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“Within the realm known as limbo lies a mysterious space between life and death,” so reads an opening line of text in Stephon Stewart’s Psyche. Arriving in this space – and immediately having to escape from the uncomfortable delivery method of a sack – is Mara (Sarah Ritter), in the midst of a near-death experience which looks very much like turning into an actual death experience if she doesn’t meet the challenges about to be set. Assigned a vintage 1980s computer to assist her quest, Mara hauls her bygone tech sidekick around a variety of deserted landscapes in the hope that they will crack the code and find a portal out of this desolate place…

The opening minutes suggest that the tale will adopt the structure of a video game, with time limits to reach the exit point of various levels and a warning that Mara should think twice about...

Some films leave you baffled and the opener to FrightFest 2025, Psyche, is certainly one of those.

Without a doubt this strand of the Glasgow Film Festival very much has its own personality that delivers a unique cinema experience. Often that means FrightFest takes chances with its choices and sadly Psyche from Stephon Stewart is a gamble that does not pay off.

It’s ambitious in exploring the theme of the meaning of life as we follow Mara (Sarah Ritter), who is stuck in a state of limbo with only a retro 1980s computer acting as a guide on her quest.

It’s basically Hal 9000 but in the form of the classic Apple Macintosh and with shades of evil intentions. While Hal is unsettling, the computer in this becomes annoying where one character appears that’s very reminiscent of Clippy, the paperclip in Microsoft Word.

That window into the mind is...

Stephon Stewart’s Psyche is set to make its international theatrical debut as the opening night film at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Glasgow 2025, bringing a visually arresting and intellectually provocative experience to Europe’s leading genre film festival. With its fusion of metaphysical horror, existential philosophy, and sci-fi surrealism, Psyche promises to challenge audience perceptions of reality in a way few films dare.

The film, which stars Sarah Ritter in a powerhouse lead role, follows Mara, a woman trapped in a state of limbo during a near-death experience. Her only companion? A mysterious 1980s-era computer unearthed from the sands of time. As Mara pieces together cryptic clues from discarded memories, she embarks on a psychological odyssey that forces her to confront trauma, identity, and the nature of human consciousness itself.

Stewart, who wrote, directed, and produced the film, describes Psyche as “an immersive journey into the unknown” that challenges viewers to...

Be prepared for mayhem, menace and monstrosity as this year’s FrightFest three-day event, housed at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre, presents a curated programme of new features and shorts which showcases the vibrant mix of talented filmmakers currently bursting onto the genre scene. The programme includes four world premiere features, while the short film showcase – a regular fixture at Frightfest London taking place for the first time in Glasgow – highlights filmmakers exclusively from the UK and Ireland, including two from Scotland.

FrightFest kicks off in mind-bending style with a special screening of Psyche, directed by Stephon Stewart (Bigfoot County). This thought-provoking sci-fi thriller boasts a riveting performance by Sarah Ritter, as Mara, who, with the aid of a vintage 1980s computer, embarks on a surreal journey where nothing is as it seems. Stephen will be attending the screening.

FrightFest’s traditional two-day pass event kicks off on Friday 7 March...