Panic Fest 2025 Round-up Part 1
We’ve already looked at a whopping 16 films recently screened as part of the Panic Fest 2025. You can click the following links to read up on any of those:
If you can believe it, there are still eight more movies in need of some attention. These films don’t all quite fit the horror genre…but are worth sparing a note or two, nonetheless. From a mind-bending trip to limbo to an elder revenge drama…Panic Fest 2025 was so loaded with films to cover…we’re going to need two round-up columns to get to it all.
The Book of the Witch
Directed by Joshua Sowden
Written by Joshua Sowden
Starring Krishna Smitha, Danny Parker-Lopes and Ali Williams
Plot Summary – Driven by her fear of death, Victoria hunts a mythical Witch, determined to steal her book that grants eternal life-but at a sinister price.
Unlike the rest of the movies covered in this two-part round-up…The Book of the Witch is a horror movie through and through. It ended up here because, frankly, I didn’t have a lot to say about it. It centers around a pair of security guards in an abandoned building. Victoria (Krishna Smitha) is trying to get the book of the witch following the death of her mother. The witch, in this case, is presented by some pretty effective horror imagery. The movie presents a nice antagonist to face off with its two likable leads. There’s nothing wrong with The Book of the Witch…there just isn’t that much memorable about it either. You could certainly do worse.
Cover
Directed by Cameron Francis
Written by Cameron Francis
Starring Cameron Francis and Katherine Lozon
Plot Summary –
When a traveling stamp dealer gives a ride to a woman on the run from her abusive boyfriend, he soon discovers that their dark pasts are inextricably linked, and that she isn’t just after a ride – she’s after revenge.
Cover is a breezy watch with some interesting twists and turns. It features likable leads with secret backstories that connect them in more ways than giving someone a lift. Key moments provide new context to everyone’s motivations and keep the story rolling along in a way that feels fresh. Cover stops at a certain point to double back and recontextualize everything we’ve seen to that point. It’s a clever way to dole out its story. Though the movie can’t always land the big moments…it has more than enough fine smaller moments to make it worth a watch.
The G
Directed by Karl R. Hearne
Written by Karl R. Hearne
Starring Dale Dickey and Romane Denis
Plot Summary – After a corrupt legal guardian puts her in a care home in order to take her property, a mysterious older woman seeks vengeance with the help of her granddaughter, who calls her ‘The G’.
The G is one of the best watches from this year’s festival thanks to standout performances from Dale Dickey and Romane Denis. You might expect from the summary that The G is some kind of geriatric John Wick….but it’s much more rooted in reality than that. This is a dark revenge tale where success isn’t at all guaranteed…and every deck is stacked against it. A frighteningly realistic showcase for how easy it is to take advantage of the elderly gives way to a slow burn wide-ranging conspiracy. And the old woman who isn’t going to take it anymore. Recommended for all.
Psyche
Directed by Stephon Stewart
Screenplay by Stephon Stewart
Starring Sarah Ritter
Plot Summary – Trapped in limbo during a near-death experience, Mara and a computer form an alliance to figure out the meaning of life. Together, they navigate through a dystopian world deciphering cryptic clues laid out before them. Mara embarks on a profound quest of self-discovery and redemption. Confronting her deepest fears by facing the trauma in her life, her journey becomes a poignant exploration of human vulnerability. “Psyche” explores the philosophical interplay between mental health and artificial intelligence.
If the question I was asked in limbo to save my soul was “what happened in the movie Psyche?”…I’d surely be lost forever. There were moments where I thought I had a good idea of what was happening…but then I’d read that plot summary again and be lost all over. It certainly is about mental health, and our old friend familial trauma, but the artificial intelligence bit just flew right over my head. What I was left with was enough to make Psyche and interesting watch. Gorgeous vistas and a committed one-woman show from lead actress Sarah Ritter kept me engaged even through my confusion. You’re likely to get more out of it than I did. If you feel like having a bit of a mind-bending trip through limbo…Psyche has you covered.
Check back tomorrow for Part 2 of our Panic Fest 2025 Round-up. We’ll take a quick look at four more movies and wrap up our Panic Fest coverage for this year.
