Within horror, we are lucky enough to have so many subgenres to satisfy everyone's taste, but the one that has remained true to its word for decades now is the slasher. While some are groundbreaking and change the face of horror, others are dumb, silly, and simply exist to get teenage bums on cinema seats as they eagerly await a pair of boobs and a load of blood. Slasher films have always been something of a comfort watch for many, and among this year's eclectic FrightFest lineup, one that stood out from the crowd was the world premiere of Ritesh Gupta's The Red Mask.

The movie follows queer screenwriter Allina (Helena Howard) as she attempts to write a new Red Mask film. We see her and her partner, Claire (Kelli Garner), act out scenes and scenarios while discussing the struggle of sticking to what the audience knows versus trying to create something new and different. When two supposed Airbnb guests, Ryan (Jake Abel) and Claire (Kelli Warner), arrive unexpectedly, the decision to act out one final scenario turns into a murderous disaster.

Ritesh Gupta, along with co-writers Samantha Gurash and Patrick Robert Young, takes a leaf out of Wes Craven's meta-slasher world and creates something that feels like it has always belonged. The references to other horrors work really well, and as a result, there was never a moment where I rolled my eyes – we aren't spoon-fed the rules, only reminded of them in passing.

While it takes a good while for any kills to actually happen, when they do, they are immensely satisfying. There may not be many, but each on-screen kill is just as fun as the last, and that final kill will have you clapping and cheering at your screen. The acting across the board is excellent; each character is believable and, in many ways, relatable. Whether you're a die-hard slasher fan wanting justice for your favourite franchisee or simply a loved one there to support your partner, there's a little bit of each character in all of us.

Altogether, The Red Mask is a fantastic addition to the slasher world. It's an excellent ride from start to finish that will fully satisfy any fan of the subgenre, with interesting characters driving a simple yet compelling plot and kills that are blood-splattering fun. This is definitely one to keep an eye out for – and one that will be in heavy rotation when I need that comfort watch.

The Red Mask had its world premiere at FrightFest 2025 on 23 August