Review(s) by: Kyle Wilson

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I had the opportunity to attend Panic Fest 2026, which takes place in Kansas City at Screenland Armour. Panic Fest offers both in-person and virtual attendance options, and since I now live several hours away from Missouri, I attended virtually. Although I missed some of the festival’s biggest premieres, such as Hokum and Obsession, there was still plenty to love about the virtual experience.

During the festival, I screened more than 100 feature films and short films. I was especially impressed by the diversity of the lineup, particularly the number of international films featured throughout the event. Below are my top recommendations to keep an eye on when they receive wider releases.

Short Films

1. It’s a Wonderful Night of the Living Dead

Directed by Johan Bell and Dan Bell, this short expertly combines footage from It’s a Wonderful Life and Night of the Living Dead into a brilliant horror comedy. As someone who loves both films individually, it was a lot of fun seeing them blended together so seamlessly to create such a unique story.

2. Shift

Directed by Lucca Vieira, Shift has several parallels to The Substance. The film follows a young woman searching for beauty who begins injecting a drug that allows her to reshape parts of her body to her liking. It features plenty of body horror along with a satisfying twist ending that leaves the audience wanting more. I would love to see this concept expanded into a feature-length film someday.

3. Wall Udder

Wall Udder is exactly what it sounds like: an udder mounted on a wall that dispenses milk. Directed by Alexandra Hayden, the film explores class dynamics within horror, as owning a Wall Udder is considered a status symbol among the wealthy. Some of the film’s most disturbing moments revolve around people drinking from it. Even now, the imagery from this short still sticks with me.

4. Trad and Meat

Both films explore the idea of the “traditional” housewife, and I couldn’t decide between them, so I included both.

Directed by Dave Bekerman, Trad follows an influencer who pivots into becoming a “tradwife” to help her family escape debt. Over time, the persona begins to consume her entirely. While parts of the story felt predictable, it remained entertaining throughout and delivered a strong ending.

Meat, directed by Michael Skanes, centers on a devoted housewife seeking revenge against her controlling husband. The film features impressive practical effects, and I especially loved its 1950s-inspired aesthetic.

5. Seance for the ‘Gram

Directed by Sam Schlenker, this short follows influencers who stage a fake séance, only for the consequences to become very real. I loved how authentic the characters and interactions felt throughout the film.

I also watched a feature film with a similar premise, Demonitize, in which influencers become trapped in a haunted house. Both films explored similar themes and were highly entertaining.

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Feature Films

1. Creature of the Pines

Directed by Chris Ruppert and Tyler Transue, this was easily my favorite film of the festival, and I’m hoping it receives a wide release so more people can experience it.

One of my favorite horror subgenres is found footage, and this film successfully captures some of the atmosphere and tension of The Blair Witch Project. The story takes place in Pine Hollow, a town where locals have mysteriously disappeared for years. Through interviews and firsthand accounts, the film builds a chilling mythology filled with strange sightings and unexplained events.

What I appreciated most was how the film explored multiple stories within Pine Hollow, helping it feel fresh rather than simply retreading familiar found-footage tropes. The sound design in the wooded sequences was especially effective. Packed with strong scares and an engaging story, this film should be a hit with horror and found footage fans alike.

2. Quiet After Supper

Directed by Bryan Mittlestadt, this film follows a serial killer living in Los Angeles. It offers a unique take on the “murder documentary” style, though it is entirely fictional.

I really enjoyed experiencing the story from the killer’s perspective as he reflected on his crimes through various objects kept around his home. Each artifact carried a deeply personal connection to both him and his victims. The ending was genuinely surprising, though my biggest critique is that I wanted even more stories about the victims themselves.

Mittlestadt delivers an excellent performance, bringing depth and complexity to a character who could have easily felt one-dimensional.

3. Debone

Directed by Lee Dae-han, Debone takes its time revealing the horror elements that ultimately define it as a Panic Fest entry, but the payoff is absolutely worth it.

The film follows Gyutark, who kills his abusive father at a young age and later ends up in prison. Along the way, the story explores the impact of small-town gossip and how people judge situations without fully understanding the truth.

By the film’s conclusion, Debone fully lives up to its title, delivering a brutal and unforgettable finale to an incredibly well-written story that horror fans are sure to appreciate.

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There is so much to love about Panic Fest as it enters its 14th year, and I already cannot wait to attend next year’s 15th anniversary celebration. It has become one of the premier horror film festivals in the country, previously screening Oscar-nominated films like The Ugly Stepsister alongside future cult horror favorites.

While dates for next year’s festival have not yet been announced, it will likely return sometime in April 2027. Keep an eye on the Panic Fest website and Screenland Armour social media for updates and announcements.

By Kyle Wilson