The SXSW Film Festival 2025 is almost upon us, and genre fans are in for an exciting lineup of films that promise to offer thrills, chills, and thought-provoking narratives.
From mind-bending sci-fi to spine-tingling horror and tense psychological thrillers, this year’s selections cover a wide spectrum of genres. While we have yet to see the films, the premises alone, along with the talented directors and cast involved, suggest that these movies are are the ones to keep an eye out for. so, without further ado, here are CinemaChords’ most anticipated genre films heading to this year’s SXSW, all of which promise fresh takes on well-worn tropes, deep emotional hooks, and plenty of twists and turns, making them must-see entries at this year’s festival.
1. Ash
Director: Flying Lotus
Principal cast: Eiza González, Aaron Paul
What it’s about: On the mysterious planet of Ash, Riya (González) awakens to find her crew slaughtered. When a man named Brion (Paul) arrives to rescue her, an ordeal of psychological and physical terror ensues as the two must decide if they can trust one another to survive.
Why so much anticipation?
With Flying Lotus at the helm, Ash promises to be a visually stunning and deeply immersive experience. Known for his innovative approach to blending music and visuals, Flying Lotus’ directorial debut is poised to take audiences on a psychological journey through a dark, otherworldly landscape. Set in the vast isolation of space, the film’s eerie premise suggests a growing sense of claustrophobia and paranoia that is sure to keep viewers on edge. Aaron Paul and Eiza González will likely deliver a dynamic and intense performance as they face off against the unknown, keeping us captivated as they struggle to survive in this hostile environment.
Ash will release exclusively in theaters on March 21, 2025
2. Descendent
Director: Peter Cilella
Principal cast: Ross Marquand, Sarah Bolger, Susan Wilder
What it’s about: Sean Bruner, an elementary school security guard, grapples with past trauma and preps for the birth of his first child. After a beam of light appears during a late-night shift, Sean finds himself plagued by unsettling visions of extraterrestrials and desert landscapes, blurring the line between dreams and reality.
Why so much anticipation?
Descendent’s intriguing premise blends psychological drama with an alien mystery, offering the potential for a deep, unsettling exploration of the human psyche. Ross Marquand, known for his work in “The Walking Dead,” is likely to bring emotional depth to his troubled character, while the premise itself suggests a slow burn that will keep audiences guessing. Also Peter Cilella’s direction is bound to elevate the tension, combining grounded emotional stakes with the uncanny.
3. Together
Director: Michael Shanks
Principal cast: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman
What it’s about: Tim and Millie, a couple moving to the country, find themselves at a crossroads in their relationship. But their troubles escalate when a nightmarish, unnatural force threatens to destroy their lives.
Why so much anticipation?
The pairing of Dave Franco and Alison Brie, who are married in real life, adds an authentic, emotional layer to the film, which could make their characters’ unraveling all the more compelling. Michael Shanks’ directorial vision for Together could deliver a truly chilling take on relationship horror, with emotional tension bleeding into supernatural terror. The added intrigue of an “unnatural force” promises a disturbing blend of existential dread and physical horror.
4. Clown In A Cornfield
Director: Eli Craig
Principal cast: Katie Douglas, Will Sasso, Cassandra Potenza
What it’s about: Quinn and her father move to the town of Kettle Springs, where they find a fractured community. When a sinister clown emerges from the cornfields, it begins “cleansing” the town, one bloody victim at a time.
Why so much anticipation?
A mix of small-town horror and slasher thrills, Clown In A Cornfield is adapted from the first book in Adam Cesare’s franchise of the same name. The film offers a classic blend of the creepy and the absurd, with Eli Craig—known for his work on Tucker & Dale vs. Evil—at the helm. Craig has a remarkable talent for mixing humor with horror, and this film is sure to deliver a tense, darkly comedic experience. The clown, a quintessential figure in horror, serves as the perfect antagonist to bring terror to life. With a town teetering on the edge of chaos, Clown In A Cornfield has all the ingredients for gory thrills and sharp social commentary, making it a film to watch out for.
5. We Bury The Dead
Director: Zak Hilditch
Principal cast: Daisy Ridley, Brenton Thwaites
What it’s about: After a military experiment devastates Tasmania, Ava (Ridley) joins a body retrieval unit. When the dead she buries begin to show signs of life, she embarks on a journey to find her missing husband while confronting the undead.
Why so much anticipation?
Zak Hilditch has shown a talent for emotional storytelling in films like 1922 and These Final Hours, and We Bury The Dead promises to be a gripping mix of emotional depth and supernatural horror. Daisy Ridley’s involvement, following her iconic Star Wars role, adds star power, and the premise promises a chilling exploration of grief, survival, and the uncanny, which could give this film a unique emotional hook alongside its horror elements.
6. The Astronaut
Director: Jess Varley
Principal cast: Kate Mara, Laurence Fishburne, Gabriel Luna
What it’s about: After returning from her first space mission, astronaut Sam Walker experiences strange occurrences around her NASA rehabilitation home. She fears that something extraterrestrial may have followed her back to Earth.
Why so much anticipation?
Jess Varley’s The Astronaut promises to be a captivating psychological thriller infused with science fiction elements, poised to explore the complexities of the human psyche in the face of the unknown. With an accomplished cast, including Kate Mara and Laurence Fishburne, the film is set to deliver both nuanced performances and an unsettling atmosphere. The central conceit—an astronaut grappling with the lingering presence of extraterrestrial forces following her return to Earth—introduces a fascinating layer of mystery, while the film’s potential for tension and paranoia suggests an experience that will keep audiences at the precipice of suspense.
7. Mermaid
Director: Tyler Cornack
Principal cast: Johnny Pemberton, Avery Potemri, Kevin Nealon
What it’s about: Doug, a Florida drug addict, finds an injured mermaid in the Gulf and nurses her back to health. As their bond grows, Doug is forced to protect her when others learn of her existence.
Why so much anticipation?
Mermaid’s quirky premise mixes dark comedy with fantasy, and its offbeat approach is likely to appeal to fans of unconventional narratives. The idea of an ordinary man finding an extraordinary creature offers plenty of opportunities for humor and absurdity, with potential for both heart and horror. With a unique take on the mermaid mythos, the film promises a bizarre and entertaining ride.
8. Good Boy
Director: Ben Leonberg
Principal cast: Indy, Shane Jensen, Larry Fessenden
What it’s about: Indy, a family dog, must protect his owner Todd from malevolent forces haunting their new home. As Todd succumbs to the dark presence, Indy must fight to save him.
Why so much anticipation?
The premise of a haunted house film told from a dog’s perspective is a fresh take on the genre, offering both emotional weight and supernatural thrills. The film’s potential to tug at the heartstrings while delivering eerie scares is what makes Good Boy stand out. As an innovative genre twist, it’s sure to offer something new for horror fans, especially those who love animals as much as they love a good scare.
The full SXSW schedule can be consulted here.
