The Cycle // Imagine Fantastic Film Fest 2026 Review

What starts off as a good old-fashioned procedural thriller, much like Mindhunter in its approach, transforms into something else along the way. Complete with father-daughter trauma and family secrets, you might find the plot points familiar—until they aren’t. Directed and co-written by Jordan Downey (ThanksKilling), The Cycle proves it’s possible to tell fresh stories in the horror genre.

It’s Not What You Think

Downey and co-writer Kevin Stewart set up the first half of this film like your run-of-the-mill crime thriller. Dr. Meg Garland (Deborah Ann Woll) is an expert in criminology, and she’s sought after when three bodies are found at a crime scene; one of which is her father’s. After being missing for 36 years, Meg joins police officers Ian (Will Hichman) and Marks (Jeffrey Donovan) in an investigation into why her father was discovered alongside the mutilated bodies of a mother and daughter.

It feels familiar as the three work to uncover what connects the bodies, but nothing adds up. Then, Downey and Stewart introduce an entirely new concept that changes everything that came before, deepening the storytelling. Don’t get too attached to any one character in this one. I made that mistake early on and instantly regretted it. Downey didn’t come to play. And it’s so much fun to witness.

Practical Effects for the Win

There’s no subtlety to the references to Frankenstein and Dracula as the film powers towards its reveal. Without any spoilers (trust me, you don’t want to be spoiled), these references aren’t pointless. Although some of the practical effects aren’t perfect, that doesn’t take away from the impact. Spearheaded by Patrick Magee and his team, we’re gifted with practical work that rivals iconic films of the same subgenre. When it comes down to it, practical never goes out of style, and Magee proves that here.

It All Comes Together

Woll settles into her performance as Meg with uncanny intuition. She feels like a daughter whose father walked out on her, desperate to find out what pulled her father away from her for most of her life. Though that is her backstory, it doesn’t seep into the core of the investigation. The work she and Marks do together is well balanced with the various foundational pieces that Downey and Stewart crafted in their writing. Stewart serves not only as co-writer but also as the cinematographer. There is a visual aspect to the storytelling that Stewart captures well, and a few shots that are unforgettable. The Cycle might seem like familiar territory in the beginning; however, don’t give up too soon. This family drama turned crime thriller becomes something worth sticking around for the ending.