[Fantasia ’25] Check out these films at the Fantasia Film Festival

Summer brings the biggest an arguably best genre film festival of the year. This year’s edition of the Fantasia Film Festival has all kinds of great offerings. From horror to science-fiction to anime, there is a lot to choose from. There are some absolute classics screening this year, but this list is going to cover the most eye catching new movies to come to Fantasia.

Anything that Moves (World Premiere)

All Jacked Up and Full of Worms was a frenetically paced mindfuck that was one of 2022’s most memorably genre films. Writer-director Alex Phillips is back with a darkly comic erotic thriller involving a bike courier, a serial killer, and a small town conspiracy. Erotic thrillers do not get the same love they did during their heyday. It will be great to see what Phillips does with a story that promises to be equal parts sexy and scary. 

Good Boy (Canadian Premiere)

Stories that center around a dog can be a tough sell. Not because dog movies suck, but because the loveable animal usually ends up dying. This may or may not be the case with Indy in Good Boy, but the premise is too interesting to ignore. After the death of his grandfather, Todd (Shane Jensen) and Indy move to his remote home. Indy immediately senses something is wrong in this supernatural thriller that is a heartfelt story filled with supernatural terror.

Hellcat (World Premiere)

Movies that start with the protagonist waking up and unsure about what is going on is a great way to draw audiences in. This Fantasia world premiere is not another horror movie about solving twisted riddles and escaping deadly traps, however. When Lena (Dakota Gorman) comes to, she is told by a mysterious voice that she has been infected and is being taken for treatment. What follows is a tense story that takes unexpected twists.

It Ends (International Premiere)

It Ends is an endless road horror movie that is about the scariest thing of all: beginning your adult life. Four college friends get together for one last night out before moving on with their lives. One wrong turn later, they find themselves in an unending road that has no end. The analogy may sound heavy handed, but the film is already being talked about as one of the year’s major genre breakouts and the ultimate Gen Z horror movie.

Terrestrial (World Premiere)

Four friends reunite at a large mansion in the Hollywood Hills. Allen’s (Jermaine Fowler) first book is about to be released and it is time to celebrate. Before long Allen’s erratic behavior and discrepancies in his story have the group wondering what is really going on. Director Steve Pink’s credits include Hot Tub Time Machine and High Fidelity, so expect a while sci-fi story that is grounded in reality.

The School Duel (Canadian Premiere)

Films about school shootings are difficult. Writer/director Todd Wisemen does just that in his feature debut that does more than just exploit tragedy. The School Duel is also a look at gun culture and growing up in a society that celebrates it. Set in the independent state of Florida, Sam Miller (Kue Lawrence) is a 13 year old student that participates in the titular government sponsored game that is supposed to counter school shootings. Instead it is a perverse mix of The Purge and Battle Royale.

Together (Canadian premiere)

Body horror is not for everyone. Even when it is a touching tale of a couple that has been in a long term relationship. The plot follows a couple that has to relocate to an isolated forest. A strange force also lives here. As the pair try to deal with the issues that are tearing them apart, they are brought together in ways they had never imagined. 

Touch Me (Canadian Premiere)

The downside to film festivals is that some excellent movies inevitably get overlooked. Touch Me is a great example as its Sundance world premiere did not garner the attention this film deserves. The story is about two friends who have just been smacked in the face by adult life. On the plus side, they know an alien who can remove all anxieties with just a touch. On the other hand, he also might be trying to take over the world. Sexy, gross, and funny, this is a must watch.

The Fantasia Film Festival takes place from July 16, 2025 through August 3, 2025