Monster Fest 2019

Overview

Australia's touring celebration of genre cinema, Monster Fest loves all things weird and wonderful on the big screen. From outback-set horror flicks to eye-popping remakes to strange Lovecraftian tales, this festival fills its program with horror, sci-fi, and anything else that's dark and twisted — and likely destined for a cult following.

Bringing its 2019 lineup to Brisbane, this excuse to spend plenty of time in a darkened room boasts quite the program. From opening night's 3 From Hell, aka Rob Zombie's latest ultra-gory crime effort, to the mind-bending wonders of Vivarium, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots, you'd best prepare for plenty offbeat treats.

Other standouts include Deerskin, in which Jean Dujardin is creepily obsessed with a fringed jacket; Color Out of Space, complete with Nicholas Cage going crazy; and  Ireland's ghostly and humorous Extra Ordinary, which boasts Will Forte and Claudia O'Doherty among its cast. Or, you can delve into the history of martial arts cinema with documentary Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks. And, you won't want to miss Tammy and the T-Rex, a 1994 comedy with Denise Richards and Paul Walker that really does have to be seen to be believed.

A word of warning: if you like your movies happy and chirpy, this isn't your kind of festival. If you're eager for the exact opposite, Monster Fest takes over Event Cinemas Myer Centre from Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 3.