It was Film Threat’s first-ever attendance at the genre film festival Toronto After Dark. The 17th annual horror-thriller-sci-fi festival took place in Toronto’s (that’s in Canada, for all you Americans) most significant and most recognizable Downtown cinema, Scotiabank Theatre. It was a fantastic venue for the proceedings, known by many in Canadian film festival circuits, and most importantly, equipped with an on-site bar (though we’re still waiting for a way to drink beer in line). The TAD team developed a robust and well-curated lineup of films spanning multiple genres, styles, countries, and filmmakers. The strength of the roster was reflected in record-breaking attendance for the festival, as well as multiple sellout showings on the biggest screen in the building.
Special thanks go out to Christian Burgess, TAD’s Publicity Coordinator, for reaching out to us about the festival. Huge thanks also to the entire TAD team, programmers, and volunteers. Check out the Toronto After Dark website and Facebook page for information on next year’s festival. And be sure to pick up some of their killer Lovecraftian and Horror-themed posters.
Check out all of our TAD 2023 movie reviews, including…
Late Night with the Devil, Soul Proprietor, Restore Point, Xtemplar, The Deep Dark, Black Paris.
Late Night with the Devil
Late Night with the Devil is a cerebral horror-thriller filmed as a late-night talk show from the 1970s. Featuring a stellar turn for leading man David Dastmalchian, the film is both playful and taut, comic and wonderfully tense. It is a memorable horror feature strewn with tantalizingly tense moments.
Soul Proprietor
Though it appears to follow a rudimentary horror structure, the short film Soul Proprietor cleverly manipulates audience perception to create wonderful layers of surprise. It is all buffeted by excellent makeup and special effects work.
Restore Point
Hailed as the Czech Blade Runner, Restore Point is a visually stunning sci-fi feature set in a sublimely rendered brutalist future. Beautiful cinematography is married with contemplative camerawork to create a moody and ethereal detective thriller.
Xtemplar
Xtemplar is a sci-fi-action short with a unique visual identity. Based in a neo-medieval world, the film is brought to life with a striking art style that looks like an acrylic painting.
The Deep Dark
A modern horror gem, The Deep Dark is an exquisitely shot horror feature that is evocative of the cult horrors of the past. Strong character work is fused with magnificent practical effects, creating a delectable tangibility to both the personalities and the setting.
Black Paris
A moody and atmospheric horror short, Black Paris deals heavily with ambiguity to delve into the realm of human emotion. Filmed entirely on The Volume, it utilizes both black and white and vivid colour to explore themes such as decision, memory, and potentiality.
