Five horror highlights at Paracinema

Five horror highlights at Paracinema By Alex Davis

Paracinema returns to Derby for the early May Bank Holiday weekend, running at the city’s popular QUAD venue and serving up four days of film from a wide range of genres. The term paracinema itself means ‘movies away from the mainstream’, and the Festival has always sought to embody that with an eclectic mix of programming. And the same holds for 2025, with thrillers, comedy, sci-fi, Western, dystopia and more on the slate.

But of course horror remains a firm favourite of ours, and with the Festival closing in I’m going to take a look at five of the best horror movies on show at the event, presented here in alphabetical order…

1978

…and I think a number should come first if I am going to be properly alphabetical? Fresh from our event partners at Black Mandala, 1978 comes to us from the Onetti brothers, who have developed a reputation in their native Argentina and beyond for tense, gritty horror features. And 1978 is no different, seeing a group of people kidnapped in Argentina during the World Cup final of that year.

But soon enough the power dynamics begin to shift, and the captors begin to realise just who their prisoners truly are… 1978 is not an easy watch, but is bound to leave an impression on any horror viewer with its dark tone and brutal imagery. What better way to spend a Bank Holiday Monday afternoon?
More at https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/1978/

A Final Exorcism

The British horror scene has been through a fascinating journey over the last few years, and ever-present in that is director Sam Mason Bell, who is one of the genre’s busiest men. His work in directing movies on a shoestring budget that achieve way beyond what they should speaks for itself, and A Final Exorcism is a movie about possession that is driven only partly by scares while bringing a strong focus to the range of characters at the heart of the movie. It’s important that a festival like ours supports British horror, so we’re delighted to have this one showing on Saturday 3^rd May.
More at https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/finalexorcism/

Chainsaws Were Singing

While my personal knowledge of Estonian cinema is limited, if they all have the verve, energy and attitude Chainsaws Were Singing have, then I have been sorely missing out. A wild, blood-soaked slasher romantic-comedy (yes, you read that right), it’s hard to really find much to compare this one to – I feel like Takashi Miike’s equally out-there The Happiness of the Katakuris is about the nearest thing. Chainsaws was ten years in the making, and you can see the love and determination to bring the movie to fruition on the screen. This one closes proceedings on the 4^th May.
More at https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/chainsaws/

Exorcismo

Each year at Paracinema we seem to have a presence for documentaries, and 2025 is no different with Exorcismo, a look at the Spanish horror films that came out in the wake of Franco’s death and the loosening of what had been stringent censorship laws. This movie explores the change in the movie-making climate as Spanish movies began to embrace blood, sex, nudity and more besides with the movies that became known as ‘Clasificada S’ – and you might be surprised just how many you have seen and heard of…
Screening on the 4^th May – more at https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/exorcismo/

Razor Blade Smile (with director Q+A)

Upon its release in 1998, Jake West’s vampire action movie quickly gained a cult following and has held a special place in the heart of many a British horror fan. With a sterling term from Eileen Daly in the role of Lilith Silver, Razor Blade Smile has just been remastered and will be screened in all its glory on Saturday 3^rd May, along with a Q+A with director Jake West on the day.
More at https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/razorbladesmile/

As well as all our horror treats, we’ll be taking a special look at the visionary television shows of ITC, examining the world of the female vampire with a talk from Monstrous Flesh, bringing preview screenings of brand-new thriller Gazer and The Surfer (starring Nicolas Cage) and much more! If you love your genre, cult and of course horror films, then Paracinema could be just the Festival for you!

Check out more details at https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/season-festival/paracinema-film-festival/ and https://paracinema.co.uk/

Further Reading

If you’re a fan of spine-chilling tales and hair-raising suspense, then you won’t want to miss the horror features page on The Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website. This is the ultimate destination for horror enthusiasts seeking in-depth analysis, thrilling reviews, and exclusive interviews with some of the best minds in the genre. From independent films to mainstream blockbusters, the site covers a broad spectrum of horror media, ensuring that you’re always in the loop about the latest and greatest.

The passionate team behind The Ginger Nuts of Horror delivers thoughtful critiques and recommendations that delve into the nuances of storytelling, character development, and atmospheric tension. Whether you’re looking for hidden gems to stream on a dark and stormy night or want to explore the work of up-and-coming horror filmmakers, this page is packed with content that will ignite your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat.

So grab your favorite horror-themed snacks, settle into a cozy spot, and immerse yourself in the chilling world of horror literature and film. Head over to The Ginger Nuts of Horror and embark on a journey through the eerie and the extraordinary it’s an adventure you won’t soon forget!