Australia gets short-changed when it comes to cool shit that the rest of the world may get. As horror fans, we even miss out on certain movies from being released in our cinemas. However, where there’s a will there’s a way, and that’s where Monster Fest comes in.
Founded in 2011 by Monster Pictures, Monster Fest showcases features and shorts from Australia, and the rest of the world. The painstakingly curated festival programme plays host to today’s up-and-coming genre filmmakers as well as paying tribute to the classics that you grew up with. Festival director Grant Hardie said it best “We try to give a platform to Australian films. Films that might not necessarily get a theatrical release. So we like to be able to give that ability to a bunch of Australian features.” Australia’s premier celebration of cult, horror, and fantastical cinema brings us to the esteemed Cinema Nova, located in Carlton. A gorgeous cinema that feels like it welcomes you with a warm embrace as soon as you ascend the escalator. Or stairs if that’s more to your liking. If you enjoy a drink (or 10), there’s a bar perfect for chats among movie lovers. I may have a few of the signature Monster Fest cocktails, the Krankenstein… Cinema Nova is an icon in itself and one quick spin to take in your surroundings and you’re left breathless, completely in awe. It’s a perfect fit because when you stop to think about it, Monster Fest is more than a film festival; it's about engagement and a shared experience, uniting its audience as a community.
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There's an overall wholesome feel to the festivities. Everyone is there for the same reason. For the love of cinema. For their love of genre film. You are almost bonded by the experience, especially when you see the same people time and time again and that they're doing long stints at Cinema Nova alongside you. It's a shared experience. At one point, during a movie, someone was coughing in front of me. All of a sudden, someone next to me leaned forward and offered them a pack of throat lozenges. Things like that are generally unheard of. In this day and age, you wouldn't have someone looking out for other people but it didn't even feel out of place at Monster Fest. I think that's what it's all about. People are there for the same reason, so there's no form of gatekeeping. This is people enjoying movies together. This isn’t news to the festival director, with Hardie stating:
“Monster Fest is definitely a real community. We've got people who've been coming every year since we started and are also now friends and hang out the whole time at Monster Fest.”
And it’s true. Scraping any spare time between the stacked bill of films, I wanted to get an idea of what brings attendees each year. Enter: Wayne - tatted up, stretched ears, rocking a tee that sparks some kind of nostalgic pang in the gut. I had to ask for their thoughts on Monster Fest. “It's like a horror Christmas! You wake up one day and there are 20-30 new movie announcements, with posters, and trailers. But it feels like Christmas as you start watching/unwrapping all of the trailers, writing down your must-see list, looking for all the indies you can.” The importance of film festivals like Monster Fest isn’t lost on Wayne at all, “It’s important in keeping cinema important, and making sure Australia still gets these great films. The early screenings give these films a chance to be seen early, and pump up the interest which can lead to longer cinema runs, if they were to get one at all. Pure audience reaction in a cinema can’t be replaced.” Wayne wasn’t wrong. Sage words were flowing as Wayne waxed poetic about how there’s nothing better than a cinema full of fellow film lovers watching something together for the first time. “Organic and untainted reactions are so special. Every laugh, cringe, gasp, and flinch. It's all happening for the first time and it’s all happening together.”
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I wouldn’t really be covering all of the bases if I didn’t stop by and chat with one of the awesome volunteers who dedicated their time to help the film festival run smoothly. I caught up with David who proudly stated that it was their third year volunteering. Curiosity gets the better of me and I need to know what keeps bringing David back. They proudly answered with a cheeky smirk, “I mean, it's a great festival. It's always had a great programme of horror and genre films, so that really draws me to it. I've always wanted to go. Well, prior to starting to go. Then, one year I just answered the call out for volunteers. Plus, I used to work in a cinema so it kind of takes me back to that a little bit. But a little bit more fun.”
LET’S GET TO THE FILMS (I SAW)
COYOTES
Director: Colin Minihan
Starring: Justin Long, Kate Bosworth, Norbert Leo Butz and Brittany Allen.
You know with an opening night movie that you're not allowed to miss. Opening night is an introduction into what attendees can expect for the rest of the festival. Failure is not an option. But you needn't be concerned when it comes to Monster Fest. It's a known fact: the programmers; the likes of Grant Hardie and Jarret Gahan, don't miss. Coyotes kicked off the genre film festival with a hilariously dark "home invasion" film in a way you wouldn't expect. I believe I'd be saying too much if I spoke about the plot. Let's just say that I won't be relocating to the Hollywood Hills anytime soon. But those houses are so much more impressive than any of my best house builds in The Sims. I love Justin Long. I believe that Long finally acknowledged that they tend to portray characters that audiences love to hate and leaned fully into it. There's this sense of unhinged misery and helplessness that Long brings to their characters. It's almost endearing. The film begins to heap on the sentimentality as the story progresses and tries to inject some heartfelt moments but ultimately these fall short. One such missed mark is when Justin Long's character takes the time to look through photo albums while someone is at risk of bleeding out. Read the room, my guy. When all is said and done, Coyotes is a uniquely fun viewing, best experienced with a group of friends or a cinema filled with horror fanatics.
BONE LAKE
Director: Mercedes Bryce Morgan
Starring: Maddie Hasson, Marco Pigossi, Alex Roe, Andra Nechita and Clayton Spencer.
There is no simple way of putting it so I’m just going to spit it out and say it. Bone Lake is a very horny movie. This lustful thriller managed to deliver ample bloodshed and gore whilst increasing the levels of paranoia as the film ticked along. Speaking of paranoia and looming threats, crossbows have now been added to my list of fears after the opening scene. Trust me, it is a scene that you can feel. Medieval weaponry aside, Bone Lake includes some creative kills that had me nodding along in an approving manner. The gore was taken to a whole other level, you bloodhounds will be satisfied. The film contained numerous tongue-in-cheek moments, allowing the cast the opportunity to make the audience laugh during brutal moments. Bone Lake is definitely a film that I would recommend people watching. Maybe not with your parents or the elderly, though.
DIABOLIC
Director: Daniel J. Phillips
Starring: John Kim, Elizabeth Cullen, Luca Asta Sardelis and Mia Challis.
For those of you needing to scratch that itch until the next Robert Eggers film releases, Daniel J. Phillips has you covered with Diabolic. A bleak possession film with some serious folk horror vibes. Do cults creep you out? Then Diabolic may be right up your alley! It’s reminiscent of The Witch and takes pages out of various demonic possession movies. This film only adds to my fear of religions and the mindset of some religious groups. The gore and special effects were truly impressive and had me paying full attention adoringly during the exceptionally gruesome scenes. Diabolic was definitely up there as one of my favourite films during Monster Fest and I will be looking to add it to my physical media collection as soon as possible. I hadn’t paid much attention to John Kim or Elizabeth Cullen prior to this film, but they both demonstrated some acting chops. It would be awesome to see them in horror projects in the future.
ROTTEN
Director: Phoenix Raei
Starring: Nick Farnell, Kate Lister, Anthony J. Sharpe, Don Bridges, Kevin Harrington and Erin Kearns.
Do you know how special it feels to be able to attend a film’s world premiere? The environment and the general vibe of the audience was electric and you could just feel that everyone was utterly captivated. And rightfully so! Rotten was absolutely hilarious. Probably one of the most tongue-in-cheek movies I've seen in a long time with some gruesome graphics paired with some hilarious lines. The on-screen antics between Kevin Harrington and Don Bridges had the cinema howling with laughter. There was a lady seated in front of me who repeatedly covered their eyes during the bloody scenes. I couldn’t help but smirk. But beneath the laughter, the story was pretty fucking bleak.
The Monster Fest screening featured a Q&A with the cast and crew after the feature and after learning that Rotten was built from the ground up by a skeleton crew with a huge 'Do It Yourself' ethos which just made me enjoy the movie so much more. I swear that I could listen to Phoenix Raei talk about their passion for filmmaking forever. Raei’s anecdotes shared between the cast were surprisingly profound and informative all while being laced with comedy. I wanted to wrap up this review by commending Erin Kearns, who portrayed Jerry. Kearns delivered an incredible performance that undoubtedly stole the limelight. Erin attended the Monster Fest screening and it was amazing to be a part of the audience cheering the actress on as they made their way to the stage.
SHELL
Director: Max Minghella
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson, Kaia Gerber, Este Haim, Amy Landecker and Lionel Boyce.
Shell tells the age-old cautionary tale of “fuck around and find out”, or for you cultured folks; “be careful what you wish for.” If you’re one of those people who look for comparisons with their movies, then let me humour you. Shell is Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance meets Kevin Smith’s Tusk. Yep, I said it. A once-beloved actress desperate to reclaim her career is drawn into the glamorous world of a celebrity wellness mogul, only to uncover a monstrous truth beneath its flawless surface. Shell injects a story of the consequences of trying to maintain or reach such high beauty standards that we see in this day and age. The social commentary aspects of Shell didn’t leave you feeling slapped across the face, despite the fact that Max Minghella and Elisabeth Moss had previously worked together in the television series, The Handmaid’s Tale. The two projects couldn’t be more different. Believe it or not, but Shell can actually be included in the creature feature genre, and that was enough to hook me. But let’s be real, I’ll watch anything starring Lionel Boyce.
DON’T LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE
Director: Emilio Portes
Starring: Ana Serradilla, Juan Pablo Velasco and Ricardo Galina.
Don't Leave the Kids Alone was easily one of my favourite screenings at Monster Fest and was an absolute standout. Emilio Portes’ latest offering felt like something reminiscent of the films of Demián Rugna. I couldn’t shake the When Evil Lurks and Terrified similarities that I got from Don’t Leave the Kids Alone. The story is absolutely haunting and filled with stark bleakness. Without knowing, this was everything I needed the film to be. The audience was dead silent for the duration of this dark film, with the exception of the gasps of shock that ebbed and flowed as the movie progressed. My levels of anxiety reached new heights while frozen to the edge of my seat. I barely touched my popcorn. Mix the paranormal with paranoia and you receive this story. Do not sleep on this one, it is something special. Believe me. A must have for the physical media collection, I promise you. On second thought, maybe this is better likened to Home Alone meets Poltergeist.
RESIDENCE
Director: Matt Mirams
Starring: Matt Mirams, Kym Valentine, Don Bridges and Ian Smith.
One thing that I really loved about Matt Miram’s Residence is the flock of Aussie icons that have been littered throughout this film. Close your eyes and imagine the beloved Australian soap opera Neighbours but set during a post-apocalyptic period. Nothing is to be taken too seriously during this film. Residence worked to set itself apart from the rest of the festival’s programmed schedule… and succeeded. There's an almost slapstick quality to it. What you need to know is that for all the laughs and over-the-top action sequences, Residence puts a whole lot of heart on display for the enjoyment of the audience. Make no mistake, this is a fun watch.
I had the opportunity to chat with writer/director Matt Mirams about Residence and what it means to create a film that is screened at Monster Fest.
Mirams’ filmmaking journey began in 1991, making short films throughout the 90s. Residence was first conjured up as a short film in 2012. Fast forward to 2020 and Mirams thought “Yeah, I'm going to turn this into a feature.” Mirams wanted to produce something that we haven’t seen in Australian cinema for a while — a big kick-arse film with a big body count and very dry humour. “We couldn't possibly fund this ourselves,” was a realisation that the filmmaker had so he started applying for funding many, many times only to be knocked back many, many times. So, Matt Mirams did what you do when you're a crazy creative. “Well, fuck it, I'm going to make this even if it kills me.” Mirams knew that once he started making Residence, there would be no turning back. Mirams worked seven days a week and maxed out the credit cards to get Residence made.
“I had breakdowns. I was putting everything into it. I went in and out of relationships because they just couldn't understand why I would do this. It's like, I made a commitment to my cast and crew to get this done. So much went into it. It was nuts.”
But Mirams got to stand back and absorb the fact that he and his cast and crew made a film, accomplishing his longtime dream. “It wasn't just me doing it. It was the journey that I did with these people that I absolutely adore.” What did they set out to do? To make something worthwhile, something that is going to put a smile on people's faces and brighten up their day. Mirams ponders on the fact that few, if not none, of the films that are screening at Monster Fest have got a lot of money, “so it just sort of makes you be inventive, you know. If you've got a good team behind you, you've got people that care, you're going to create something special.”
HAUNTED & DEVOTED
Director: Addison Heath and Jasmine Jakupi
Starring: Saya Minami, Whitney Duff and Glenn Maynard.
Haunted & Devoted had very strong David Lynch vibes. Seeing Melbourne depicted in such a way that my hometown felt like a main character within the film was an unexpected emotional moment and I found myself inexplicably quite moved. Being able to balance this vampire film must have been an arduous task to keep it grounded in the realism of monotonous life all while oozing with the gothic romance that us vampire fans not-so-secretly yearn for. There was something really simplistic about Haunted & Devoted, but I think that was something that I adored about it. The cast were phenomenal and although this may be a shorter review, I can't speak highly enough about this film.
TEST SCREENING
Director: Clark Baker
Starring: Chloë Kerwin, Drew Scheid, Rain Spencer and Johnny Berchtold.
Test Screening was just Stranger Things meets They Live. There, I said it. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Both are cool as fuck. The issue lies deeper. Test Screening lacks any real originality to it and plays like a Christopher Pike novel targeted for the Young Adult audience. There’s not much I can say about this film without spoiling the plot but I believe that you’ve almost certainly watched something with a similar plot. But hey, with the abundance of movies focused on the nostalgia of the 80’s, maybe I’m just jaded. The silver lining is that the production value of Test Screening feels high and for that we get a beautifully shot film, mixed and mastered fantastically, and a truly talented young cast.
LAKE MUNGO REVISITED
Director: Michael Kratochvil
Starring: Talia Zucker, David Pledger, Rosie Traynor, Martin Sharpe, Neil Marshall, David Dastmalchian and Mike Flanagan.
Lake Mungo tells the story of a 16-year-old Alice Palmer, who drowns at a local dam, and the series of strange, inexplicable events her family experiences, after her death. We watch as the Palmers seek the help of a psychic and parapsychologist, who assist in uncovering Alice’s secret past. This Australian film became a cult classic before reaching audiences globally. So, it makes perfect sense that such a dedicated fan of the film would put together a documentary surrounding the film in hopes of providing viewers and fans alike a better insight into Lake Mungo. Aptly titled Lake Mungo Revisited, the documentary features new interviews with the cast and crew, along with unearthed behind-the-scenes footage, to explore the film’s enduring legacy. However, the true value of the documentary lies with those who have watched the film and adore it.
Director Michael Kratochvil let me pick his brain about Lake Mungo Revisited and I’m nice enough to share with you, the reader! Lake Mungo is, by all accounts, a cult classic, so I needed to know if there was a particular moment that made Kratochvil realise the want to film a documentary about the movie.
“Three moments in particular kept coming back to me during the making of the documentary. The burial of Alice's phone in Lake Mungo felt significant to me. The question of 'why did Alice bury her phone in Lake Mungo?' opened up so many fascinating interpretations. It speaks to the past, the present and the future. And the moment where Ray the psychic is telling his terminally ill client Annie that she is going to die, while holding her hand as she cries, while being filmed. There was something both confronting and beautiful about that moment.”
Kratochvil admitted that he was really interested to hear what the cast had to say about their own experiences with death and mortality as the cast put so much of themselves into this film, “which I think is a part of why their performances are so impactful and real”, the director confessed. “There are few films that capture the cycle of life, like Lake Mungo.”
Lake Mungo Revisited features interviews with the likes of Mike Flanagan, David Dastmalchian, and Neil Marshall - so it’s only natural to want to know how that came about, right? Kratochvil reveals that over the years, people like the previously mentioned trio were going out of their way to introduce new audiences to Lake Mungo. “We reached out to them and thankfully they instantly agreed. The film clearly means a lot to them, and it was wonderful to hear how much they have thought about the film and how it has grown with them over the years.”
During the Q&A session at the Monster Fest screening of the documentary, the cast and crew all stated that they respect film director Joel Anderson's decision to stay “radio silent” when it comes to Lake Mungo. But did Michael Kratochvil feel that Joel's evasiveness added to or subtracted from the marketing of the film and its cult status? “It has added some mystique that seems to go hand in hand with the film, even if that may or may not have been intentional. I think above all, most fans of the film, myself included, can't wait to see what Joel is going to do next.”
Lake Mungo Revisited had its world premiere at Monster Fest and Kratochvil couldn’t seem more stoked.
“I couldn't think of a better festival to premiere this film, with many of the original cast and crew in attendance. I got to meet some hardcore Mungo fans. To get their approval of the film meant a lot to me. I made this film for the hardcore fans first and foremost, of which I count myself as one.”
PSYCHO THERAPY: THE SHALLOW TALE OF A WRITER WHO DECIDED TO WRITE ABOUT A SERIAL KILLER
Director: Tolga Karaçelik
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Britt Lower and John Magaro.
Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer, or as I like to call it; Psycho Therapy and the World’s Most Ridiculously Long Movie Title.
Okay, I’ll admit that this film was way better than what I imagined. I went in thinking that maybe Steve Buscemi signed on for this role because he owed someone a favour, or needed to pay off some serious debts. Y’know, loansharks breaking knees and shit. But going in, I didn't really know what to expect. I hadn't heard a whole lot of hype for this movie and so Buscemi was the sole drawcard for me. Little did I know that I would walk out of the cinema with a newfound love and admiration for Britt Lower and John Magaro. If you’re a fan of dark comedy and serial killers then Psycho Therapy is definitely for you. Everything about this film just felt right and within the theatre there was a real sense of belonging sharing the laughter together during this downright witty production. This wasn’t really a horror film but it was incredible nonetheless.
DEATHSTALKER
Director: Steven Kostanski
Starring: Daniel Bernhardt, Christina Orjalo, Patton Oswalt, Conor Sweeney and Matthew Ninaber.
Steven Kostanski’s Deathstalker, a remake of James Sbardellati’s 1983 film of the same name, vastly surpassed my expectations. And I say that as a fan of Kostanski’s work. Simply put, I loved this film so much. It was unquestionably a highlight of the festival. Kostanski continues to illustrate just why their name belongs up within the highest pantheon of designers working on practical effects and creature designs. The creatures and effects in Deathstalker? Chef’s kiss. My jaw was left on the cinema floor; amongst the dropped popcorn, spilled drinks and discarded finger nails. The whole audience was laughing the entirety of the film. Scoffs, guffaws, chuckles, and giggles. Anyone who knew of Sbardellati’s OG film, or of Kostanski’s previous work, had an idea of what they were getting themselves into with Deathstalker. The entire audience was enthralled and enjoyed the film for what it was. A fucking great time with enough blood and guts to make Art the Clown blush.
The cast; from Daniel Bernhardt and Christina Orjalo, to Patton Oswalt and Conor Sweeney - were all phenomenal and destined to fill their respective roles. Every performance was on point and you could just tell that every cast member was completely honed in for each of the scenes. The setting was stunning and I adored the landscape and environment in which the film was set. There were no corners cut during the making of this film. It was a feast for the eyes. I can’t imagine enjoying this film as much outside of Monster Fest, as it was just such an experience to be shared with so many like-minded genre film fans. An experience that I won't forget anytime soon.
DEATHGASM II: GOREMAGEDDON
Director: Jason Lei Howden
Starring: Milo Cawthorne, Kimberley Crossman, James Joshua Blake, Sam Berkley and Kieran Charnock.
Firstly... Ahem! *taps mic* Is this thing on? *dodges thrown beer can* Uh, firstly, Deathgasm II has the best opening sequence that I've ever seen. The face-melting commenced from the introductory few seconds of the film. So it made perfect sense to see Matt Heafy's (of Trivium fame) name pop up as composer. The riffs had me reaching for my patch-laden battle jacket and I was a mere 1:42 minutes into the opening credits. What would a metal movie filmed in New Zealand be without some Alien Weaponry thrown into the mix?
Well, obviously Jason Lei Howden thought the same and made sure the film features a track from the young band from Waipu. A movie centred around heavy metal music that includes a recorder being played (poorly) in a graveyard? Say less fam, I'm in! This is, without a doubt, a love letter to the likes of Peter Jackson's (best movie) Braindead. The influences are heavily smeared upon its sleeve. Deathgasm II crams in all of the blood and gore that a horror fan could possibly want. It's probably not the best movie to watch with your religious grandparents or anyone squeamish (or is it?). The only thing close to matching the amount of blood is the ridiculously large number of hilarious childish one-liners that were real knee-slappers. Extra points for including Sanguisugabogg on the soundtrack.
It wouldn’t be possible to end this article without thanking the likes of Grant, Jarret, Kim, and the volunteers who provide horror fans with a week-long genre film festival packed to the brim with stellar features and shorts. Everyone involved made sure that myself and other attendees felt welcome and at home during the festival. Monster Fest is something truly extraordinary and something best experienced first hand. Keep your eye out for updates for Monster Fest 2026!
I’ll end this feature with something that Matt Mirams said, that rang true, and I think we can all agree with:
“I hope Monster Fest never dies, I hope it keeps going on and on. I hope more genre films come out of it. We need more genre films.”
Amen.
Review by Mike @ Beyond Horror @beyondhorror
