Milwaukee Film is thrilled to welcome director Rachel Talalay, one of the few women to crash the boys’ club of genre filmmaking, to the Oriental Theatre for a weekend of screenings and conversations with the iconic director who has garnered a cult following. This series includes a 30th anniversary screening of Tank Girl on 35mm film, a screening of Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, and a screening of one of Talalay’s best-known television episodes, followed by a seated discussion of her ranging and varied career across genres and forms.

From punk-rock comedies to dream-haunting slashers, comic book rebels to legendary Time Lords, Talalay’s career is a whirlwind tour through some of the most gloriously weird corners of pop culture. After cutting her teeth as a production assistant on John Waters’ Polyester, Talalay produced his films Hairspray and Cry-Baby as well as two Nightmare on Elm Street films before directing Freddy Krueger’s swan song, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, and giving us the colorful chaos of Tank Girl. She then moved into television, directing for over fifty television shows including redefining Doctor Who with some of the best “lady doctor” episodes.

“We are absolutely thrilled to bring Rachel Talalay to Milwaukee for two days of events as part of our Cinematic Sisterhood series,” expressed Milwaukee Film’s Executive Director Susan Kerns. “By working in genre film and television, Talalay has expanded representations of women in science fiction and action films while helping cultivate one of the most beloved horror series of all time, the A Nightmare on Elm Street films. We’re excited to explore her work and just have a lot of fun!” she concluded. 

See the full lineup for Cult Queen: A Rachel Talalay Retrospective here:

• TANK GIRL on 35mm Film – 10/24 at 7 PM 

• An Afternoon with the Queen – 10/25 at 2 PM

• This is the centerpiece of Rachel Talalay’s visit to Milwaukee for this retrospective as part of Cinematic Sisterhood. Featuring a screening of one of her best-known television episodes, a seated discussion of her career, and clips and discussion of some of her personal highlights, this event is one part masterclass and one part cinematic joy as we bring small-screen projects to the big screen. Following this discussion, audiences will be able to purchase autographs. Milwaukee Film is a cashless venue, so bring a credit card to participate. Those not attending the screening can queue in the lobby starting at 4 PM for access to the autograph  session following those attending the screening, availability pending.

• FREDDY’S DEAD: THE FINAL NIGHTMARE – 10/25 at 8 PM

This series isn’t just a celebration of one director—it’s a reminder that women have always belonged in horror, action, and sci-fi not just as final girls and companions, but as creators, visionaries, and rebels behind the camera. Whether you’re coming for the post-apocalyptic kangaroos, the time paradoxes, or the nightmare glove, one thing’s for sure: Rachel Talalay doesn’t play by the rules.