Now Streaming in Austin: Attack of the Demons

Welcome to Now Streaming in Austin, highlighting locally made titles to watch while self-quarantining.
We all know that animation isn't just for kids, but Austin-made blood-splattered paper horror Attack of the Demons goes full zombie invasion.

A technical and artistic leap for Austin cutout animator Eric Power from his debut feature, samurai epic Path of Blood (another Now Streaming in Austin selection - look for a katama-wielding Easter egg here), Attack of the Demons is a grisly and gorgeous mix of Fulci and puppetry. While so many contemporary horrors are obsessed with the '80s, Power brings back another peak era of horror, the mid-90s - plus, it's right at the height of grunge, and the birth of the destination festival. That's why a bunch of music critics head to small town Colorado in 1994, only to find themselves caught in the grip of a Satanic invasion. Let's just say that it doesn't end well for our music snobs as all Hell (literally) breaks loose.

Attack of the Demons made its world premiere at last year's Cinepocalypse in Chicago, but this weekend it's playing as part of the Chattanooga Film Festival. If that sounds like a drive, think again: this year, the fest has gone online, for the bargain price of $30 for dozens of films and shorts, plus special panels and events - all streaming to your home.

Double benefit: It's a chance to catch a whole slate of films that played Austin film festivals last year (including The Wave, Koko Do Koko Da, Homewrecker, and The Antenna from Fantastic Fest, The Vice Guide to Bigfoot from Austin Film Festival, and the homegrown Scare Package), plus a whole stack of new movies you haven't seen yet.

So enjoy the first of this year's major genre festivals from the comfort of your own couch, but make sure you drop by the Barrington Halloween musical festival, and see gore and more explode.

Attack the the Demons

• Streaming via the Chattanooga Film Festival through May 25 (Link)