Jon Partridge

SXSW 2026: LEVITICUS is a Vital Queer Reclamation of Horror cinapse.co/2026/03/sxsw-2…

Closing put my #SXSW coverage with probably my favorite film of the fest. The debut feature from Dario “Danger 5” Russo. A brilliantly absurdist folk parable. My review at @CinapseNews

DRAG. Starts as squeamish slapstick and then descends into a pitch black comedy thriller. Very mean in moments, guaranteed to elicit hooting and hollering in others. Lizzy Caplan being put through the wringer here is a truly visceral experience. #SXSW

NORMAL. Interim Sheriff uncovers small town conspiracy. Hella fun feature that feels like a midwestern riff on the final act of HOT FUZZ. Odenkirk solidifies his hold on the unsuspecting action star genre. Just a gleeful smorgasbord of comedic carnage. #SXSW

SEAHORSE. A heartfelt work, centered on memory and metal health, with a father/daughter relationship at its core. Aisha Evelyna delivers a poignant piece as writer/director that points to a promising future in film. #SXSW

MONITOR mines some familiar horror tropes, but in a truly effective and resonant way. My review over at @CinapseNews #SXSW

THE FOX. A parable about the perils of quick fixes in our relationships (and talking to the animals). Blends mystic and absurdist elements into a weird and wonderful comedy, with subtle shades of folk horror. Magnificent deployment of Englebert Humperdinck. #SXSW

SEEKERS OF INFINITE LOVE. A roadtrip to save a sister from a cult. Fueled by sibling strife, it leverages constant conflict into comedy and an array of flawed characters into a palpable chemistry. The sort of film that sustains a wry smile from start to finish. #SXSW

MILE END KICKS. A coming of age tale that nicely chronicles the steps (and missteps) taken by a woman truing to forge an identity in a male-dominated arena. Makes great use of its Montreal setting, and a committed, warts and all performance from Barbie Ferreira. #SXSW

BASIC. An incisive and hilarious take on modern day dating, self-worth, and sisterhood. Writer/director Chelsea Devantez plants her flag with warmly realized & rich characters, a keen wit, and an assured sense of visual story telling. #SXSW

DREAMQUIL is a glossy technological parable that just fails to synch up. My review over at @CinapseNews #SXSW

DEAD EYES. The cinematic equivalent of one of those rail-shooter games you find in an arcade. Not a compliment. #SXSW

AND HER BODY WAS NEVER FOUND. Marital strife blows open a multi-layered, meta affair that brilliantly uses structure and perspective to weave together a “real life” relationship drama, thriller, and comedy into one. #SXSW

LEVITICUS. A gnarly Australian horror where religious fervor and the supernatural are deployed as agents of gay-conversion therapy. Expertly ramps up the sense of fear and isolation through a relentless force evoking It Follows, but its enduring love story sets it apart. #sxsw

SUMMER OF ‘94 is a fantastic doc that gets into the reality-style approach of the US to build a team to be proud of for the 1994 World Cup. Full of warmth and character, my review over at @CinapseNews #SXSW @FOXSports

HOKUM. A haunted man tackling his inner demons, as well as evil, both human and unearthly. Hits the horror beats with immaculate precision and delivers a devilishly fun time while doing it. Damien McCarthy’s most consistent and complete feature to date. #sxsw

The Thirteenth Annual Cinapse Awards cinapse.co/2026/03/the-th…

THE SAVIORS. A BURBS-esque paranoia spiral fueled by undertones of xenophobia. The relationship angle adds depth, and the film balances the serious and satire well, but a late twist feels ungainly in its timing and execution. #SXSW

KILL ME. A great hook for a film that balances a heartfelt look at mental illness with a thriller/comedy caper. #SXSW #SXSW2026