On March 28, at Harkins Scottsdale 101, the Phoenix Film Festival kicked off Day two. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, over 250 films will be showcased from March 28 to April 7. With over 20,000 attendees, fans filled the theater seats to discover their new favorite movie.

“Eric Larue” is a tense, heartbreaking film that follows Janice Larue, Judy Greer, and Ron Larue, Alexander Skarsgård, a couple coping with the aftermath of their sons' murders of three classmates. While Janice struggles to move through life, Ron finds comfort at a new church.

Paige and Ken Mostoller, volunteers for the Phoenix Film Festival, shared their excitement for the film.

“It’s interesting to me,” Mostoller said. “Things you wouldn’t know about without going to the movies and learning about them.”

Janice continues to battle with the overwhelming toll her son left, having to confront the mothers of the victims.

“There’s not going to be a good ending to this,” Mostoller said. “There can’t be a good ending to it.”

 “Eric Larue” asks the audience to witness the sheer dismay that comes with violence. While it teaches the audience the struggles behind tragedies, other films portray the value of life.

“The Low End Theory” is a grounded, crime-driven film that follows Raquel Pacheco, played by Sofia Yepes, a producer turned money launderer desperate to leave her work behind. When Raquel meets a beautiful young woman named Veronica, played by Sidney Flanigan, she attempts to steal from her drug-dealer boss to help Veronica pay off her debts.

Mina Lopez, a VIP fan for the Phoenix Film Festival, was asked how the film made her feel.

“I actually got very attached to the main character,” Lopez said. “She’s been used throughout her life…I felt sad for her.”

Raquel continues to have an obsessive affair with Veronica, coming full circle back at her with karma through traumatic abuse. “The Low End Theory” reveals to the audience that there ain't any rewinds in a life of crime.

While “The Low End Theory” presents how karma exists, other films display how you should never underestimate anyone.

“Freaky Tales” is an action-packed, gory comedy film that follows a mix of colorful characters with their respective backstories. Narrated by Too $hort, the film stars Pedro Pascal as Clint, Ben Mendelsohn as The Guy, and Jay Ellis as Sleepy Floyd in 1987.

Alycia Criger, a VIP fan for the Phoenix Film Festival, expressed her exhilaration after watching the film.

“I was mostly there just for Pedro Pascal,” Criger said. “I love that kind of movie, like a comedy, but also some action and gore. It was all of my favorite genres just kind of mixed.”

Each separate storyline eventually connects to illustrate a linked plot that concludes with a humorous bloodbath between Sleepy Floyd and neo-Nazis. “Freaky Tales” unveils how people should never mess with the wrong “Warrior”.

While “Freaky Tales” demonstrates the result of underestimating, other films establish the importance of keeping to yourself.

“McCurdy Point” is a found-footage horror film about a group of friends who travel to a getaway lake for a birthday celebration. Directed by the Jeremy Brothers, it stars Kiel Kennedy as Nick, Ryan Gaul as Sam, Christian Noah Roberts as Alex, and Joey Krulock as P.J.

Marcus Dorcoo, a VIP fan of the Phoenix Film Festival, conveyed his connection with the film's nostalgic narrative.

“It made me feel nostalgic,” Dorcoo said. “I could see me and the boys doing the trip like that…They did a really good job nailing down [how] normal people actually talk like.”

Dorcoo shared his most exciting moments, the climax of the film, where the fate of the main characters was ultimately left to the spirit haunting McCurdy Point.

“It made me care about them, that’s where they get you,” Dorcoo said. “Once you care about the characters, now you care when they die.”

“McCurdy Point” teaches the audience that some things are better left unexplored.

Each of these films corresponded with audience members in their own unique way, questioning the art presented on the big screen as the directors intended.