Faces of Death will stir up strong feelings in older horror fans. The 1978 mondo horror film was the stuff of schoolyard legends. Almost twenty years before The Blair Witch Project, people were asking “is what I just watched real or not”? Its cult reputation led to a number of sequels, but it was hard to imagine it being a candidate for another horror remake.
Somehow, director Daniel Goldhaber (How to Blow Up a Pipeline) has done the seemingly impossible and brought a pseudo-documentary from the late 70s into the 21st century. Even more surprising, the new Faces of Death is actually good. Since there was no logical way to recreate it, Goldhaber and co-writer Isa Mazzei (CAM) have used the original has the groundwork for a very competent slasher.
The casting is excellent. Every actor can claim to be a part of a fandom. Barbie Ferreira from Euphoria, Dacre Montgomery from Power Rangers and Stranger Things, Josie Totah from Saved by the Bell, and Charlie XCX all bring their names to Faces of Death. Whether intentional or not, it is a neat little twist.
Ferreira is Margot, the lesser seen type of Final Girl. While she is resourceful and smart, she is always getting in her own way. Opposite of the traditional Final Girl who pulls in audiences by being a badass, Margot’s appeal is she will have anyone watching screaming at her. It is an odd push and pull in which you are rooting for her while also questioning her decision making.
Faces of Death explores some of the issues that plague society today. Much like its predecessor whose look at death was superficial, the modern version just skims the surface. Still, it addresses how social media and insensitivity to violence are affect people.
Faces of Death comes to theaters April 10.
‘Faces of Death’ (2026): Strong remake builds on cult following
Faces of Death (2026)
Somehow turning the Mondo shock documentary into a slasher, the 2026 remake is a welcome addition to the infamous franchise.
Strong casting adds to the cult feel of film
Ferreira is great as the untraditional Final Girl
Not as gory as the pedigree would imply