TIFF's Midnight Madness Lineup Includes Brian Mulroney Doc, a Variety of Horror Flicks
The lineup emphasizes escalating suspense and absurdity, with world premieres and first looks aimed at late-night audiences and Hollywood buyers.
- On Thursday, the Toronto International Film Festival announced its 2026 Midnight Madness lineup, featuring 10 genre films curated by Peter Kuplowsky. Screenings run September 10 to 20 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.
- Opening the section is Duncan Jones' sci-fi action film 'Rogue Trooper,' while Anna Biller's gothic horror 'The Face of Horror' closes the program. Eugene Kotlyarenko's 'Vintage Violence' and Joshua Giuliano's slasher 'River' complete the slate.
- Returning for a special screening on Friday, September 11, is the breakout hit 'Obsession,' which grossed nearly $500 million worldwide. Director Curry Barker and star Inde Navarrette will participate in an on-stage Dialogues conversation.
- The festival will also host a special screening of Na Hong-jin's sci-fi thriller 'Hope' on September 9. The film earned more than $32M at the South Korean box office, joining the diverse Midnight Madness program.
- Curator Peter Kuplowsky describes the selection as a celebration of bold, unconventional filmmaking spanning horror, action, and dark comedy. The section aims to replicate previous breakout successes by offering audiences a "primal genre experience" at 11:59 p.m. screenings.
15 Articles
15 Articles
TIFF Midnight Madness 2026 Includes 'Hope', 'Obsession' Replay
Last year, the TIFF Midnight Madness section made a big splash on the map with Focus Features’ mega $15M acquisition of Curry Barker’s Obsession which turned into the most successful film festival pick-up at the B.O. with close to half billion at the B.O., and this year the film festival is bringing back the pic for a reprise on Friday, Sept. 11. Barker and Obsession star Inde Navarette are sitting down for a Dialogues discussion at the John Ba…
Jane Levy & Jessica Rothe-Starring ‘River’ Opens TIFF 2026 Midnight Madness Genre Slate
The Toronto International Film Festival announced today its genre selections for the highly regarded Midnight Madness program, the fest’s signature series for the late-night crowd, and it opens with the highly anticipated River. River sees genre favorites Jane Levy (Evil Dead) and Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) plunged into a survival horror scenario. It follows three estranged siblings who reunite in their hometown after the death of their fa…
After the Year of ‘Obsession,’ TIFF’s 2026 Midnight Madness Lineup Promises a Scary-Good Bent Toward ‘Escalation’
It’s the question on everybody’s mind: will this year’s Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness introduce another “Obsession” level hit? The section’s beloved, long-time lead programmer Peter Kuplowsky is wondering the same thing. In a Zoom chat earlier this week, Kupowlsky acknowledged that big question before the words were even totally out of my mouth. He laughed as I asked, “How many times today are you going to be asked, ‘Wh…
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