Horror films not only thrill people but also keep them on the edge of the seat. Thus, it is not surprising that films of this genre have been made in every language in the world and in every period.

Keeping in tune with this mass appeal for horror films, the 53rd edition of International Film Festival of India to be held at Panaji, Goa from November 20 to 28, will be presenting “Macabre Dreams”. This section has four newly released horror films which may haunt the film lovers even after leaving the movie screens.

Following films form part of the supernatural special package.

Night Siren

This 2022 film from Slovakia has been directed by Tereza Nvotova. The story of the film is about a young woman who returns to her native mountain village in search of answers about her troubled childhood. While uncovering these truths, ancient legends begin to invade modern reality, resulting in the villagers accusing her of witchcraft and murder.

The film unfolds in seven chapters and addresses the resurgence of ancient beliefs in modern-day Slovakia and how issues like misogyny, xenophobia, and mass hysteria continue to prevail in the modern world.

Huesera

From Peru comes this film which was made in 2022 and is directed and co-written by Mexican filmmaker Michelle Garza Cervera. The film stars Natalia Solián who essays the role of Valeria, a pregnant woman who finds herself threatened by occult forces. With motherhood upon her, Valeria can’t shake off heavy self-doubt and a pervasive dread, the latter stemming from visions of spider-like presences and other possibly supernatural threats.

Co-produced by Mexico and Peru, the film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival in June 2022 and won the Best New Narrative Director and Nora Ephron awards.

Venus

This supernatural horror film from Spain made in 2022 is set in an urban survival environment, with elements of modern witchery. Directed by Jaume Balagueró, it is a part of the six-part ‘The Fear Collection’ that Sony Pictures International Productions and Amazon Prime Video are jointly producing.

Inspired by the short story “The Dreams in the Witch House” by American writer H. P. Lovecraft the film begins when a ballet dancer steals a bag full of pills from the nightclub where she works. With the plan going awry, she is pursued by a gang of thugs and to escape them she takes refuge in her sister’s flat. However, that refuge has a threat far more powerful than the men who seek her.

Hatching

This 2022 from Finland and Sweden, is in Finnish and is a psychological horror film directed by Hanna Bergholm. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January this year and won the Grand Prix and the Prix du Jury Jeunes at the Gérardmer International Fantastic Film Festival.

The film’s protagonist is Tinja, a young gymnast who wants to please her mother who is obsessed with presenting the image of a perfect family to the world through her popular blog.

Tinja one day finds a mysterious egg, which she chooses to bring home and from it hatches a creature she names Alli who grows into a doppelgänger that acts upon Tinja’s repressed emotions.