Beyond Fest, the biggest genre festival in the U.S., and Chicago’s world-renowned Music Box Theatre have combined forces to create Beyond Chicago: four days of all-killer-no-filler cinematic chaos and carnage. From April 2–5, Beyond Chicago will explode 30 features across the Music Box Theatre’s historic screens from every corner of the globe. Presented by MUBI, this inaugural program further drives Beyond Fest’s commitment to the theatrical experience and its perennial championing of outsider visions, cult icons, and bold, new cinema voices.

Opening and Closing Night honors are bestowed upon two of contemporary cinema’s boldest voices: Opening Night brings Curry Barker’s instant shock horror classic OBSESSION, whilst Closing Night honors are bestowed upon Daniel Goldhaber with the World Premiere of his audacious reinvention of the seminal Video Nasty shock doc, FACES OF DEATH, on stomach-churning 35mm.

Two of Beyond Fest’s favorite alumni make their welcome in-person returns with a ferocious pair of double-trouble-fists-of-fury. The great Bob Odenkirk and and Derek Kolstad joins us for the Centerpiece Screening of Ben Wheatley’s latest blast of action fire frenzy, NORMAL, on glorious 35mm. Complementing NORMAL, Odenkirk will also host his thematically-inspired pick, Joseph Sargent’s THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE, also on 35mm. Rap legend RZA brings his slick and soulful slice of contemporary exploitation, ONE SPOON OF CHOCOLATE, to the big screen. In addition, the human wuxia-encyclopedia will present a very special 35mm screening of the Shaw Brothers classic, THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM.

The very best of contemporary genre filmmaking is on display courtesy of a bevy of frights and delights that include fresh from its SXSW debut, Jorma Taccone brings his blisteringly violent and brilliantly funny, OVER YOUR DEAD BODY, Mark Jenkin’s magnificently haunting tale of time and terror, ROSE OF NEVADA, starring George MacKay and Callum Turner and in what is a guaranteed lights-out, barn burner of a screening, Stunt icon Kenji Tanigaki brings his instantly infamous epic-fight-fest, THE FURIOUS to Chicago.

High-profile repertory screenings include the much-anticipated World Premiere of the 4K Restoration of SPEED RACER courtesy of Warner Bros., with director Lilly Wachowski in attendance. Other eye-popping, must-see restorations include Terror Vision/Culture Shock’s meticulous rejuvenation of the batshit insane, SMALL KILL, the rare and incredible SHEILA AND THE BRAINSTEM in 4K from Severin Films, Factory25’s glorious remaster of the batshit brilliant BLOOD BROTHERS from Mike Diana and a special late-night screening of FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN in eye-popping 3D in honour of the much-missed Udo Kier.

Following her legendary appearance at Beyond Fest last year, cinema icon and superhero Meiko Kaji, makes her triumphant return to the U.S. for her first-ever Chicago appearance to discuss her incredible four-decade career. Kaji will attend three incredibly rare and magically special screenings of FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41 on 35mm, LADY SNOWBLOOD 2K Restoration, and the brand new 2K Restoration of WANDERING GINZA BUTTERFLY 2: SHE-CAT GAMBLER. 

Two documentaries take pride of place as director Tom Stern brings his deliriously wild BUTTHOLE SURFERS: THE HOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUTT, and is joined by noise rock legends Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary. The fevered filmmaking process of master director John Boorman is brilliantly explored in the ultimate double feature comprised of BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL and a very special screening of the rarely seen EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC.

Surrounding these big theater screenings is a jaw-dropping 15-feature program of global, genre cinema and cult discoveries that are all FREE courtesy of our lead presenting sponsor MUBI.  Crossing borders, defying convention, and exploding sensibilities, this special selection includes the MidWest Premiere of Sidharta Tata’s blistering action assault, IKATAN DARAH, produced by Iko Uwais, the World Premiere of Gene Gallerano and William Pisciotta’s brilliant American creature feature, THE YETI, Algeria’s brilliantly bone-chilling horror, ROQIA from director Yanis Koussim, SXSW’s mind melding sci-fi shocker, IMPOSTERS from director Caleb Phillips, Ben Wheatley’s unhinged lo-fi sci-fi epic BULK, and Jessica Vogt’s heartbreaking independent sci-fi PHASE, Grégory Morin’s riotous midnighter FLUSH, Avalon Fast’s thrilling coming-of-age witchcraft story CAMP, the sumptuous and enthralling 16mm nightmare CRUEL HANDS from director Al Kalyk, as well as two dedicated short blocks highlighting the best of home-grown talent as well as international newcomers.

From April 2 to April 5, the Music Box Theatre becomes a home for cinema that is fearless, transgressive, excessive, confrontational, and most importantly, best experienced together. Beyond Chicago is coming to eat you.