Ben Wheatley, one of Britain's most celebrated cult film-makers, has curated a mind-bending sci-fi movie marathon for fans. Spanning 12 hours, the festival features eight films that have influenced his latest production, Bulk.
The brain-melting series begins with Jean-Luc Godard's Alphaville (1965), a pioneering New Wave sci-fi noir that showcases its bold concepts and technical precision. Next up is Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989), a landmark Japanese body horror film that has had a lasting impact on Wheatley's work. This is followed by Quatermass 2 (1957), a Hammer sci-fi classic with a paranoid atmosphere, which Wheatley favors over its more well-known sequel.
Other highlights include the Czech fantasy adventure Journey to the Beginning of Time (1955) and Orson Welles' influential The Third Man (1949). Two indie sci-fi films round out the series: Primer (2004), a mind-bending exploration of time travel, and Scanners (1981), David Cronenberg's horror breakthrough.
Wheatley's choice of film for this marathon was deliberate. "It's been a big influence on me for many years," he says about Alphaville. He also praised Tetsuo: The Iron Man, describing it as a wild film that takes no prisoners. Other choices reflect his fondness for sci-fi and noir, with films like Quatermass 2, Journey to the Beginning of Time, and Le Samourai (1967), a stylish neo-noir starring Alain Delon.
While the marathon may be mentally exhausting, Wheatley recommends starting at 7 am. As he puts it, "the best part of the day." This marathon offers fans of sci-fi, noir, and cult cinema a unique opportunity to explore influential films that have shaped British film-maker Ben Wheatley's vision for Bulk.
The brain-melting series begins with Jean-Luc Godard's Alphaville (1965), a pioneering New Wave sci-fi noir that showcases its bold concepts and technical precision. Next up is Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989), a landmark Japanese body horror film that has had a lasting impact on Wheatley's work. This is followed by Quatermass 2 (1957), a Hammer sci-fi classic with a paranoid atmosphere, which Wheatley favors over its more well-known sequel.
Other highlights include the Czech fantasy adventure Journey to the Beginning of Time (1955) and Orson Welles' influential The Third Man (1949). Two indie sci-fi films round out the series: Primer (2004), a mind-bending exploration of time travel, and Scanners (1981), David Cronenberg's horror breakthrough.
Wheatley's choice of film for this marathon was deliberate. "It's been a big influence on me for many years," he says about Alphaville. He also praised Tetsuo: The Iron Man, describing it as a wild film that takes no prisoners. Other choices reflect his fondness for sci-fi and noir, with films like Quatermass 2, Journey to the Beginning of Time, and Le Samourai (1967), a stylish neo-noir starring Alain Delon.
While the marathon may be mentally exhausting, Wheatley recommends starting at 7 am. As he puts it, "the best part of the day." This marathon offers fans of sci-fi, noir, and cult cinema a unique opportunity to explore influential films that have shaped British film-maker Ben Wheatley's vision for Bulk.
I'm so down for this 12-hour sci-fi movie marathon! 
As much as I love getting lost in the world of cult cinema, I gotta say, some of these classic films are straight-up exhausting just thinking about watching them back-to-back 
. But hey, if Ben Wheatley's gonna put his money where his mouth is, I'm all for it! 
Alphaville and Tetsuo: The Iron Man are definite faves of mine - that 60s French new wave vibe is just so iconic 
. And can we talk about Quatermass 2? Hammering out some serious paranoia vibes over here 
. On the other hand, Primer and Scanners are two of my all-time fave indie sci-fi flicks - mind-bending, trippy goodness 
!
. Not sure I'd take no prisoners to the cinema...
and a speech bubble saying " Hammer time! 
"]
. It's great to see more love for lesser-known films like Quatermass 2 and Journey to the Beginning of Time - those are some hidden gems! 
. ben wheatley's taste is so on point btw. can't wait to start at 7 am like he suggests 
And the marathon's not even over till 7 pm! My brain's gonna be mush by then. Can't they just break it up into more manageable chunks?
Can't even imagine watching that many mind-bending flicks back-to-back... Wheatley's choice of films are all classics and stuff but I'm still gonna stick to Netflix binge-watching at night instead of voluntarily torturing myself with these old movies 
... 12 hours is a wild commitment, but if you're into that kinda thing, it might be worth it. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch some of the most influential films in cult cinema history? Alphaville and Tetsuo: The Iron Man are gonna be lit 
anyway i got a problem with him choosin Quatermass 2 over the sequel tho that's like pickin between ur favorite and least fav sibling what about the rest of us who love Hamfler 2 as much as we love Hammer 1?? 
Can you imagine having a 12-hour movie fest? You'd either be a sci-fi genius or a zombie! Either way, I'm in... bring on the brain-melting goodness! 
It's awesome that Ben Wheatley is sharing his fave films with fans - Alphaville and Tetsuo: The Iron Man are gonna blow minds 
. And Quatermass 2 over its sequel? Solid choice, mate 
. If you're up for a cinematic marathon that'll leave you questioning reality... this is the fest for you! 
and i am HERE. FOR. IT 
and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it 
, like that one Japanese body horror film Tetsuo: The Iron Man 
and it's clear he loves sci-fi and noir just as much as I do 
... what I loved most was seeing how his latest film Bulk is influenced by all these iconic films 
it's so cool! he's featuring all these mind-bending films like alphaville and primer 
. Bring on the sci-fi and noir goodness!