“Bad Karaoke” Brings Blood-Soaked Humor to Tubi FrightFest

“Bad Karaoke,” a comedy-horror feature directed by Chris Lightbody and Robert J. Steinmiller Jr., will debut at Tubi FrightFest in London on Aug. 30, 2026. The world premiere is scheduled for the ODEON Luxe West End, the festival’s primary venue for genre releases.

Variety Magazine

The film follows wedding-band keyboardist Emily, portrayed by Lexi Underwood, who discovers an antiquated karaoke machine in a dive-bar backroom. Expecting a night of light-hearted singing, the band instead triggers a blood-thirsty device that kills anyone who performs poorly. The narrative escalates as the group attempts to out-sing the machine, only to confront further murders and a mysterious stranger who may hold the key to survival.

Variety Magazine

• Directors: Chris Lightbody and Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. (co-writers)

Variety Magazine

• Producer/Co-writer: Spencer Yaras

Variety Magazine

• Lead Actors: Lexi Underwood (“Little Fires Everywhere”), Case Walker (“The Other Two”), and singer-actress Kat Cunning (“Trinkets”)

Variety Magazine

These creators combine indie horror sensibilities with comedic timing, positioning “Bad Karaoke” as a tongue-in-cheek entry in the horror-comedy subgenre.

Variety Magazine

In a release accompanying the trailer, Lightbody and Steinmiller Jr. explained that the concept stemmed from personal experiences with disastrous karaoke sessions. They noted that many people have “near-death karaoke experiences,” prompting the filmmakers to explore the idea while commenting on contemporary music culture. The directors emphasized that the project evolved into a horror-comedy rather than a serious critique of the music industry.

Variety Magazine

• “We were inspired to make this film after years of painful karaoke performances nearly put us in an early grave,” — Chris Lightbody, Director

Variety Magazine

• “We found that many people have had near-death karaoke experiences and we wanted to play with that idea, as well as say something profound about the state of new music. But instead, we made ‘Bad Karaoke.’” — Robert J. Steinmiller Jr., Director

Variety Magazine

The film’s blend of gore and satire aims to attract horror enthusiasts seeking a fresh, pitch-perfect thrill at the upcoming festival.

Variety Magazine