” The film, which was screened at Fantastic Fest, is set to be released on September 26th.
• Dolly: This demented film is getting buzz for being a terrifying homage to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The film, from director Rod Blackhurst, features a Leatherface-esque monster and a twisted family, with the creature “Dolly” being described as “nightmare fuel.” The film has been noted for its disturbing and unsettling nature.
• Primate: Directed by Johannes Roberts, this film has been called a “slick, animalistic horror.” The film, which features a rabid chimp, has been praised for its use of practical effects and for being a love letter to classic animal-turned-monster horror pictures. The audience at the premiere was reportedly “laughing and screaming and eating every moment of the experience up.”
Stay spooky, horror fans, and keep your eyes peeled for more terror!
