The second annual After Dark HorrorFest landed in theaters this weekend with a national splatter.

The six-day, eight-film festival -- which began Friday and runs until Nov. 18 -- will bring its collective charms (which include cannibals, Mexican cult killers, spooks, were-rats, a raging mystery virus and enough fake blood to fill a tanker truck) to about 300 U.S. screens. That makes HorrorFest (aka "8 Films to Die For") a world-class festival -- a sort of super-sized Sundance for sadism.

After Dark Horrorfest Films run through Nov. 18 at the Muvico Egyptian 24 Theatres in Arundel Mills. Tickets $6.75 to $9.75. -- Complete schedule: horrorfestonline.com.