For cult film fanatics who revel in the best of the bizarre, the wait is finally over. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced its highly anticipated Midnight Madness lineup for 2024. This year’s program promises to be a thrilling journey through action, horror, shock, and fantasy cinema, featuring five world premieres among the ten titles. The Midnight Madness programme is presented by Intrepid Travel and will showcase its midnight premieres at the historic (and allegedly haunted) Royal Alexandra Theatre.

Demi Moore’s Triumphant Return
Leading the charge is the North American Premiere of Coralie Fargeat’s buzzy horror thriller The Substance, starring the legendary Demi Moore. This film marks a significant comeback for Moore, who dazzles in a role that perfectly aligns with the edgy and exhilarating spirit of Midnight Madness. Her performance in The Substance is already generating buzz, making it a must-watch for fans and critics alike.

The Beauty of TIFF
TIFF is renowned for its celebration of cinematic artistry, and the Midnight Madness programme is no exception. This beloved segment of the festival highlights the wild and eerie, from body horror to time travel, supernatural comedy to martial arts action, eccentric thrillers to provocative satire, and found footage to horror-themed punk rock. The ambiance of the Royal Alexandra Theatre at midnight, surrounded by like-minded fans, creates an unforgettable viewing experience where filmgoers face the unknown in the company of strangers.

The Remarkable Midnight Madness Lineup
This year’s Midnight Madness lineup is a testament to the festival’s commitment to showcasing the best in genre cinema. Notable alumni are making a return, including Joseph Kahn, who won the TIFF 2017 People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award, Timo Tjahjanto, who last attended in 2016, and Coralie Fargeat, whose debut feature premiered at TIFF in 2017. Each film promises a unique and electrifying experience, ensuring that there is something for every taste within the realm of the strange and surreal.

2024 Midnight Madness Programme (in alphabetical order):

Dead Mail (Joe DeBoer, Kyle McConaghy | USA)

Canadian Premiere
Sales Title
Dead Talents Society (John Hsu | Taiwan)

North American Premiere
Else (Thibault Emin | France/Belgium)

World Premiere
Sales Title
Escape from the 21st Century (Yang LI | China)

International Premiere
Sales Title
Friendship (Andrew DeYoung | USA)

World Premiere
Sales Title
Ick (Joseph Kahn | USA)

World Premiere
Sales Title
It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This (Rachel Kempf, Nick Toti | USA)

Canadian Premiere
Sales Title
The Gesuidouz (Kenichi Ugana | Japan)

World Premiere
Sales Title
The Shadow Strays (Timo Tjahjanto | Indonesia)

World Premiere
With such a diverse and dynamic lineup, the Midnight Madness programme continues to uphold its reputation as a hub for groundbreaking and genre-defining films. This year’s festival is set to be an extraordinary celebration of the avant-garde and the macabre, ensuring that TIFF remains at the forefront of international cinema.

For more details on the films and to watch Midnight Madness Lead Programmer Peter Kuplowsky’s terrifying summary, visit the TIFF website.

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