Arc Cinema presents a series of Friday night filmic feasts hosted by Venus Mantrap – local drag artist and culture warrior. Fright Night: Cult Cinema Classics at the NFSA will plumb the archives to showcase cinema with bite, edgy movies and fan favourites – films that unnerve, push buttons, ask questions and just look good on the big screen.
If you're a sucker for nostalgia or curious about forgotten gems, join Venus as we venture into the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond – with special guests, surprise performances, trivia and best-dressed contests. Gather your tribe of rowdy rebels and misfits and join Venus for Fright Night!
Cult Classics with Venus Mantrap 2026 Movie Lineup
Fri 20 Feb She-Devil (1989) Book
Fri 27 Mar Making Mr. Right (1987) Book
Fri 17 Apr Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) Book
Fri 29 May Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989) Book
Fri 26 Jun Blood Simple (1984) Book
Fri 31 Jul Scanners (1981) Book
Fri 21 Aug Body Double (1984) Book
Fri 18 Sep Strange Days (1995) Book
Fri 23 Oct The Lair of the White Worm (1988) Book
Fri 13 Nov Death Becomes Her (1992) Book
Fri 11 Dec Showgirls (1995) Book
MORE DETAILS NFSA
YOUR HOST VENUS MANTRAP
Venus Mantrap is an androgynous construct whose roots are firmly planted in the world of drag. Exploring aspects of cabaret, performance art and comedy during live shows, Mantrap has produced The Bowie Ball and starred in two one-person-shows: Life, Love and Lip Syncing and Valley of the Molls.
Venus is regularly found at Smith's Alternative as the MC of Cabaret Voltaireand has been a featured artist at Glitterbox, LGBTIQ+ Elders Dance Club, Drag Cabaret and Finucane and Smith's touring show Dancehall. Follow them on Instagram at @the_venus_mantrap
Life • Love • Lip Syncing on Ngunawal | Ngambri country
Venus Mantrap @the_venus_mantrap
Host of FRIGHT NIGHT @nfsaonline
Emcee SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION @smithsalternative
DO YOU LOVE MOVIE CLASSICS
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