Posthumous – Movie Review | Fantastic Fest (3/5)

POSTHUMOUS is getting its World Premiere at 2026 Fantastic Fest. This horror drama has so much heart, and while it’s about grief and trauma, it’s also uplifting. Well, in some ways. In other ways, it’s sinister and downright demonic. A solid Aussie genre production that could’ve been a little shorter. Read our Posthumous movie review here!

POSTHUMOUS is an Australian horror movie with a grief drama at its center. I know we’ve seen a lot of those in recent years, but don’t forget that Australia also brought us The Babadook. Well, an Australian director (Jennifer Kent), but you get my drift. Anyway, the grief and trauma at the center of this storyline is of a very relatable kind.

Also, there’s something scary in the TV, which may remind you of Poltergeist at first, but I assure you, Posthumous is an entirely different entity. The runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes is too long, which is the one downside of it. Not that it ruins the experience, but it would have been stronger if some of the repetitions and lingering shots had been cut.

Continue reading our Posthumous movie review below.

Happy Birthday from the other side

Posthumous is the story of Zoe, who returns to her childhood home for her 30th birthday. Living in the house is her dad, who seems to be rather depressed. For Zoe, it feels like he doesn’t really care about her, but at the same time, she also recognizes that he desperately misses his wife, Zoe’s mom.

Speaking of Zoe’s mom, Joanne, she has never been part of her daughter’s life, as she was terminally ill while pregnant. To be there for her daughter, she filmed a series of “Happy Birthday” videos on home video for her daughter. Whenever Zoe goes back home, she puts on the VHS tape and watches the messages from her mom. Each one has an age-appropriate message or some guidance that Joanne imagined her daughter would need at that age.

It’s all very sweet and loving while also being absolutely heartbreaking.

And then Zoe comes across some other video footage of her mom. It’s still from when Joanne is pregnant, but these recordings have more to do with the death of her mother. Is Zoe ready to know the truth of her mother’s death and her own birth? And, not least, what might discovering the truth awaken?!

Familiar yet fresh

While some of the plot elements of Posthumous may feel a little familiar, I only see this as a positive. An homage or tribute to previous horror stories dealing with grief. Posthumous feels fresh and full of heart… well, and horror; let’s not forget that.

And in terms of the actual horror elements, I think this will hit hard for many viewers. Not least anyone who has lost a parent, spouse, or another loved one they had a strong connection with. This isn’t at all about wallowing in sorrow and sadness. In fact, it’s clearly about the opposite. It’s about dealing with it and allowing oneself to keep living. If nothing else, then for those who are no longer here.

Getting this message across is the main job of the cast, which delivers some heartbreaking and strong portrayals of their respective characters. In the lead role as Zoe, we have Sophie Lowe (The Dive), while her dad, Neil, is portrayed by David Roberts (The Matrix Reloaded). These two characters have to work both independently and in terms of a believable family dynamic, and they succeed.

Also in a key role is Doris Younane (The Clearing) as Brenda, who impressed me deeply as well. And I cannot forget Kira-Che Heelan, who plays Joanne. Despite having been dead for three decades, we see her on VHS and in flashbacks, so she has a rather big role. In other smaller roles, you can look forward to Remy Hii, Christopher James Baker (Boy Swallows Universe), Mia Morrissey (Together), and George Pullar (Evil Dead Burn).

Posthumous world premieres at Fantastic Fest 2026

Posthumous comes from director Josh Tanner, who has enjoyed success on YouTube (like certain other Aussie and U.S. horror directors) with short films such as The Landing and Wandering Soul. Now, it’s time for the proverbial big leagues with his first feature film. The screenplay comes from the director and Jade van der Lei, and the two also produced the movie.

As a producer, Jade van der Lei is no stranger to genre movies, as she worked as a line producer on We Bury the Dead. Also, she produced and co-wrote the short films directed by Josh Tanner, so the two make quite the dynamic duo. I really hope Posthumous is just the first of many genre productions from these two.

Based on all the amazing horror productions to come out of Australia, we’re not seeing nearly enough getting international focus. Too often, they “only” make it big at film festivals, but many of them deserve so much more. With Talk to Me, Dangerous Animal, Leviticus, and Penny Lane is Dead, but also going all the way back to Wolf Creek, the hits are lining up. If nothing else, Shudder could look (even more) towards the talent Down Under. Posthumous would be a solid fit for Shudder.

Posthumous is getting its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest 2026. This review will be updated with wider release information when we have it.

Details

Director: Josh Tanner
Writers: Josh Tanner, Jade van der Lei
Cast: Sophie Lowe, David Roberts, Doris Younane, Remy Hii