KSanders writesSomething’s Out There: Reviews of “Family Portrait,” “Late Night with the Devil,” “Alien Island,” “Evil Does Not Exist,” “Raging Grace,” and “Carnal Sins”

by Kyle Sanders

Monsters, Aliens, and Satan--oh my! The Chicago International Film Festival certainly showcases a variety of powerful dramas and quirky comedies, but it also delights in serving up some chilling films perfect for Fright Nights and Midnight Movies.

It all stems from CIFF's "After Dark" Program, which I must say, I enjoy. It provides that wildly fun, spine-tingling escape to help cleanse my palate after getting bogged down by more serious cinema.

Not all of the films mentioned in this article were part of the After Dark Program, but still managed to creep me out juuuuuuuust enough to include. Read on, if you dare!

Family reunions can be hell, and it seems like the family in Family Portrait (U.S) might be living in one as well. Taking place on a bright and springy day disquieting enough for the likes of Ari Aster and David Lynch, this cinematic fever dream involves a family gathering that should be culminating with said portrait, if not for the disappearance of the family matriarch.

This film crawls right under your skin, especially with lines like "When are we going to take the picture?" taking on a whole new level of creepiness in the same vein as Marathon Man's "Is it safe?"

Family Portrait

Late Night With the Devil (U.S./UAE/Australia) takes place in America during the 1970s, a chaotic time in the country's history (but certainly not its last!) and during the heyday of one of the only pop cultural comforts available: late night television.

In order to defeat The Tonight Show's Johnny Carson in the ratings, Night Owls host Jack Delroy needs to pull out all the stops during Sweeps Week--like hosting a Halloween edition of his show that includes an exorcism. One part The Exorcist, one part The Blair Witch Project, this "found footage" film involves a rediscovered master tape recording of a "live TV event that shocked the nation." May the power of Christ compel their TV sponsors!

Late Night With the Devil

Speaking of television, Alien Island (Chile/Italy) plays a lot like an extended episode of Unsolved Mysteries. This documentary, shot in grainy black-and-white like an old sci-fi space flick, explores the notorious Friendship Island. There, supposedly an alien race existed and made contact with a handful of radio amateurs.

The events took place in 1984 (of all years) during Chile's military dictatorship, so the incidents have often been theorized as not-so-coincidental. But through cassette tape recordings that documented all of the conversations, you might question that theory. The truth is out there!

Alien Island

In Evil Does Not Exist (Japan), the small village of Harasawa is known for its pure, refreshing water--all the reason for a Tokyo company to build a glamping site for urbanites. The community, however, feels differently. Believing there's a compromise to make both parties happy, the company sends two representatives to spend a day with Takumi, the local handyman.

Things take a bizarre turn when they must help Takumi find his daughter Hana, who has wandered off into the ominous woods. This was more "eco-thriller" than a "scary woods story," but does include some disturbing imagery.

Evil Does Not Exist

The "Grace" of Raging Grace (U.K.) is the mischievous daughter of Joy, a Filipina woman who gets a too-good-to-be-true job as a caregiver for a wealthy English family. The problem is that Joy is an undocumented worker and hasn't disclosed to the homeowner that she has a daughter.

Of course, that's just one of the problems they'll face as they uncover a shocking secret in this gothic horror film. It's like a mix between Get Out and The Changeling with a dash of Psycho.

Raging Grace

In Carnal Sins (Argentina/France/Italy), gay teen Nino's reputation gets his family relocated to a deeply religious community--one that includes a mythic monster known as the "Almamula." The creature that is known to punish those who think or commit impure acts is supposedly the reason behind a recent teen's disappearance, and this intrigues Nino.

Disillusioned with his Catholic confirmation and preoccupied with his lust for a rugged handyman, Nino actively pursues the Almamula...but will he end up disappearing as well?

Carnal Sins

All of these strange visions seem to explore the idea of some evil entity "out there" waiting for us to come snooping around. From the uncaring woods of Family Portrait and Evil Does Not Exist to the monsters hiding in the forest (Carnal Sins) or within the TV static (Late Night With the Devil). Snooping around gets Joy into trouble in Raging Grace, and doing some better snooping would've helped the radio operators of Alien Island.

With the Halloween season upon us, the "After Dark" Program of the Chicago International Film Festival always provides us with treats!