17+ Scary, Sci-Fi and Suspenseful Movies to Check Out at Denver Film Festival

What can possibly make Halloween even better this year? For all of us, it’therefore the start of Denver Film Festival, that takes place on October 31. Forget about the 13-night-marathon of scary movies leading up to Halloween and instead, focus on the 13 nights afterwards.

For 2018, Denver Film Festival comes with almost two weeks of film screenings. To make things easier for you, we stumbled through over 200 movies to find everything that may keep the Halloween steam going following the spooky holidayseason. Here’s a look at everything scary, sci-fi, suspenseful and horrific now ’s Denver Film Festival. If you’re create a scary-film enthusiast, be sure to check out our program at the bottom of this guide, which summarizes how to grab every one the movies below, to receive your freaky fill.

READ: Red Carpet Films Announced for This Year’s Denver Film Festival

The Angel (El Angel)

When: Monday, November 5 p.m., Tuesday, November 6 at 4:15 p.m. and Wednesday, November 7 at 6:45 p.m.

Where: UA Pavilions — 500 16th St. Mall, Denver

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets. 

The Lowdown: Though marketed as more of a stylish crime-drama compared to a terrifying movie, this tense and sexually-cinematic Argentinian thriller follows the true-crime story of serial killer Carlos Robledo Puch. Puch was dubbed “The Angel of Death” — in which the film derives its title — also [SPOILER ALERT] has served more time in jail than anyone in Argentinian history. Having made an official choice place in the Cannes Film Festival this year, El Angel is guaranteed to be gripping as it is suspenseful. This film is a part of the CinemaLatino and CinemaQ micro-programming in DFF41 in Addition to Sheila K. O’Brien’s Emphasis on UK/Ireland Cinema.

Anna and the Apocalypse

When: Friday, November 9 t 11:45 p.m. and Saturday, November 10 at 9:30 p.m.

Where: Sie Film Center — 2510 E Colfax Ave.

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Deemed “Shaun of the Dead matches La La Land” by First Showing, this Christmas zombie musical (yes, even a Christmas zombie musical) should be one hell of a joyride. The 2017 movie surfaced at Fantastic Fest last year and has been making waves throughout its own circuit ever since, even screening earlier this month in Telluride Horror Show and making our best-of record . Consider Anna and the Apocalypse the best film to transition from Halloween to Christmas.

Border

When: Saturday, November 3 at 1:30 p.m. and Monday, November 5 at 6:45 p.m.

Where: UA Pavilions — 500 16th St. Mall

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: From the director of Let the Right One In comes another genre-bending film that’s portion of DFF’s unique presentation programming. Titled Border, the movie appears to find a similar balance between love and horror, amidst stylized cinematography.  Border took home an award in the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and was an official selection in this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, New York Film Festival and also Colorado’s Telluride Film Festival. At DFF, Border is currently in the running for its prestigious Krzysztof Kielowski Award for Best Feature Film.  But, Border is far from being some sort of premiere in DFF, believing it’s currently playing at Alamo Drafthouse.

Burning

When: Sunday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sie FilmCenter

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: This hot psychological thriller stars Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead‘s Glenn) since the antagonist and was an official selection at Cannes. Still not sold? Burning was nominated for three awards in lieu of its Cannes revealing, taking home two.  This special presentation simply has one screening, thus don’t sit on buying tickets however, Burning is slated for a limited US theatrical release before this screening — about November 9 — so it’s possible we will observe that the Korean film playing in a Denver theater soon.

CAM

Madeline Brewer (“Handmaid’s Tale”) in “CAM. ” Photo courtesy of IMDb

When: Friday, November 2 at 9:45 p.m. and Saturday, November 3 at 9 p.m.

Where: Sie FilmCenter — 2510 E Colfax Ave.

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: CAM is currently CU Denver’s College of the Arts & Media’s entry at this year’s DFF as well as screened before this month in Telluride Horror Show. It’s paranoia-fueled emotional thriller about gender work written by an ex-sex worker. It stars Madeline Brewer of Handmaid’s Tale, and the filmmaker Daniel Goldhaber won the Best First Feature award for CAM in this year’s Fantasia Film Festival.

Caniba

When: Thursday, November 1 at 9:15 p.m., Friday, November 2 at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, November 9 in 9 p.m.

Where: Sie FilmCenter — 2510 E Colfax Ave.

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Without doubt, the Japanese/French cooperation that’s Caniba is set to be one of the most despicable, disturbing and horrible films at this year’s DFF — also it’s documentary. Caniba follows Issei Sagawa — an older man who killed and cannibalized a girl 32 years back and to this day remains free. Both a personality analysis of Sagawa and a paternal look in his familial relationship with his brother, Caniba isn’t for the faint of heart. The movie was an official decision in this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), New York Film Festival (NYFF) and also a juried-prize winner in Venice Film Festival.  Note — act quickly, tickets for several Caniba showings are marked as “limited availability. ”

Chained for Life

When: Wednesday, November 7 at 1:45 p.m., Thursday, November 8 at 7:15 p.m. and Friday, November 9 in 4 p.m.

Where: UA Pavilions — 500 16th St. Mall

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Now, admittedly, this is not a terrifying movie. However, it’s satire dramedy about frightening films, which makes it worthwhile for us genre enthusiasts. This unnerving portrait of a Hollywood horror series pairs together a beautiful blonde woman plus also a physically-disfigured co-star. It spotlights the contentious exploitation and mistake that’s ingrained in Hollywood when it comes to casting actors and actresses with physical deformities.  Chained for Life continues now ’s Fantasia Film Festival and is currently holding down a 100-percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s in the running for its American Independent Award in DFF this season.

Hell is Where Your Home Is

Photo courtesy of IMDb

When: Friday, November 2 at 12:15 a.m. and Wednesday, November 7 at 9:15 p.m.

Where: Friday screening in Sie FilmCenter (2510 E Colfax Ave.); Wednesday screening at UA Pavilions (500 16th St. Mall)

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Say hello to this calendar year ’s Denver Film Festival slasher. Certified as a gory flick by the DFF app, this one is guaranteed to please lovers of house invasion thrillers. Home is Where the Hell Is has yet to release a trailer however, the storyline revolves around two couples that retreat to a house in the desert to work on their personal lives and connections, but the nighttime drags out of control one night after a stranger knocks on the door.

Ladyworld

When: Tuesday, November 6 at 7:15 p.m., Wednesday, November 7 at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, November 9 at 9:30 p.m.

Where: UA Pavilions — 500 16th St. Mall

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: There’so much footage outside as it comes to this low-budget introduction film by Amanda Kramer.  Ladyworld has just offered up a teaser-clip of the film thus far — no full trailer. However, from what we can tell from the clip, Ladyworld is seeming like a potentially violent, disturbing and psychological joyride. Compared to a contemporary take on Lord of the Flies the film’s plot is centered around an earthquake that leaves a bunch of teenage girls stranded in a house with restricted water, no mobile service and no power. I’m so sure that you can all imagine what’s next as the stakes grow higher and also the despair kicks in.  Ladyworld screened this year’s Fantastic Fest and is currently in the running for DFF’s Amerian Independent Award, the film’s nomination.

Jupiter’s Moon (Jupiter holdja)

When: Saturday, November 10 at 8:45 p.m. and Sunday, November 11 at 6:45 p.m.

Where: UA Pavilions — 500 16th St. Mall

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: This politically-relevant thriller follows a Syrian refugee in his trip to escape his homeland to Hungary. After being caught by police officers, it’so detected that he has special powers. Seemingly cinematically engaging, violent and suspenseful, this one’s can’t-miss.  Jupiter’s Moon has won awards in Sitges, Austin Fantastic Fest, Norwegian International Film Festival and more, plus it screened in the last year’s Cannes. The film is part of why DFF41’s focus on Hungarian Cinema.

Number 37

When: Friday, November 2 9:15 p.m., Saturday, November 3 at 6:15 p.m. and Monday, November 5 in two p.m.

Where: Friday and Saturday screenings in UA Pavilions (500 16th St. Mall); Monday screening at Sie Film Center (2510 E Colfax Ave.). 

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Described South Africa’s Rear Window, this taut crime thriller was located in the 2018 SXSW Film Festival with a nomination and all. Fans of last year’s DFF choice Cold Hell (Die Holle) should keep this film in their radar in what’s stacking up for a taut and violent flick.

Perfect

When: Friday, November 2 at 9:45 p.m. and Saturday, November 3 at 9 p.m.

Where: Friday screening at Sie FilmCenter (2510 E Colfax Ave.); Saturday screening at UA Pavilions (500 16th St. Mall). 

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Long story short — don’t miss Perfect. The film was an official selection in SXSW Film Festival, is co-executive produced by Steven Soderbergh (director of Traffic, Erin Brokovich, Unsane, Magic Mike, Solaris) and contains original songs by Flying Lotus. The film doesn’t seem too scary but looks as if it’s going to divulge itself in literary cinematography, gore, suspense and political undertones. Perfect is one of two choices this year by the DFS Reel Social Club — the most late-night choice (another being In a Relationship starring Emma Roberts — the most date-night choice ). Interesting fact — Soderbergh is staying active. He announced this month per Netflix NBA play starring Meryl Streep and David Schwimmer.

Prospect

When: Saturday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Sie Film Center — 2510 E Colfax Ave.

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: This sci-fi thriller was a winner in the 2018 SXSW Film Festival and today , it’s making its way to Denver Film Festival. The film follows a father and daughter in an alien world since they mine for valuable stone. But , they’re not alone, joined by additional miners and inhabitants, finally leading to a emotional (and seemingly violent) outcome. With no more than one screening and slotted during the exact same time as a red rug presentation (Vox Lux with Natalie Portman and Jude Law), it is a difficult one to work in your program. If you’re a psychological-sci-fi aficionado, we recommend checking out Prospect, but if you’re a fan of Natalie Portman, think about Vox Lux because Prospect is slated for an official release this November 2, indicating that we might see it at Denver theaters shortly after.

Shorts 3 (Late Night)

When: Friday, November 2 at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, November 8 in 9 p.m. and Friday, November 9 at 9:30 p.m.

Where: UA Pavilions — 500 16th St. Mall

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Denver Film Festival’s late-night shorts section is obviously a crowd-pleaser. Remember not all the shorts are horror — rather, the string ’ aim is to observe more adult-appropriate shorts in one sitting (similar to Denver Film Festival’s overall Late-Night programming that they predict “the darkened side of theater “). This year’s segment notably comprises a creepy dance-fueled film titled Child of the Sky (trailer above). It was choreographed by Denna Thomsen that ’s worked with Florence + the Machine, Sia, Sigur Rós and more.  Also, this section contains a doc-short titled The Beaning that explores a theory around the 1920 passing of Ray Chapman and the growth of the Yankees dynasty that followed. Other Colours in the series include 86’d, Coyote Hair, lslands (Les îles), Wolf and Milk, some of which have won awards at Sundance, Cannes, Fantasia and SXSW — so strap yourselves in for a damn good ride.

Tyrel

When: Wednesday, November 7 at 6:15 Legislation and Thursday, November 8 at 3:45 p.m.

Where: UA Pavilions — 500 16th St. Mall

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Though Tyrel is technically a drama-comedy, Paste Magazine called the film as “one of the funniest non-horror movies you’ll ever see. ” The film has also been known as “2018’s response to Get Out” — and even stars Caleb Landry Jones, the brother from Get Out.  The film follows a black guy — Tyler (maybe not Tyrel) — that goes on a vacation with a group of white “bros” since the film description says. What unfolds is a tense, thought-provoking story of race in America. Also starring Christopher Abbott (Girls, It Comes in Night and DFF41’therefore Vox Lux) and Michael Cera, Tyrel is part of DFF’s American Independent Showcase and in the running for the Amerian Independent Award.

Violence Voyager

When: Thursday, November 8 at 9:30 p.m. and Friday, November 9 at midnight. 

Where: Sie Film Center — 2510 E Colfax Ave.

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Violence Voyager uses a kind of animation called gekimation that utilizes paper dolls and puppetry. Described by DFS within an “adventure film that’s certainly not for kids. ” And don’t think that utilizing animation held back manager Ujicha from making this type of gross and gory feat. The film follows two boys that venture into the mountains to go to a friend. Along the road, they find Violence Voyager — a “hands amusement park. ” What begins as a mysteriously fun adventure turns into a dark thrill ride since the boys realize additional children are trapped in Violence Voyager for days and the park’therefore owner has some devious plans of his own.

Virtual Reality Experiences — Fire Escape and also Dinner Party

Virtual fact demonstrations at Denver Film Festival. Photo by Kyle Cooper.

When: All experiences start on Thursday, November 1 using Fire Escape accessible until Saturday, November 3 and also Dinner Party accessible until Sunday, November 11. Virtual Reality hours are Monday-Wednesday from 3-8 p.m., Thursday-Friday out of 3-9 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday by 11 a.m.-9 p.m. with the exception of its closing finishing on Sunday, November 11 in 4 pm

Where: McNichols Civic Center Building — 144 W. Colfax Ave.

Price: Fire Escape is $12 for DFS associates and $14 for non-members; Dinner Party is currently completely free of charge. Proceed here for tickets and more info. 

The Lowdown: Every year DFF comprises exciting virtual reality (VR) experiences — and this year they’Id comprised two spooky ones. The first — Fire Escape — is still a thriller inspired by Rear Window (even watch Number 37) in which you play a voyeur watching windows out of a Brooklyn fire escape. According to the program, you aren’t a voyeur for long, however. The second spooky VR experience is based on an actual story.  Dinner Party sits you down in a kitchen table with an Hills — a few who were listed as the first nationwide UFO abduction. Watch and listen as they recount what happened — or even didn’t happen.

The Wolf House (La casa lobo)

When: Thursday, November 1 at 9:45 p.m., Friday, November 2 at midnight and Saturday, November 3 at 9:30 p.m.

Where: Sie Film Center — 2510 E Colfax Ave.

Price: $12 for DFS associates; $16 for non-members. Go here for tickets.

The Lowdown: Animation doesn’t get much creepier than this.  Chilean movie The Wolf House utilizes stop-motion animation to create haunting imagery across various mediums. The film seemingly plays with your perception by means of depth, different artistic sockets and tricks-of-the-eye. Following a religious community and family, a banished girl and mutating animals, this one must be a complex feat carried by imaginative animation.  The Wolf House is a part of Denver Film Festival’s CinemaLatino micro-programming.

Schedule

This ’s a program so that you may catch all the movies in this article. The program is organized according to advantage to prevent traveling between theaters. VR is not listed.

Thursday, November 1

9:45 p.m.: The Wolf House @ Sie FilmCenter

Friday, November 2

1:30 p.m.: Shorts 3 (Late Night) @ UA Pavilions
6:30 p.m.: Caniba @ Sie FilmCenter
9:45 p.m.: CAM @ Sie FilmCenter
12:15 a.m.: Hell is Where the Home Is @ Sie FilmCenter (also screening unconflicted on Wednesday, November 7 at 9:15 p.m.)

Saturday, November 3

1:30 p.m.: Border @ UA Pavilions (also screening unconflicted on Monday, November 5 in two p.m.)
6:15 p.m.: Number 37 @ UA Pavilions (also screening unconflicted on Monday, November 5 in two pm )
9 p.m.: Perfect @ UA Pavilions

Sunday, November 4

NA

Monday, November 5

NA (Border and Number 37 are screening unconflicted if you can’t see these November 3)

Tuesday, November 6

4:15 p.m.: The Angel @ UA Pavilions
7:15 p.m.: Ladyworld @ UA PAvilions

Wednesday, November 7

6:15 p.m.: Tyrel @ UA Pavilions (also screening unconflicted on Thursday, November 8 at 3:45 p.m.)

Thursday, November 8

7:15 p.m.: Chained for Life @ UA Pavilions (also screening unconflicted on Friday, November 9 in 4 p.m.)
9:30 p.m.: Violence Voyager @ Sie FilmCenter

Friday, November 9

11:45 p.m.: Anna and the Apocalypse @ Sie FilmCenter

Saturday, November 10

Note: There is very little time between these screenings making this a potential conflict. This is the only screening of Prospect. Jupiter’s Moon has one other revealing at the exact same time as the only screening of Burning on Sunday, November 11 below. 

6:30 p.m.: Prospect @ Sie FilmCenter
8:45 p.m.: Jupiter’s Moon @ UA Pavilions

Sunday, November 11 

7:30 p.m.: Burning @ Sie FilmCenter

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