SCREAM GUIDE: Halloween film events in London 2019
As is our usual at this time of year at RADIANT CIRCUS, we’ve tried to list as many Halloween horror shows as we could find. For full listings, check out our weekly screen digest [25 to 31 OCT], but here are some spooky highlights.
By RADIANT CIRCUS
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We’ve been lifelong horror heads at RADIANT CIRCUS, ever since discovering fire sale VHS editions of TEXAS CHAIN SAW, EVIL DEAD and THE EXORCIST at our local rental, which means Halloween is often our favourite listings time of year. We know it’s special because we don’t feel overwhelmed by repeat screenings of HALLOWEEN and THE SHINING (two hardy perennials), unlike our Christmas listings when mere mention of the words HOME ALONE are enough to send us into a downward spiral.
We also love how this special season brings out some creative programming in new venues with new collabs and new programmes (which also doesn’t seem to happen a lot come Christmas…). Maybe us audiences too like to push the boundaries with new seasonal scares each and every Halloween.
Our favourite exhibits this year include our featured attraction of the week, Possessed at Catford Mews (26 OCT 19:00), a disco double bill of IN FABRIC (26 OCT 19:30) + CHRISTINE (26 OCT 10:15) from the fine folk at We Do Good Disco. We love the programming, the people and the new place, but we also feel CHRISTINE is an overlooked gem in Carpenter’s canon and deserves being seen on the big screen in its new waxed and buffed 4K restoration.
Then there’s: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, a FREE Booze TV screening at Genesis Cinema (26 OCT 19:00); a brace of screenings of DARKNESS VISIBLE at Whirled Cinema (27 OCT 18:00) and then with added director Q&A at Peckhamplex (31 OCT 20:30); Film School’s learned discussion of DEAD OF NIGHT at The Cinema Museum (29 OCT 19:00); another Carpenter classic, THE THING + 80s Themed Party at Screen25 Cinema (use our promo code “CIRCUS19” to book and save…); THE WITCH + NOVEMBER over two Nigredo Nights at The Horse Hospital (29 & 31 OCT 19:00); croc-shocker CRAWL at The David Lean (31 OCT 19:30); a FREE! Folk Horror Halloween double bill of NIGHT OF THE DEMON + THE WICKER MAN presented by Redmond Pictures at Redmond Community Centre (31 OCT 19:30); DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE presented by Pitshanger Pictures at St Barnabas Church, Ealing (31 OCT 18:00); and, the tiny indie film that sent a lightning bolt through the genre, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD presented by Tufnell Park Film Club at The Lord Palmerston (29 OCT 20:00).
For original format screamings, indulge in INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE 35mm presented by The Celluloid Sorceress at Genesis Cinema (31 OCT 21:00) or, on the same night, a 16mm double bill of FRIDAY THE 13TH 16mm + THE EXORCIST 16mm from Ciné-Real 16mm Film Club at The Castle Cinema (31 OCT 18:45 & 21:00). The epic THRILLERS & KILLERS & MONSTERS, OH MY! season continues at The Prince Charles, including original format presentations of CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON 35mm (27 OCT 15:20), THE EXORCIST [Theatrical Cut] 35mm (27 OCT 17:30), THE FRIGHTENERS 35mm (27 OCT 20:30), THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT 35mm (28 OCT 18:25), and SCREAM + SCREAM 2 35mm (29 OCT 18:20). There’s also a stunning looking special screening of silent shocker HÄXAN + Live Score by The Begotten (28 OCT 20:45).
The Black Sunday Film Festival continues for a weekend of horror at Whirled Cinema (25 to 27 OCT), and Deptford Cinema reanimates their international collab with Final Girls Berlin Film Festival – Halloween Special for another Short Film Programme (31 OCT 19:30). Last but not least, let’s not forget our own RADIANT CIRCUS slice of horror: four bitesize canapés of terror we’re serving up at the LUNCHTIME FILM SOCIETY HALLOWEEN SPECIAL at The Bridewell Theatre (31 OCT 13:00).
There’s plenty more to to chose from* – as well as a whole heap of regular rep seasons, festivals & new releases! – listed in our weekly screen digest (where you can also find full film listings inc. director/year).
And that’s the meat of it… See you in darkness!
*Do let us know if we’ve missed your screening/local event with a DM. We have omitted some SOLD OUT events – like the wonderful Zodiac Film Club’s screening of BLOOD ON SATAN’S CLAW at The Curtain 29 OCT 19:00 – because they are beyond our help…
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*THE SMALL PRINT: As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any errors. Updates & corrections will be made to the online version. Event dates/times are subject to change by the venue/organiser. We try to only list events you can book for at the time of posting: however, some events may still be sold out. Please click quickly! We don’t filter by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should be 18+.