When cinephiles look back at the defining horror cinema of the 1970s and 1980s, certain titles immediately come to mind. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, and Friday the 13th are universally recognized as seminal works that reshaped the genre’s landscape. However, the era also birthed films that gained notoriety not for their cinematic merit, but for the sheer controversy they ignited. Standing tall among these polarizing titles is the 1978 cult favorite, Faces of Death.
For decades, the original film has been shrouded in a mix of urban legend and disgust. Known for its gruesome presentation and the inclusion of purported footage depicting actual deaths, it was critically panned and outright banned in several countries. Despite—or perhaps because of—this infamy, it garnered a dedicated cult following among extreme horror enthusiasts.
Now, decades later, Shudder and IFC Films are preparing to reintroduce this controversial concept to a modern audience. In partnership with Legendary Pictures, a reimagining of Faces of Death is set to hit theaters this spring, promising to explore the blurred lines between reality and fiction in the digital age.
A Modern Take on a Controversial Legacy
According to a recent report by Variety, the upcoming remake is slated for an April release. The film is helmed by Daniel Goldhaber, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Isa Mazzei. Goldhaber is no stranger to the horror-thriller genre, having previously directed the eco-terrorism thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline.
The creative team intends to leverage today’s advanced technology to maintain the original’s documentary-style narrative structure. However, rather than relying on the shock value of the late 70s, the remake aims to tap into the anxieties of the modern internet era.
The Plot: Content Moderation in a World of Fake News
The new Faces of Death shifts its focus to the digital frontier. According to the official press release, the film continues the exploration of the original’s infamous “Is it real or not?” conceit.
The story centers on a woman, played by Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria), who works as a content moderator for a major video platform. Her job is to sift through the darkest corners of the internet, but she stumbles upon what appear to be re-enactments of murders from the original 1978 film.
In an online landscape where deepfakes and misinformation run rampant, the protagonist is thrust into a terrifying mystery. She must determine whether the violence she is witnessing is merely fiction or if it is unfolding in real-time. The narrative promises to explore the psychological toll of viewing disturbing content and the difficulty of discerning truth in a post-truth world.
An All-Star Cast
One of the most exciting aspects of this production is the diverse and talented ensemble cast. The film brings together actors from various corners of the entertainment industry, likely to draw in a broad audience beyond traditional horror fans.
- Barbie Ferreira: Known for her role in HBO’s Euphoria, Ferreira takes the lead as the content moderator.
- Dacre Montgomery: Horror and sci-fi fans will recognize Montgomery as the charismatic yet terrifying Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things. His acting range suggests he will bring significant depth to the project.
- Jermaine Fowler: A standout in the recent horror-comedy hit The Blackening, Fowler adds both comedic timing and dramatic weight to the cast.
- Charlie XCX: The addition of the pop sensation and musician is a strategic move that will undoubtedly attract viewers who may not typically frequent the horror section.
Why This Remake Matters
While the original Faces of Death is often dismissed as a “video nasty,” the premise of the remake offers a fresh perspective. By shifting the lens to a content moderator, the film addresses contemporary fears regarding the consumption of violence online. It asks the audience to question what they see on their screens, a theme that resonates deeply in the era of viral videos and social media algorithms.
The decision to move away from the “found footage” trope and toward a “documentary style narrative” suggests a more sophisticated approach to horror. Instead of relying solely on gore, the film appears poised to build tension through psychological uncertainty and the fear of the unknown.
Release Date and Expectations
The Faces of Death remake is scheduled to arrive in theaters on April 10.
As the release date approaches, the horror community is divided. Some purists may argue that the original should remain untouched, while others are eager to see how a modern filmmaker interprets such a controversial concept. With a talented director at the helm and a strong cast, this remake has the potential to be more than just a cash-grab; it could be a commentary on the desensitization of modern society.
We will have to wait until April to see if this new iteration lives up to the hype—or infamy—of its predecessor.
