On a recent episode of the Nightmare on Film Street podcast, SXSW senior programmer Peter Hall joined us to discuss the film program he helped put together for the 2026 festival. During that chat he told us about the entire Midnight slate of films, including a Mexican picture titled Fifteen (Quince) loaded with practical gags. “People aren’t going to see this one coming,” he promised, but one thing he keep secret was that this was a new take on body horror AND the classic creature feature template.
Directed by Jack Zagha Kababie & Yossy Zagha from a screenplay by Ricardo Alvarez Canales & Andrzej Rattinger, Fifteen celebrated its World Premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival, where Sydney Sweeney’s thriller Immaculate shocked audiences just 2 years ago. But rest assured, if pregnancy horror isn’t your thing, this supernatural teenage terror flick has more in common with Ginger Snaps or Carrie than your high school health class’s dry examination of the bird’s and the bees.
“…a new take on body horror AND the classic creature feature template.”
Greta Marti & Macarena Oz star as teen best friends Ligia & Mayte, two inseparable girls that are forced to deal with mean girls, creepy doctors, and mythical monsters, all while trying to plan the Quinceañera of their dreams. Ligia‘s boyfriend has been acting strange (ever since he was attacked by a snarling 6-foot sewer beast!) but it isn’t until she discovers that she is pregnant that the girls realize just how much trouble they’ve stumbled into. It’s one battle after another for these girls as they navigate social cliques, a stern headmistress, and Ligia’s monster-sized baby belly. Oh, and those highly questionable food cravings she’s been having….
The beats of most every teenage horror story are pretty familiar at this point. It’s hard to find new ground to tread while still trying to tell a story about the “life-ruining” moments we all live through in those years. For Fifteen, it’s unique flare comes by way of grimy back-alley abortionists, a doomsayer Bruja, and vicious schoolyard bullies. But the movie has a ton of personality and kitsch when Ligia & Mayte fantasize about the havoc they might one day wreak together. It does, unfortunately, get bogged down in the middle while the story shifts gears into its pregnancy-from-hell chunk, but it does really help build a ramp for a blood-soaked finale that would make Carrie White proud.
“[Delivers] a blood-soaked finale that would make Carrie White proud.”
Jack Zagha Kababie & Yossy Zagha’s Quince (Fifteen) celebrated its World Premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival. Click HERE to follow out continued coverage of the festival and let let us know if any of your friends have given birth to a monster over in the Nightmare on Film Street Discord. Social Media is A Cesspool. Come Hang Where The Cool Creeps Are.
Hot at the Shop:
