Mayhem is a film festival that happens in Nottingham every October. It's mostly but not exclusively horror films, also covering sci-fi, fantasy and anything with a dark vibe to it.
Assume all these films are for mature audiences only, unless otherwise specified.
Here's my recommendations from this year.
MY NEW FAVOURITE FILM
This film was so special I had to put it in it's own category.
Freaks Out
Mayhem synopsis: From the creator of Mayhem hit I Am Jeeg Robot, this is just as genre-defying a take on the superhero genre as its predecessor. 1943 – a group of bizarre circus performers must rescue their mentor, Israel, after the Nazis arrest him. Gloriously anarchic entertainment.
If you see one film from these recommendations, this is it.
I can't believe how good this film is. This might be the best film I've ever seen. Not joking.
This is a superhero movie. I'm well aware that the last decade or so has seen a hell of a lot of superhero movies, so when I tell you this is possibly my favourite, I don't say it lightly. This movie made me feel like Avengers Endgame did, but without the decade of cinematic universe to build up the investment.
This movie as yet hasn't got a UK release, but you can get a region free Blu-Ray on Amazon- something I will definitely be doing.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
These are worth going out of your way to see.
Unicorn Wars
Mayhem synopsis: Fascist, bigoted teddy bears enter a magical forest to wage all-out war against black Unicorns in an attempt to drink Unicorn blood and remain beautiful forever. A madly psychedelic, fully animated, ultra-violent clash of care bears and Apocalypse Now.
From the synopsis I was expecting this to be my highlight of the festival, and it would have been if not for the spectacular Freaks Out. This is a really really strong war film - dark, gritty, emotional, depressing, and made all the more potent by the fact the characters are called things like Cuddly Wuddly.
Just see this film. The teddy bear military base has the slogan "Honour. Pain. Cuddles". If that doesn't sell it to you, I don't know what will.
Dark Glasses
Mayhem synopsis: A chance to see the latest film from the maestro of horror (and first after a decade) on the big screen. Ilenia Pastorelli (Jeeg Robot) plays a sex worker, blinded in an accident that leaves her responsible for an orphaned Chinese boy - they team up to survive the serial killer hunting them down. This is a lean, mean, stripped-back giallo with a pounding electronic score from Arnaud Rebotini.
I think you can watch this one on Shudder. A really strong entry in the "psycho vs survivor" thriller genre.
Incredible But True
Mayhem synopsis: Alain and Marie are looking for the house of their dreams – but the estate agent has a surprise for them in the basement. A surprise that might change their lives forever. From the director of Rubber, and the mind behind Flat Eric, comes this mix of cracked-sitcom and sci-fi, with totally surreal twists creating a genuinely hilarious but utterly original creation.
This is a light, funny, quirky movie from that one guy that did the film about a killer car tyre (and the song Flatbeat apparently). It's very enjoyable and I guarantee you won't have seen anything else like it.
MORE GREAT STUFF
These movies were jolly good fun, and if you're still hungry for more after watching everything we've talked about so far, they're very much worth your time.
The Harbinger
Mayhem synopsis: Monique leaves the safety of her family home to help a friend suffering in isolation. But her friend is having very bad dreams indeed… and they're spreading. Andy Mitton delivered big time with the unsettling The Witch in the Window – a big hit at Mayhem in 2018. Now he's back with an even more ambitiously scary film set during lockdown.
First things first - The Witch in the Window is great and worth going and watching, if you haven't seen it yet.
The Harbinger was a very good pure horror film. It would be in the "festival highlights" section if the bar hadn't been set so high by some of the other films on this year. This is well worth checking out.
Jethica
Mayhem synopsis: Unable to shake off her stalker, Jessica discovers that she needs help from beyond the grave to get rid of him for good. A gem of an alternative ghost film - inventive, smart, dead-pan funny. Mayhem is delighted to host the UK premiere.
A ghost story that is cosy, gentle and feel-good. What a lovely spin on the genre! I would describe it as a "pumpkin-spice ghost movie". Does that make sense?
Vesper
Mayhem synopsis: After the collapse of the ecosystem, 13-year-old Vesper must use her skills to survive while protecting her father. Impressive science-fiction worldbuilding in an edge-of-your-seat adventure from the creators of cult hit Vanishing Waves.
A very good post apocalyptic sci-fi entry. Very much gave me the same vibes as Prospect from a Mayhem a few years back.
Of course, the great thing about post-apocalyptic sci-fi these days is you can experience it yourself for free by just waiting about 10 years.
No Looking Back
Mayhem synopsis: Wanting a clean slate after a brutal time in prison, Olya returns to collect her 10 year old daughter. What follows is a violent, whiplash-fast cross-country pursuit in this impressive, all-action follow-up to the huge Mayhem hit Why Don't You Just Die!
(Fair warning: this is a Russian movie. I expect film-makers in Russia do not have any influence over foreign policy, but nonetheless, I think it's fair for that to make you feel a little uneasy.)
The movie is great fun with a fantastic performance from the child actor. It's worth seeing, as is their previous film Why Don't You Just Die! Note - you don't have to have seen one or see the other.
Huesera
Mayhem synopsis: Having wanted a child, Valeria soon discovers that her pregnancy is nothing like the miracle she dreamed of. Something is very wrong. A truly nerve-jangling experience in horror.
A solid pure horror entry. I found myself wanting a bit more from the ending, but the ride was bloody good fun.
Watcher
Mayhem synopsis: Joining her husband in Bucharest, a young American woman (Monroe, It Follows) soon suspects that the man constantly watching her from across the building is a serial killer, decapitating local women. Stylishly scary, terrifyingly tense.
It's a good thriller about a land where curtains are not fully understood. The general theme of "nobody pays attention to the silly concerns of the obviously hysterical woman" is frustrating, but perhaps that's the point.
Wolf Manor
Mayhem synopsis: The crew of a low-budget vampire film finds the production violently interrupted – by a resident werewolf! Inventive fun from the prolific Brunt – whose indie, DIY filmmaking ethos underpins a deep love of the genre.
It's your standard "monster kills its' way through a group" formula with some lovely gags to make this more worthwhile than your average B-movie.
Sleepwalkers
Mayhem synopsis: One of the strangest original concepts dreamt up by Stephen King, and a late-night treat. Charles and his mother are Sleepwalkers: shape-shifting, incestuous vampires that feed off the lifeforce of virgin college girls. The only thing that can defeat them: domestic moggies!
If 90s cinema generally gives you a hearty dose of healthy nostalgia, I can recommend this one. It's the sort of silly, preposterous, over-the-top fun you expect from the era.
Fair warning: there are a lot of cats in this movie (awww!) and some of them don't live long happy lives (oh).
WHAT ELSE WAS ON?
I enjoyed everything at Mayhem 2022, and part of the joy of it is seeing things outside what you would usually watch and trying out things you wouldn't normally go for. These films weren't typically my sort of thing but maybe they are yours?
The Appointment - a 1981 film about a family having deadly premonitions. I enjoyed elements of this but felt it was a bit too drawn out. Perhaps the talk of today's youth having no attention span is fair eh?
Birdemic 3: Sea Eagle - if you make a deliberately terrible film ironically, is it still a terrible film? I'll leave that up to you. If you've seen the previous two entries in this epic franchise or enjoyed The Room, this is for you.
Kuroneko - a 1968 black and white Japanese film about ghosts seeking revenge on samurai. For those more into classic cinema than I am, I suspect, but I did enjoy it nonetheless.
SHORT FILM SHOWCASE
I wanted to make special mention of the Short Film Showcase, which Mayhem hosts every year. As these aren't the sort of thing you'll be buying on Blu-Ray, it seems pointless to talk much about them, except to say that these are always a highlight of the festival should you find yourself near Nottingham next October and have a few hours free.