While Bouwer’s Gaia is occupied with the primordial problem of “man against nature,” Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King’s The Spine of Night tends to the Hobbesian “man versus man” conflict. One of the more zany entries in this year’s lineup, The Spine of Night is an animated splatter fantasy spread across all land and time. The film features the iconic voices of Richard E. Grant, Lucy Lawless, and Patton Oswalt. Set in a magical universe, a crew of heroes from different parts of time and space must work together to battle the dark forces plaguing the land. While predicated on Tolkienian fantasy and quest canon, don’t expect it to be any trip in the Shire. The Spine of Night is astounding in its violent execution. Keeping with the “return to gore” motif, characters are dismembered in the most gruesome of modes. Despite being animated, this is certainly not a film for the faint of heart. 

Just as bloody as the rest is Lee Haven Jones’ latest film The Feast. While playing out as an epic revenge-fantasy, The Feast takes a page from the greatest auteurs of Arthouse Cinema with its dark and disturbing characterization of the bourgeoisie. The Welsh film follows a young woman who serves at a dinner party in an upper-class home in the countryside. However, the guests are unaware that this is to be their last supper. Though this entry serves as more of the slow-burn on the list, it’s perfect for the pensive spectator. The haunting visuals and off-putting wide shots are not only stunning, but the film proves a mastery in psychological proximity. 

The last title to garner a lot of attention was the documentary Woodlands Dark & Days Bewitched. Rarely do we have a documentary turning heads in the horror section of any festival program, but Kier-La Janisse’s latest film broke the rule in 2021. Featuring an incredible array of horror experts, the film takes an in-depth look at the folk horror phenomenon. Woodlands Dark & Days Bewitched not only works to cover classic western favorites like Robin Hardy’s Wicker Man and Michael Reeves’ Witchfinder General, but it also looks at how this phenomenon has translated in other parts of the world as well. Spanning three hours and fourteen minutes, Kier-La Janisse takes viewers on a six-part journey delving into the genre’s foundations. 

While there’s still no news yet on when we can expect any physical events for South by Southwest, those interested can check out their official website https://www.sxsw.com for any upcoming news and dates. While there, you can also take a step inside the virtual world in which this year’s festival was hosted.