Sunday, May 24th, 2026
Seeking something different to shake up your night for Memorial Day Weekend? Then look no further than this special edition of Sacrilegious Cinema: Menagerie of Madness at Hot Wax Coffee Shop this Sunday the 24th. In observance of Asian Heritage Month, we’re bringing you a spine tingling sample of Asian horror cinema in our deadly double feature presentation. This is your chance to acquaint yourself with a catalogue of Asian filmography, showcasing the talents spanning across the continent to welcome a culturally significant player in the annals of horror. The contribution Asian countries imprint upon the genre proves integral to the DNA, offering up something entirely unique in its own right with echoes of influence borrowed by Western media.
At 8PM, we travel back in time to 14th century feudal Japan during the Nanbokuchō period, where a woman and her mother-in-law must fend for themselves after the son’s departure to battle. When the women learn of Kichi’s death with the arrival of his comrade, Hachi, matters grow increasingly inflammatory by the addition of the new man, threatening to separate the system devised in Kichi’s absence to overcome the plight of their poverty-stricken conditions amidst a brutal civil war. The introduction of an uncanny samurai mask, with the countenance of a demon hag, triggers a tumultuous turn of events in an already dread-inducing atmosphere. Inspired by a Buddhist parable, Kaneto Shindō harnesses a merciless depiction of a war-ridden climate- focusing not on the conflict itself, but rather, the ramifications such combat incites; this battle extends beyond the nation, residing within their domicile as the matriarchal politics are disturbed by an outsider- a patriarchal parallel to manufacture strife on all scales.
ONIBABA (1964) analyzes intimacy and carnal desire under both a feministic and classist lens, demonstrating power imbalances among a desolate landscape, thereby begging the question as to whether this fear has origins in the supernatural or psychological side of the spectrum.
Spinning a tale steeped in lore and set against an oppressive monochromatic backdrop, where the unruly reeds emulate a hostility so palpable the ambience takes on a life of its own, transforming into another pivotal character in this bleak commentary on womanhood and war. 
Then, at 10PM, enter an anthology of fright and pick between THREE EXTREMES (2004) to seal your fate. This treacherous trio features three tales throughout Asia, providing a glimpse into their hand in horror and surveying their versatility in the genre, emerging as one of the greatest in the game. The first story, by Fruit Chan, dubbed, ‘Dumplings’ – comes out of China and follows an aging actress on the hunt to reclaim her youth, thus recapturing the attention of of her adulterous husband; the woman stumbles upon a black market vendor who purports to sell the secret to eternal juvenescence in her homemade dumplings- but this mysterious ingredient harbors a harrowing revelation that comes at a price. 
The second segment stems from Korea, crafted by Park Chan-wook, ‘Cut’ concerns the abduction of a flourishing filmmaker and his pianist wife by a disgruntled extra hellbent on making the director’s night one of anguish and bloodshed- with the roles now reversed, and said extra pulling the strings to paint his own twisted narrative, the couple is subject to his sinister mind games and mutilation. 
Finally, from the genius of Takashi Miike, we end with the Japanese ‘Box’- a claustrophobic short based on a novelist named Kyoko, suffering the torments of her past where she was once a circus performer with her twin sister, Shoko. The abuse resurfaces with the introduction of Kyoko’s publisher- a doppelgänger of her baneful carnie benefactor- unsheathing unresolved guilt she bears over her sibling’s unfortunate fate. Mike weaves a chilling tale of duality in this psychological web of trauma to complete the terrifying trilogy on a high note. 
Come celebrate the rich history of Asia in its most horrifying format, praising its stylistic approach to a beloved genre in the more insidious implantation of fear. 
FREE popcorn included with a
mandatory purchase- no cover charge with a 1 drink (or snack) minimum from the bar.
(Movie nights offer psychological insight accompanied by behind the scenes information and observations by your horror hostess).