SXSW 2026 adds even more horror programming, including Buddy and Hokum

The South by Southwest Film Festival already announced several horror films that will premiere next month in Austin, Texas, including Ready or Not 2 and They Will Kill You. This week, the festival released its second wave of programming. Good news, horror fans! The festival is adding even more genre movies, including Hokum, by Oddity director Damien McCarthy, and the Sundance Midnight favorite Buddy.

The festival takes place from March 12-18 in person. Here's a breakdown of the additional horror movies that were just added to the prestigious festival.

Headliner

Pretty Lethal (UK)

Director: Vicky Jewson, Screenwriter: Kate Freund

This movie is described as an "action-packed thriller" where five ballerinas are stranded in a remote forest. They take shelter at an unsettling and creepy roadside inn. There, they weaponize years of rigorous and brutal training, utilizing their pointe shoes for survival. The cast includes Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika, Maddie Ziegler, and Uma Thurman.

Midnighter

Hokum (Ireland, U.S.)

Writer/director: Damien McCarthy

Damien McCarthy's third film is about a horror novelist named Ohm Bauman who retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents' ashes. Once there, he's consumed by tales of a witch that haunts the area. A sudden shocking disappearance, coupled with disturbing visions, force him to confront his past.

The cast includes Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Will O'Donnell, Michael Patric, Siox C, and Brendan Conroy.

Narrative Spotlight

Chill Finger

Director: Edd Benda, Screenwriter: Stephen Helstad

Well, this one certainly sounds interesting. A small-town lawyer discovers a severed finger in her chili and then blackmails the restaurant for a cash payout. She does this as a means to regain control of her mundane life. Suddenly, the situation spirals out of her control, and instead of controlling her life, it descends into chaos.

The cast features Judy Greer, Sean Astin, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Paul Stanko, Madeline Wise, and Sarah Herrman. That's quite the line-up.

Kill Me

Writer/director: Peter Warren

This one sounds like it could be a horror comedy, or maybe a thriller/comedy. The synopsis states that Jimmy didn't try to kill himself, or at least he thinks he didn't. Assisted by the help of a 911 operated, he sets out to solve whether or not he's being stalked by a killer or chasing himself.

The movie stars Charlie Day, Allison Williams, Giancario Esposito, Aya Cash, and Jessica Harper.

Normal

Director: Ben Wheatley, Screenwriter: Derek Kolstad

I'm intrigued by Normal because it finds Ben Wheatley teaming up with John Wick creator Derek Kolstad. In their film, a sheriff is pitted against his constituents when the small town's sordid secret is exposed, igniting a firefight.

The cast features Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey, Ryan Allen, Brendan Fletcher, and Reena Jolly.

The Saviors

Director: Kevin Hamedani, Screenwriters: Kevin Hamedani and Travis Betz

After an estranged couple rents out their Airbnb, they soon suspect their guests are plotting something sinister. After the couple investigates, they heal their relationship and discover something even stranger than they could have imagined.

Adam Scott, Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, Kate Berlant, and Ron Perlman star.

Ugly Cry

Writer/director: Emily Robinson

An actor loses their dream role because of an "ugly cry." This causes them to spiral down a dangerous path to perfection. The cast features Robinson, Ryan Simpkins, Aaron Dominguez, and Robin Tunney.

Additional SXSW Highlights

SXSW 2026 will feature a few festival movies that recently screened elsewhere, including three Sundance 2026 Midnight features - Buddy, Leviticus, and Rock Springs (read our Sundance review).

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SXSW's website.