The Grand Illusion

20th anniversary of the final film in Park Chan-wook's thematically-linked "Vengeance Trilogy", with special intros from film educator Hannah Baek before each screening.

Following 2002's SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE and 2003's OLDBOY, director Park Chan-wook gave us one last tale of revenge to cap off the series. After being wrongfully convicted of kidnapping and murdering a young child, a beautiful young woman (Lee Young-ae) is imprisoned for 13 years and forced to give up her own daughter. While in prison, she gains the respect and loyalty of her fellow cellmates, all the while plotting her vengeance on the man responsible (Choi Min-sik). Upon her release, she sets in motion an elaborate plan of retribution, but what she discovers is a truth so horrifying, even revenge doesn't seem punishment enough.

The theater is your living room for this trip back in time to the heyday of made-for-TV horror movies.

For this year's triple feature pizza party, we're broadcasting three chilling tales straight from 1970s and 80s network TV, when original horror movies haunted home television screens on a regular basis. The evening's program consists of a trio of lesser-known gems, featuring spine-tingling phone calls, paranoia, isolation, creepy kids, and a ghost or two. The titles are secret though, so you won't find out what frightening fables are in store for you until airtime.

Regular concessions will be available for purchase at the beginning of the transmission and throughout the night. The main course will arrive following the first feature. And in addition to satiating the more carnivorous appetites, we’ll have options for our vegetarian and vegan friends too. Plus, during intermissions, you’ll be treated to period-specific Halloween commercials to complete the experience… and one or two other surprises might be on the docket as well.

This month, the Grand Illusion and Scarecrow team up at Northwest Film Forum to bring you a free member screening of Lamberto Bava’s 1985 blood-thirsty thrill ride, DEMONS! Free for members, $10 at the door for non-members. Come see it if you dare!

Welcome to the most life-enriching Italian terror-party of 1985. Produced by Dario Argento (SUSPIRIA) and directed by Lamberto Bava, DEMONS follows a panorama of punks, preppies, and ne'er-do-wells as they get trapped in a movie theater and possessed by gut-shredding Satanic demonoids. Featuring songs by Mötley Crüe and Billy Idol, gloopy effects, and the iconic Geretta Geretta in a lead role, this is the most fun you'll ever have in a movie theater while watching a movie about beasties on the loose in a movie theater.

Become a Grand Illusion member here. Become a Scarecrow member here.

“DEMONS is a monument to the horror genre’s potential for Grand Guignol beauty.” Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine

Presented in partnership with our friends at Central Cinema!

Showcasing epic battles led by dashing heroes against an onslaught of human, monster, and supernatural enemies, DEATHSTALKER is the brainchild of director Steven Kostanski (THE VOID, PG: PSYCHO GOREMAN, FRANKIE FREAKO). A reimagining of Roger Corman’s cult sword-and-sorcery film series of the same name, this action fantasy adventure utilizes creature suits, prosthetic FX make-up, and stop-motion animation from Kostanski’s Action Pants FX shop.

The Kingdom of Abraxeon is under siege by the Dreadites, heralds of the long-dead sorcerer Nekromemnon. When Deathstalker recovers a cursed amulet from a corpse-strewn battlefield, he’s marked by dark magick and hunted by monstrous assassins. To survive, he must break the curse and face the rising evil. Death is just the beginning… of great adventure!

Executive produced by Guns N’ Roses’s Slash and starring seasoned stuntman and actor Daniel Bernhardt as Deathstalker and Patton Oswalt as the voice of Doodad.

“The fights are fun, the monsters are beautifully realized, and the sheer number of genre tropes this film packs into its 100 minutes is enough to make the most battleworn Dungeon Master drop their jaw… another midnight movie essential.” Matthew Jackson, AV Club

Tickets on sale October 17th, provided the forecast for the 24th looks promising.

20th anniversary of one of the most terrifying horror movies of the 21st century, shown outside in the dark!

After a personal tragedy, Sarah joins her friends on a caving expedition in the Appalachian Mountains. But when a rockfall traps them deep underground, their adventure turns into a nightmare. As they search for a way out, the group discovers they are not alone—lurking in the darkness are savage, cave-dwelling creatures. With rising tension and dwindling trust, the women must fight to survive against both the predators and each other.

Tickets are pay-what-you-will with a $5 minimum. All money from ticket sales will go to the Grand Illusion’s relocation fund. Please note that this movie is not appropriate for the young’uns.

The movie will start at approximately 7:30 pm, but be sure to come early to hang out and get great drinks and good food from the brewery. The fine folks at Dirty Couch will also be making wood-fired pizzas for purchase!

“Finally, a scary movie with teeth, not just blood and entrails — a savage and gripping piece of work that jangles your nerves without leaving your brain hanging.” Jim Emerson, RogerEbert.com

“The Descent sustains a level of intensity that most horror films can barely muster for five minutes.” Scott Tobias, AV Club

From the depths of space, Dracula has devised his most dastardly plan yet: turning the residents of the small town of Marlow into his personal army of vampire zombies! A motley crew consisting of a grizzled detective, a skeptical rookie cop, a chain-smoking greaser, and a determined young woman band together to save the world from… (see title).

Featuring appearances from Lloyd Kaufman, Judith O’Dea (Barbra in Night of the Living Dead), David Liebe Hart (Tim & Eric), and more.

Please note: Here-After is a 21 and over establishment. The entrance is via the alley in back of The Crocodile building. Get there early to order tasty beverages from the bar and delicious food from Tat’s Deli!

“What makes Michael Stasko’s Vampire Zombies…From Space! such a pleasant surprise is it’s not only the rare parody that’s actually funny but the even rarer one that takes chances at being original.” Andrew Kidd, High on Films

A double feature of horror movies by writer/director Jeremy Saulnier (BLUE RUIN, REBEL RIDGE).

First up, in Saulnier’s underseen and recently restored debut, MURDER PARTY, an average Joe loser named Chris finds an invitation to a costume party on Halloween Eve in Brooklyn. Arriving at the “party,” Chris discovers he’s fallen prey to a lethal trap set by deranged artists. As the night wears on, rivalries within the group flare up. A body count accrues, and Chris must take advantage of the ensuing chaos if he’s to survive the night.

Then, in GREEN ROOM, struggling punk band The Ain’t Rights get an unexpected booking at an isolated, run-down club in the backwoods of Oregon. After witnessing a terrible act of violence backstage, they find themselves facing off against the club’s depraved owner, setting the stage for an ultimate life-or-death showdown. Don’t miss your chance to catch this intense horror/thriller for its 10th anniversary in a building that houses multiple music venues (and is thankfully operated by FAR better people than those who run the venue in the movie).

Please note: Here-After is a 21 and over establishment. The entrance is via the alley in back of The Crocodile building. Get there early to order tasty beverages from the bar and delicious food from Tat’s Deli!

“[MurderParty is] the best horror movie you never saw… deserves to be included in your annual Halloween marathons.” Cody Hamman, JoBlo

“Green Room is a smart, sick and suspenseful thriller that is perfect for a night out with friends.” Kristy Puchko, Pajiba

A very special presentation! Born out of novelties, toys, and camera tricks, early filmmakers formulated the first horror cinema in the nickelodeons. THE BIRTH OF HORROR presents a global survey of monsters, goblins, and things that go bump in the night, from the first screen conception of Frankenstein, to early home invasions and escaped psychos!

These films are presented by Portland’s Church of Film with atmospheric original soundtracks by Seattle’s Hexafoils—meticulously constructed horrorscapes crafted from synthesizers and foley design. A project years in the making!

The Sprocket Society presents mad doctors, monsters, and dungeons galore in a secret seance of shivers, all on 16mm film!

You’ll be dragged screaming back to the classic horror era when you dare to enter our cinematic charnel house of gruesome shocks! Boris, Bela, and all the gravest mon-stars will tickle your spine with terror in this cortège of spooky shorts plus a scary secret feature!

Gasp with sadistic glee at the full-length horrifying tale of a deranged surgeon and supercreep mutilating his captive henchman in a psychotic plot of vengeful lust! See the “complete” (ish) Frankenstein saga in less than an hour with abridged digests of the original movies, a corpus delicious stitched together from all the best parts! Plus: 1950s Abbott & Costello TV skits with monsters, and still more 16mm surprises from our crypt!

Your ecstatic exsanguination will have you jumping for jolts at this ghoulish gathering of ‘30s and ‘40s frights! Step inside…the Secret Vault of Torment!

From original reviews of our secret feature:

“Should click with patrons who go for the bizarre stuff.” The Film Daily

“An orgy of sadism…cruelty for cruelty’s sake.” London Telegraph

Nothing is as it seems when filmmaker Emily Wyland (Brittany O’Grady) teams up with cinematographer Danny (E. J. Bonilla) to shoot an intimate documentary about reuniting with Emily’s estranged mother after a decade apart. When her mother suddenly goes missing, possibly succumbing to the addictions that first tore her family apart, Emily and Danny must piece together increasingly sinister clues to find her before it’s too late.

Directed by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Pedro Kos (Rebel Hearts, Lead Me Home) in his first narrative feature, IN OUR BLOOD masterfully blends psychological mystery with chilling horror. The film weaves a twisted tale of reconciling with the ghosts of our past and confronting the complicity we share in creating a world that preys on the most vulnerable.

Please note: Here-After is a 21 and over establishment. The entrance is via the alley in back of The Crocodile building. Get there early to order tasty beverages from the bar and delicious food from Tat’s Deli!

“…offers a fresh take on the found footage subgenre… The film defies any and all expectations, wrapping itself in the visual language of documentary filmmaking before cannibalizing itself in intriguing and incisive ways.” Chase Hutchinson, Collider

“With his expertise in the documentary format and a smart script by Mallory Westfall, [director] Kos is able to craft an emotionally affecting story while also making use of genre tropes when you least expect them.” Mary Beth McAndrews, Dread Central

Twenty years ago, irreverent Japanese genre wizard Shinya Tsukamoto (TETSUO: THE IRON MAN) wrote, directed, and starred in the truly frightening, claustrophobic experience known as HAZE.

A man awakes to find himself trapped in a dirty, confined crawlspace. He barely has enough room to move. He also has no memory of why he’s there, or why he’s bleeding from a stomach wound. Apparently drugged, he occasionally ‘zones out’ of his surroundings as he tries to edge his way towards freedom. But the more he explores, the more pain he has to endure, and the more frightening his predicament becomes.

In Japanese with English subtitles.

“…packed with tense atmosphere and wonderful sound design.” Niina Doherty, HorrorNews.net

“Many directors would no doubt take a god’s-eye perspective of Haze’s hero, but Tsukamoto favors an intimate camera style that offsets the genre film sturm und drang and grounds his movie in a terrifyingly mortal perspective.” Keith Uhlich, Slant

Tina Romero’s directorial debut is a riotous blend of horror and comedy, infused with queer sensibilities and sharp social commentary. With standout performances from Katy O’Brian, Jaquel Spivey, and Margaret Cho, QUEENS OF THE DEAD delivers a fresh take on the zombie genre, celebrating community and transformation amidst the chaos.

On the night of a colossal warehouse drag show in Brooklyn, a zombie apocalypse erupts, transforming the venue into a battlefield. A diverse group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies must set aside their personal dramas and unite to combat the brain-hungry undead. As the night unfolds, they discover that survival requires more than just flamboyance—it demands resilience, unity, and a touch of glitter.

“It is legitimately exciting that there is another Romero picking up the torch of horror film… Not only is [Queens of the Dead] an unabashed zombie film, it also nods to her father’s films and legacy, along with plenty of other pop culture ephemera.” Deirdre Crimmins, Rue Morgue

Inspiring work of passionate filmmaking or bloated vanity project? Or perhaps something in-between? Released just over a year ago, Francis Ford Coppola's MEGALOPOLIS caused much debate among people who love movies. Not available to stream and without a physical release in North America, one of the only ways to see Coppola's long-gestating epic is in a theater, the way the legendary director intended.

Genius artist Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) seeks to leap the City of New Rome into a utopian, idealistic future, while his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.

“Megalopolis is exactly what movies can and should be—unflinchingly earnest.” Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com

“Megalopolis might be the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy every single batshit second of it.” Bilge Ebiri, Vulture

A raw, fly-on-the-wall documentary about Francis Ford Coppola’s decades-long journey in creating his self-financed passion project, MEGALOPOLIS. The bold and unrelenting epic returns in Mike Figgis’s portrait of Coppola’s creative process – weaving together archival material, unfiltered cast interviews, and a close-up view of how the legendary filmmaker drew from Roman history, political allegory, and his own singular vision to shape the world of Megalopolis. This isn’t a record of a production on the brink, it’s a personal memoir unfolding in real time.

Critic’s Pick! “Well worth watching not only for Coppola completists, but also because it offers an instructive peek at what it takes — logistically, financially, temperamentally and philosophically — to follow your muse without bowing to the demands of American industrial cinema.” Manohla Dargis, New York Times

“If you love movies and you’re interested in behind-the-scenes movies, this is as cool as they get.” Sean Fennessey, The Big Picture

4/4 stars! “Watching Coppola land on his head and then pick himself back up again and point himself at another brick wall is ultimately strangely inspiring.” Glenn Kenny, RogerEbert.com

Part 1: My log has a message for you.

Part 2: The stars turn and a time presents itself.

Part 3: Call for help.

Part 4: ...brings back some memories.

Part 5: Case files.

Part 6: Don’t die.

Part 7: There's a body all right.

Part 8: Gotta light?

Part 9: This is the chair.

Part 10: Laura is the one.

Part 11: There’s fire where you are going.

Part 12: Let’s rock.

An X-Rated descent into demented comedy and maniacal horror, as a desperate mother drags an innocent stranger into an absurd, filthy nightmare beyond comprehension. An unflinchingly loyal adaptation of transgressive artist Johnny Ryan’s joyfully disgusting comic book. Adults only.

Only in theaters, never streaming! Official selection: TIFF, Fantastic Fest, Beyond Fest

Writer/director Todd Rohal in attendance for Q&As after each screening!

Exclusive Nude Blok/Perv-o-Vision reversible glasses will be for sale at the door (while supplies last).

Part 13: What story is that, Charlie?

Part 14: We are like The Dreamer.

Part 15: There’s some fear in letting go.

Part 16: No knock, no doorbell.

Part 17: The past dictates the future.

Part 18: What is your name?