Midnight Madness at the Toronto International Film Festival has been a staple of the film festival circuit since its inception. Currently programmed and hosted by Peter Kuplowsky, Midnight Madness is a unique and boundary-pushing showing of horror, thriller, sci-fi, comedy, and action films. To me, Midnight Madness is the crown jewel in the world of Midnight Movies.
Not everything is a hit, but it will at least be a memorable experience. Pair the films with some fun gimmicks — like everyone throwing beach balls around the theatre before the screening or the infinite love for both the Ryerson Theater and the amazing current venue “THE RAT” — and you guarantee a night to remember.
Below, I recommend ten films from Midnight Madness’ past for those wanting to explore the vast world of Midnight Movies.
Opera (1987)
The first on my list of midnight gems is a classic from the master of horror himself Dario Argento. This film follows a young opera singer who is thrown into a world of terror when a serial killer starts stalking and killing her costars. The catch is that she is forced to watch every brutal slaying to its conclusion. Argento takes all the standard elements of Giallo filmmaking and cranks them up to eleven in this disorienting flick with an elegant flair.
The cinematography and editing are top-notch and help cement the film’s erratic nature. Cristina Marsillach, too, does a fantastic job as the lead singer going through these intense events. Argento has many classics under his belt, and this one is always in the running for his best film. This is his last truly great film, as his recent efforts have been less than desirable.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
Japan’s additions to the cyberpunk subgenre often take a negative approach toward the full-throated adoption of technology, and I’ve always been a fan of that approach. Shinya Tsukamoto is the most prolific filmmaker who tried their hand at the format. Tetsuo: The Iron Man, while not my favorite of his works, is a great film. It’s a low-budget movie, but those constraints add a memorable personality to the film.
The rapid use of editing and some pretty primitive but admirable practical effects cement this film as one of the foundational flicks of the movement. The overwhelming industrial score by Chu Ishikawa, a frequent collaborator of Tsukamoto, helps envelop the audience in the experience. Throw in some technological homoerotic subtext, and you have a short and sweet descent into the Cyberpunk genre that you’ll never forget.
Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby (1999)
Starring one of my all-timers Natasha Lyonne and shot mostly in Vancouver, Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby takes the story of Hansel and Gretel and puts a uniquely 90s spin on it. We follow Lyonne and Maria Celedonio, two convicts-turned-lovers who break out of their confinement and go on a killing spree. The film culminates in a wild third act with an unexpected performance from Vincent Gallo. Probably the least known of the films on this list, Freeway exudes an energy and swagger that was only achievable with a 90s low-budget grindhouse throwback. Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby is the type of film that would fit perfectly on Cinemax or in the thriller section at the video store. If you’re looking for something that leans more towards the comedic than the horrific, you’ll probably have a great time with Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby.
Ichi The Killer (2001)
If you ask someone about Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, they’d likely cite two films as his most recognizable: Audition (1999) and Ichi The Killer. The latter is one of my favorite comic book movies. It follows a Yakuza enforcer named Kakihara who’s on the trail of Ichi, a mysterious man who seems to beat everyone apart of Kakihara’s crew in a bloody fashion. I wouldn’t recommend this film to those who have problems with gore because it is unrelenting. The attention to honestly adapting the comic is one of the standout elements of the film. Ichi has been a part of many disturbing film lists, as its infamy in the cinematic landscape has been around since it premiered at festivals. It’s a brutal and sadistic comic book action flick that also knows when to be comedic and suave. Miike has always been great at weaving together an unnerving cinematic experience with a strong mystery at the center, and Ichi brings all of his strengths together in one nice package.
The Host (2006)
A thrilling monster movie from Bong Joon-Ho, a filmmaker who has finally received his roses at the 2020 Academy Awards, The Host follows a man trying to save his family from a mutated squid creature that appears from the ocean and wreaks havoc on Seoul. Bong has always been a master of elaborate action pieces and human drama. Here, he blends both elements to create one of his more accessible works.
Song Kang-Ho, who has become a Bong regular at this point, delivers a fantastic performance as someone in shock and intrigue of the cataclysmic event in front of him. Bong’s choices regarding the cinematography, the lighting, and the editing bring you closer to the crisis. The subtext also helps strengthen the movie as a whole; this is very much a film about Americans invading Korea and imposing their way of life on civilians. Bong crafts a throwback monster flick around that idea, helping to bring the message in a more palpable way. Bong Joon-Ho might be our best working director, and The Host is one of his standouts.
The Lords of Salem (2012)
The Lords of Salem, Rob Zombie’s most accomplished work, is a journey into the world of rock and the many associations it gets with the world of satanism and witchcraft. A woman is sent a mysterious package that contains a record deemed a “gift from the lords.” The music triggers something in our lead, Heidi, that compels her to dig deeper into the true horrific history of Salem. The film is surreal and trippy while also having a fantastic performance from Zombie’s wife Sheri Moon Zombie. Fitting uses of heavy metal help bring the entire vision to the screen, and the film contains some great supporting performances from icons of the genre like Ken Foree from Dawn of The Dead and Dee Wallace from Cujo. With this ambitious mix of horror staples, Zombie crafts an experience that takes you into the world of witchcraft and gives you a ride that is unique to the style of its director.
It Follows (2014)
Probably the most well-known film in this list, It Follows is a modern classic in the horror genre. The film follows Maika Monroe as she is stalked by an evil force that seemingly came from a random fling she had. One of the most notable things about this film is the score done beautifully by Disasterpiece. They craft a score akin to something John Carpenter would have whipped up in the 70s and 80s. This element, along with the choices of camera techniques and colors, makes It Follows feel like a lost film from a bygone era of horror cinema. The film is a love letter to those films that many horror fans and filmmakers grew up on. Monroe’s performance made her a star and a notable name in the horror genre. She delivers a character worthy of the final girl status and proves her ability to take her material and bring it to a new level. It Follows has gained a huge reputation in the history of horror, and it deserves it.
Climax (2018)
This has to be my favorite of the selections. Gaspar Noe’s Climax isn’t a film you watch, it’s one you experience. The film, like most of his others, takes you on an audiovisual psychedelic trip and you aren’t the same person after you’ve seen it. Climax follows a group of dancers at an abandoned school who are practicing for an upcoming dance event in the United States. After someone spikes their communal punch with LSD, the group is thrown into the worst trip imaginable as their bonds with each other and their selves begin to unravel.
This has to be one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen as Noe uses his floating camera techniques to fully immerse you into the world of these dancers. The camera follows the action with a certain rhythm that is complimented by the use of one continuous shot in the two most prominent segments of the film. Everything down to the choice of songs on the soundtrack helps accurately represent a drug trip. The film also includes a fantastic performance from Sofia Boutella. Despite some of the wild subject matter, this film proves that a party hosted by Gaspar Noe might be a hell of a time. You might see some things that will shock you, but you’ll also have an experience unlike any that came before it and one that will be challenging to replicate. Who would’ve guessed a slow descent into hell would be the ultimate trip?
Titane (2021)
A grotesque body horror film with a heartfelt message about family at its center sounds absolutely wild, but the queen of modern horror Julia Ducournau was able to pull it off spectacularly with Titane. The film made a huge splash at its world premiere, winning the Palme d’Or in 2021 and finding massive success at film festivals after. Titane is the second film from Ducournau, who previously made 2016’s Raw. Titane follows a woman on the run who happens to kill a few people along the way and gets more than she bargained for. She also has a psychic connection with vehicles, allowing for some great moments of body horror.
There’s a fantastic dual performance here from Agathe Rousselle and Vincent Lindon. The pair have such perfect chemistry that you find yourself sucked into this unexpected father-and-son tale that breaks through the gnarly and sexy elements at its surface. Ducournau’s talent as a writer and filmmaker shines bright, as it is witty and suspenseful but also visually stunning.
Riddle Of Fire (2023)
The most recent film from this list is Riddle Of Fire, a film I missed at TIFF last year but was able to recently check out. My favorite selection from Midnight Madness 2023, Riddle of Fire is a fantastic throwback to 80s adventure films (mostly The Goonies and The Princess Bride) with an esoteric folklore vibe that engulfs the film. It follows a group of kids who go on a wild adventure to find ingredients to make their parental figure a pie to cure their sickness, but as they go deeper into their quest, they soon realize that there’s much more brewing under the surface.
The heavy use of dungeon synth for the score gives the film a certain energy. The entire movie feels like playing D&D with your friends, bringing a certain coziness to the viewing experience. The three foul-mouthed child leads bring some personality to the world, especially Phoebe Ferro, who is the standout of the entire film. The needle drop of “Baby Come Back” by Player is the cherry on top of this fun esoteric experience. This is the only film on this list that you can watch with the entire family, and, if you are a fan of the fantasy genre or role-playing games, this film is definitely for you.
List Courtesy of Becca Harleen
Feature Image from ‘Titane’ Courtesy of MUBI