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Genre Films 2026: The Vintage Tempest’s Must-See Sizzling Summer Blockbuster Picks (Part Two)

From horror revivals to mythic epics and thoughtful sci-fi, genre films 2026 are shaping up to be a strong cinematic year. These are the titles worth paying attention to, not just for spectacle, but for what they suggest about where genre cinema is heading.

With Spider-Man: Brand New Day positioned as the number one film most geeks have been anxiously wanting for, this work is carrying a lot of weight for the latter half of genre films 2026. That’s because of that cliffhanger, which now feels like a distant memory. After the pandemic and the writer’s strike, let’s hope the wait is worth it. More can be read below.

Whether the summer blockbuster season truly delivers comes down to two things: anticipation and the hope these films live up to expectations. That also includes the animated Into the Spider-Verse films, where the finale has been delayed. The third film is scheduled to be released on June 18, 2027. When the season is often dominated by superhero films, ’tis easier to swing with it rather than not.

On the DC front, Supergirl looks set to shape what comes next in this rebuilt universe, offering a clearer sense of direction than we’ve seen in some time. There’s also a growing buzz around Jason Momoa finally stepping into the role he seems born to play: Lobo. The conversation is there; the prospect is building, and as the year moves into its second half, the genre slate feels increasingly charged.

Supergirl

Release: June 26, 2026

This new take on Kara Zor-El immediately distinguishes itself by rejecting idealism. Jaded, reluctant, and uninterested in hero worship, this Supergirl doesn’t want the mantle she’s expected to wear. That resistance makes for a stronger introduction, allowing the character to be defined on her own terms rather than by legacy expectations. It’s a refreshing reset that suggests a more character-driven direction for this corner of the universe.

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Genre Films 2026: The Vintage Tempest’s Must-See Picks (Part One)

This new year looks strong, with a wide variety of genre films 2026 has lined up for cinemas. While superhero stories remain a constant presence, I find myself leaning more toward myth and horror this time around. Part of that curiosity is simple: Zendaya as Athena? That alone is worth paying attention to. She has the statuesque presence to sell the role, even if I still can’t quite shake the memory of Clash of the Titans (the original) from my head.

If anything, 2026 may end up being remembered as the year horror truly reasserted itself, not as a niche option, but as a dominant creative force across genre filmmaking.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Release: January 16, 2026

The next chapter in the 28 Days Later lineage pushes the Rage Virus mythology decades forward. The title alone suggests ritual, ruins, and a symbolic stronghold shaped by prolonged collapse. Expect a harsher, more feral world than earlier entries, with humanity no longer clinging to recovery but fundamentally altered. Early signals point toward a bleak, political, and intensely physical continuation that understands the franchise’s roots rather than softening them.

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A Mad Cave Holiday and Pulpy Graphic Novel Gift Guide

Mad Cave Studios has quietly become a powerhouse for pulpy, character-driven comics, from classic heroes like Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Dick Tracy to modern favourites like Nottingham, Hound, and The Last Session. This pulpy graphic novel gift guide rounds up their best bets for holiday reading.

Mad Cave Santa Hat Pulpy Graphic Novel Gift Guide Anyone noticing a recurring theme in this pulpy graphic novel gift guide of this publisher’s works isn’t wrong. We love our golden age heroes! Without them, we wouldn’t have many of the blockbuster films and pop-culture icons we adore today. Their fingerprints are everywhere, and the fact that classic tropes still thrive on the big screen says a lot about their staying power. And who knows—maybe these stories will inspire a new generation of readers too.

Here’s a look at the best of the best, including some recent releases:

Defenders of the Earth

Originally an animated television series from 1986, this property endures because of its powerhouse team-up of heroes past and present—Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Mandrake’s assistant Lothar—facing off against Ming the Merciless in the far-off future of 2015. Although that was a decade ago in our reality, the series stands the test of time. The complete series home video release is still in print (Amazon link).

Reading this work is a guilty pleasure, and while some knowledge of the series is helpful, the way this collection recaps events is quite decent. Not only has Mad Cave republished the original run of comic books, they also have an ongoing series. The result is a delightful blend of retro charm and modern sensibility. Coming soon is Dark Destiny, which continues the adventures!

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A Nerd’s Guide to the 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival

The 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival is less than a month away! And we got our guide on what to see.

The 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival guide is out, and it looks amazing compared to prior years! That’s because the lineup includes a piece from Steven Kostanski. Without him, I would not be planning a trip to the mainland to see this film! While this event rarely offers a proper Midnight Madness mini-festival within, this year looks like it may well be a star. Let’s hope so, because who doesn’t want a bit of terror this Autumn season?

The following are my top ten picks:

Arco

Dir. Ugo Bienvenu

Chasing a rainbow through the woods, Iris encounters Arco, a boy who has stolen a time-travelling suit from his scientist parents and crash-landed in 2075. This charming animated fantasy blends futuristic adventure with heartfelt storytelling, offering a visually inventive world that appeals to all ages.

Bienvenu’s work has always blurred the line between retro charm and forward-thinking sci-fi, making this a must-see for animation enthusiasts.

Deathstalker

Dir. Steven Kostanski
(read our interview with him here)

As the Dreadite horde cuts a path of destruction across the land, one man wields the power to rid the world of their evil — Deathstalker, a relentless and courageous hero. FX master Steven Kostanski conjures a bloody, entertaining hack-and-slash adventure, brimming with over-the-top action and dark humour. This reboot of the original film from _ is sure to please, and with this creative mind behind the production, it’s sure to be bloody! And for those unable to visit Vancouver for this cult classic, Shout! Studios will release it Oct 10th, 2025.

With Kostanski steering the gore and fun, this could very well be the new gold standard for fantasy revivals.

Dead Lover

Dir. Grace Glowicki
Dead Lover 2025 Indie Horror Romance Movie Poster by Grace Glowicki at VIFF

A foul-smelling gravedigger’s romance ends in tragedy, prompting her to attempt resurrection through a series of madcap scientific experiments. Glowicki and Ben Petrie inject zany, DIY horror energy into this modern twist on Mary Shelley’s classic themes of love, loss, and reanimation.

Glowicki’s quirky, hands-on aesthetic makes this one to watch for fans of experimental Canadian cinema.

Foreigner

Dir. Ava Maria Safai
(Read our movie review here)
Foreigner 2025 Canadian Coming-of-Age Horror Movie Poster by Ava Maria Safai at VIFF

An Iranian teenager who recently immigrated to Canada struggles to fit in at her new high school. Pressured to conform, she unintentionally unleashes a demonic force rooted within her. This darkly humorous coming-of-age horror explores identity, cultural tension, and the supernatural in clever, unsettling ways. By weaving cultural anxieties with supernatural dread, this film echoes the grounded terror of early Cronenberg.

Dracula

Dir. Radu Jude
Dracula 2025 Satirical Horror Comedy Movie Poster by Radu Jude at VIFF

A bawdy deconstruction of Romania’s most notorious legend, Radu Jude’s Dracula parodies the use of AI in filmmaking while delivering a cinematic feast of irreverent humour. The film is a multi-layered, genre-bending experience with six interwoven narratives designed to amuse and provoke.
Jude’s fearless satire might make this the most divisive entry of the festival — and that’s exactly why it belongs here.

Honey Bunch

Dir. Madeleine Sims-Fewer & Dusty Mancinelli
Honey Bunch 2025 Psychological Horror Drama Poster by Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli at VIFF

After awakening from a coma with memory loss, Diane is taken to an experimental treatment centre in the wilderness by her husband, Homer. As visions of past trauma surface, Diane slowly uncovers dark truths about her marriage in this tense psychological drama that blends horror, mystery, and emotional depth. Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli excel at intimate, unsettling character studies — expect this one to linger long after the credits.

Nirvanna the Band
the Show the Movie

Nirvanna the Band The Show The Movie 2025 Canadian Meta-Comedy Poster at VIFF

Two eccentric dreamers experience a freak accident that propels them back to 2008. Their inadvertent meddling wreaks havoc on the timeline, unleashing a riot of pop culture references, copyright-defying antics, and surreal gags. The result is a wildly inventive, meta-comedic journey through nostalgia and absurdity. Expect this to be a fan-service riot for those who followed the original cult TV series — and a trip for newcomers, too.

OBEX

Dir. Albert Birney
OBEX 2025 Retro Video Game Fantasy Lo-Fi Horror Poster by Albert Birney at VIFF

A computer nerd finds himself transported into a video game fantasy world when his dog is taken by the evil demon Ixaroth. Birney’s lo-fi adventure fuses analog horror with RPG mechanics, creating a nostalgic, black-and-white vaporwave aesthetic that celebrates retro gaming and DIY ingenuity.

This project feels like a love letter to gamers who spent nights with VHS rentals and pixelated screens.

Memory of Princess Mumbi

Dir. Damien Hauser
Memory of Princess Mumbi 2025 Afro-Futurist Speculative Film Poster by Damien Hauser at VIFF

Can a filmmaker depict the future without AI? Damien Hauser crafts an Afro-speculative fable set in a resurrected African kingdom, blending romance, war, and epic storytelling. A micro-budget yet ambitious cinematic experiment, the film is fueled by digital innovation, imaginative visuals, and deep emotional resonance.

This feature could be the sleeper hit of the festival, showing how vision and creativity can eclipse budgetary limits.

Resurrection

Resurrection 2025 Surreal Fantasy Dreamscape Film Poster at VIFF

In a fractured reality where humanity has lost its ability to dream, a Fantasmer becomes a puckish outlier, slipping into the dreamworld and reincarnating across a century. Each rebirth unfolds within a different film genre, offering a kaleidoscopic exploration of imagination, memory, and the enduring human desire to create.

Expect cinephiles to adore this genre-shifting ride — it’s practically a love letter to film history itself.

Sizzle Reel for the
2025 Vancouver International Film Festival

Top 10 Nerdy Must-See Picks of Vancouver Fringe Festival 2025

From immersive experiments to meta-theatre and surreal solarpunk visuals, these picks are a geek’s ideal ticket to the Vancouver Fringe Festival 2025.

Vancouver Fringe Festival 2025 Runs Sept 4 to 14th, 2025.

Not many acts from the Victoria Fringe Festival are heading to Vancouver Fringe Festival 2025, but that’s no reason to skip it! When most live theatre acts examine the “game of life,” letting us explore the human condition through the safe lens of an observer, what’s presented are often eye-opening in more ways than one!

Solo shows, a hallmark of Fringe, make this exchange especially powerful—raw, intimate, and deeply personal. Unlike film, which often leans on escapism, Fringe thrives on honesty. Other forms of theatre will vary, but ultimately, when we can connect with the story, the meaning isn’t hidden; it’s right in front of us, asking us to feel, reflect, and engage.

Over the years, I’ve seen countless performances that deserve standing ovations. Many artists return with fresh material or clever twists on familiar acts, and that’s part of what keeps me coming back. Although one performer missed the lottery for my local Fringe, he’s thankfully back at Terminal City. This individual has consistently stood out, earning a spot in my top ten yet again. I won’t reveal their name just yet, but longtime readers may already recognize the work—newcomers will have fun seeing if they can guess who it is.

This year’s picks are presented in alphabetical order. These links go to ticket purchases and showtimes.

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A Nerds’s Guide to the 2025 Victoria Fringe Festival

We offer our top ten picks on what to see at the 2025 Victoria Fringe Festival, and they span a wide range that includes comedy, burlesque and sci-fi!

The 2025 Victoria Fringe Festival will soon take over the Garden City and while I’m divided since it’s the start of Ghost Month, I’ll handle both in my own super and natural way. This year’s lineup promises a fantastic mix of comedy, drama, sci-fi, and musicals from both local and touring artists. To help you navigate the packed schedule, I’ve put together a list of must-see picks that cover everything from improvised Shakespeare to a musical about Rapunzel and a drag sci-fi show. Whether you’re looking for something spooky, silly, or seriously thought-provoking, this guide has you covered.

20 QUESTIONS

HINOX/TY WESLEY Victoria, BC
Created by: Hinox/Ty Wesley

Two paranormal investigators try to save their jobs until an annoying mysterious entity comes along and lures them into playing a game to save them from their ‘horrible fate’. Can they save themselves before their first date?

Showtimes: August 22 at 7:30 pm, August 31 at 5:00 pm.

THE DISNEY DELUSION

LEIF OLESON-CORMACK Edmonton, AB
Written by: Leif Oleson-Cormack

A hit at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe, this (unfortunately) true story follows a disastrous Disneyland trip that spirals into crime, delusion, and chaos on the night of the 2008 US election—featuring sinister sugar daddies, Sinatra impersonators, and a LOT of magical thinking along the way.

Showtimes: August 27 at 6:00 pm, August 28 at 7:15 pm, August 29 at 5:30 pm, August 30 at 12:00 pm, August 31 at 4:15 pm.

ESCAPE FROM VICTORIA

TAMLYNN BRYSON Toronto, ON
Created by: Tamlynn Bryson & Rod Peter Jr.

It’s 1997, the future. Snake must clear his name and save Canada! The Canadian comedy hit of 2024 finally comes to Victoria.

Show Dates: August 20-31, 2025. Specific showtimes are not yet listed.

JUICY WOO-WOO!

SOBOLTALK Burritt Rapids, ON
Created by: John Sobol

Juicy Woo-Woo! – the UFO Cabaret – features funky saxman and high-octane action poet John Sobol in a dazzling one-man show that offers a cogent and mind-expanding recap of the latest stunning developments in the weird and wild realm of UFOs.

Showtimes: August 21 at 7:45 pm, August 22 at 6:00 pm, August 23 at 3:15 pm & 2:00 pm, August 26 at 8:00 pm.

KIN

BECOMING THEATER Victoria, BC
Created by: Andrew Sawyer

An original musical based on the story of Rapunzel. When she learns she isn’t who she thought she is, Rapunzel travels down into the magical forest below her tower to find her name.

Showtimes: August 21 at 8:00 pm, August 27 at 8:00 pm, August 28 at 8:00 pm.

ORIGINS OF THE COAST

ALECTORIA PRODUCTIONS Victoria, BC
Created by: Alectoria Productions

The creatures that live in those hidden places all around us have crawled out of the ocean and the forest and the mountains to speak with you at Macauley Point. They have been here since time began, and they are ready to share their story.

Show Dates: August 20-31, 2025. Specific showtimes are not yet listed.

POPURRÍ

PLASTIK THEATRIK Victoria, BC
Created by: Lore Andrea

From the nightmarish visions of an outcast Latina comes this surreal collection of short vignettes blended together with a whimsical and eerie flavour.

Show Dates: August 20-31, 2025. Specific showtimes are not yet listed.

RUBY’S POP UP PEEPSHOW

RUBY ENTERTAINMENTS AND EVENTS Victoria, BC
Created by: Ruby a.k.a Sarah Smith

By donation at the venue. People are pleasure! Doomsday got you down? Practice “radical joy” with us! Our travelling carnival-style entertainment has body-positive vibes. A community of celebration, with performances in the Pop Up circus caravan, accompanied by novel elements like popcorn, games, and prizes. It’s go-go on the go!

SPACE QUEEN

DRAG SUNDAY PRODUCTIONS Victoria, BC
Created by: Aaron Nickol/Shelita Cox

What do you do when the stories you needed growing up didn’t exist? This one-person sci-fi drag musical is a love letter to the queer futures we dream of, and a fight song for the histories we’ve lost. Sequins. Synths. And outer space.