5 Best Movies Of Fantasia 2023
Photo from Fantasia International Film Festival
From Jeff Nelson
Set in Montreal, Quebéc, Fantasia International Film Festival 2023 showcased a wide array of storytelling from around the world. The event puts a special highlight on genre filmmaking that extends to horror, sci-fi, thrillers, and beyond. Five titles stood above the rest as the strongest movies of this year’s program.
Photo from Fantasia International Film Festival
5. Mami Wata
Mami Wata follows a small village whose peace is disrupted by external forces. Two sisters must find a way to save their home and its residents, who aren’t all so convinced of the existence and powers of the titular mermaid goddess.
C.J. “Fiery” Obasi’s fantastical thriller is ethereal in its approach to familial drama and village-wide tensions. Its slow-moving narrative creeps up on you, but it’s the gorgeous visuals and fierce performances that truly stand out.
Photo from Fantasia International Film Festival
4. Restore Point
Restore Point takes place in a futuristic Europe, where technology can legally bring people back to life who died of unnatural causes via a regularly restored backup. A detective investigates a mysterious case of murders that digs much deep than she expects.
Robert Hloz’s sci-fi thriller boasts a remarkably original concept packed with biting sociological commentary. The world-building is endlessly fascinating, showcasing Hloz’s talent in an impressive feature film debut.
Photo from Fantasia International Film Festival
3. Femme
Femme is a dramatic revenge film about a queer drag queen whose entire world is shaken after becoming the target of a homophobic attack. He encounters one of his attackers in a gay sauna, deciding to get close and exact his vengeance.
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett delivers a show-stopping lead performance, along with an outstanding showing from George MacKay as a closeted gay man. Femme is triggering, morally ambiguous, and dangerously tense.
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2. Red Rooms
Red Rooms explores the world of true crime through the lens of an aficionado with an unhealthy obsession over a high-profile serial killer case dealing with the death of three teenage girls. She’s willing to go to disturbing lengths to track down the final missing piece of the puzzle: the video of the final victim’s death.
Pascal Plante seamlessly moves between chilling courthouse thriller and a twisted character study elevated by Juliette Gariépy’s lead performance that will make your blood run cold. It’s visually distinct and narratively nightmarish and compelling.
Photo from Fantasia International Film Festival
1. The First Slam Dunk
A 17-year-old boy joins his high school basketball team in facing an intimidating rival team, but he has more on his mind than the game itself. He has the dream of accomplishing his late elder brother’s dream of achieving stardom on the court.
The First Slam Dunk is a sensational achievement, dribbling between drama that resonates and remarkably taut basketball sequences. Takehiko Inoue’s animated sports drama is an absolute swish, nothing but net. An excellent film, regardless of your investment in the sport itself.
