Five Films I Can't Wait to See at the Fantasia International Film Festival 2025

We have just over one week to go until another edition of one of my favorite film festivals kicks off, Fantasia 2025! Every year, genre filmmakers are gathered to Montréal from all over the world to deliver a wide-range of exciting new films, and there are quite a few this time around to get fans excited. This year's fest features everything from new films by established directors such as Ari Aster with Eddington, to sophomore features from emerging talents like Yûta Shimotsu's (Best Wishes to All) New Group. Filmmakers like The Adams Family and Alice Maio Mackay return with Mother of Flies and The Serpent's Skin, respectively. Cassandra Naud reprises her villainous role from Kurtis David Harder's Influencer in the sequel, Influencers. Daughter of George A. Romero, Tina Romero, continues her father's legacy of the undead with her feature debut, Queens of the Dead. The buzzy hit Good Boy, a ghost story from the point of view of a dog, also provides a drool-worthy treat. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for what should be another great lineup. 

Below are just five of the films I'm most excited for in this year's fest. Click here to see the full schedule/get tickets, and don't miss another excellent year of Fantasia, running from July 17th-August 3rd, 2025!

Eddington

Directed by: Ari Aster

In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico. 

Mother of Flies

Directed by: The Adams Family

When a young woman faces a deadly diagnosis, she seeks dark magic from a witch in the woods... but every cure has costs.

New Group

Directed by: Yuta Shimotsu

High school student Ai (Anna Yamada) sees her world collapse when a strange cult-like mentality gradually turns people around her into mindless followers who can transform simple gymnastics routines into a nightmarish dance of death.

Queens of the Dead

Directed by: Tina Romero
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A zombie apocalypse breaks out in Brooklyn on the night of a giant warehouse party. Now, an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies must use their unique skills to fight against the undead.

The Serpent's Skin

Directed by: Alice Maio Mackay

A supernatural romance that follows Anna, a young woman who leaves her transphobic small-town, and develops a romance with a tattoo artist who she shares a supernatural connection. After accidentally unleashing a demon, they must work together to defeat the evil that’s killing their friends. 

By Matt Konopka