Fathom Fright Fest 2025

Filmgoers’ interest in horror has spiked in recent years, and according to a study conducted by Reuters news agency, scary movies account for 17% of ticket purchases in the United States this year, up from 11% in 2024. Films such as Sinners, Weapons, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and 28 Years Later are bringing horror fans back to theatres. This return to the roots of horror is more than just a trend; it’s a celebration of the genre’s legacy. The influence of these films weaves into the DNA of modern cinema, inspiring directors who grew up watching them on late-night broadcasts or well-worn VHS tapes. Our Fright Fest series brings these classics back to the big screen, allowing viewers the opportunity to appreciate their craftsmanship and trace the evolution of the horror genre.

With Fathom Fright Fest 2025 in full swing, we are diving into the remaining titles found in this year’s lineup.

The Devil’s Rejects 20th Anniversary

The second installment of writer/director Rob Zombie’s demented Firefly Trilogy, The Devil’s Rejects, stands as a brutal love letter to 1970s grindhouse horror. The film follows the murderous Firefly family (Otis, Baby, and Captain Spaulding) as they go on the run from a vengeful sheriff, leaving a trail of violence and destruction in their wake. What makes The Devil’s Rejects stand out isn’t just its gore or exploitation aesthetics—it’s the unexpected humanity Zombie injects into his depraved characters. These villains are complex, charismatic, and terrifyingly relatable at times.

The Devil’s Rejects is a reminder of a pivotal moment in 2000s horror when independent filmmakers pushed boundaries and challenged the polished Hollywood formula. Zombie’s use of 16mm-style cinematography, a southern rock soundtrack, with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” never feeling more sinister, and the raw performances all culminated in a film experience that feels like a fever dream.

Trick ‘r Treat

Structured as an anthology, Trick ‘r Treat weaves together four interlocking stories that unfold over a single Halloween night in a small Ohio town. Each tale explores a different facet of the spooky season: a school principal with a murderous secret, a group of kids seeking revenge for a past tragedy, a young woman searching for love with a dark twist, and a reclusive older man facing a supernatural reckoning.

Presiding over it all is Sam, the burlap sack-wearing trick-or-treater who has become a modern Halloween icon. Small in stature but terrifying in intent, Sam enforces the holiday’s unwritten rules: always hand out candy, never blow out your jack-o’-lantern too early, and never, ever forget the true meaning of Halloween.

What makes Trick ‘r Treat stand out isn’t just its clever structure or memorable kills—it’s the atmosphere. Dougherty drenches every frame in autumnal visuals: flickering candles, rustling leaves, glowing pumpkins, and costumed revelers. It’s a film that feels like Halloween, and watching it in a packed theatre during October only amplifies that experience.

ParaNorman

Released in 2012 by Laika Studios (the minds behind Coraline), ParaNorman tells the story of a young boy, Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who can see and speak with the dead. Set in a New England town haunted by its Puritanical past, the film quickly evolves from a quirky ghost story to an emotional rollercoaster, exploring themes of bullying, misunderstanding, and legacy.

Cinematographer Tristan Oliver, alongside writer and directors Chris Butler and Sam Fell, crafted a stop-motion masterpiece that pulls from the roots of classic horror to build something distinctly unique. ParaNorman is a treasure trove of references, from the nods to Friday the 13th and Halloween, to a zombie siege that feels lifted from Night of the Living Dead. The worldbuilding and care Laika poured into the film make it the perfect treat for spooky season.

The Twilight Saga

Arguably the most debated film franchise of the 2000s, The Twilight Saga captivated the world. The saga, starting with Twilight (2008) and spanning five films, follows Bella Swan as she navigates love, danger, and immortality in the rainy town of Forks, Washington. The love triangle between Bella, the vampire Edward Cullen, and werewolf Jacob Black captivated a generation and sparked numerous online debates.

At its core, Twilight is a story about longing and transformation. Bella, alienated from the world around her, doesn’t just fall in love; she seeks a sense of belonging in a world that feels more real to her than her human one. Her desire to become immortal isn’t only about Edward, it’s about identity, power, and self-actualization. The franchise taps into the existential teenage desire to forge one’s own path.

Each installment adds complexity to this framework. In New Moon, Bella grapples with loss, depression, and emotional dependence. Eclipse explores the concept of choice – in love, in morality, in loyalty. Breaking Dawn dives into mature territory: marriage, pregnancy, bodily autonomy, and death. The supernatural framework never overshadows the emotional core.

Overall, the series redefined what horror romance could be, shaping the young adult scene and paving the way for franchises like The Hunger Games and Divergent.

Horror will always be a part of movie culture, and celebrating the roots of the genre is why we created Fright Fest. Join us in theatres nationwide for all things that go bump in the night.