Faces of Death Review: Controversial 1978 Horror Classic Gets a Darker, Smarter Remake

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When people think of shocking movies, titles like Saw and Hostel often come up. However, even those films don’t compare to an older style of horror that was truly disturbing because it felt so realistic – films like Faces of Death.

The original Faces of Death, popular in the late 1970s and 80s, gained notoriety by claiming to show real footage of deaths – both human and animal. Although much of this footage was later revealed to be faked, the film left a lasting impression. That history is precisely what allows a new version to be made in 2026, and makes its message about the dangers of being overly curious about disturbing things feel so unsettling.

Faces of Death Elevates Above Its Controversial Source Material

As a horror fan, I’ve definitely heard of ‘Mondo’ films, and honestly, they’re pretty notorious. They’re basically those over-the-top, ‘pseudo-documentaries’ made to shock you, and this one I’m thinking of really dives into all the different ways people – and animals – can die. It covered everything from executions to accidents. Now, a lot of it was faked, but that taboo element is what gave it a cult following among horror buffs like myself. Still, let’s be real, it wasn’t exactly a masterpiece of storytelling. It traded any kind of depth for pure shock value, and that was all it had going for it.

The 2026 film, Faces of Death, isn’t a simple horror movie. It uses the title to explore themes of online content, censorship, and our fascination with disturbing imagery. The story centers on Margot (Barbie Ferreira), a content moderator for a TikTok-like app, who discovers shockingly realistic videos of murder that resemble scenes from the original Faces of Death (a film that exists within the world of the new movie). Her investigation leads her into danger, making her the target of a killer (Dacre Montgomery) and his twisted game.

The appeal of this new film, Faces of Death, isn’t that it’s a typical remake or sequel. Instead, it leverages the notoriety of the original to appeal to our natural curiosity about things that are shocking and off-limits. While enjoying a horror movie is one thing, venturing into disturbing and potentially harmful content – especially online – is quite another, and comes with real risks.

The film Faces of Death is most impactful when it critiques the double standards of people who spend a lot of time online. It points out how some deny being influenced by internet culture, yet still engage with—and even profit from—its most harmful aspects. The film also taps into our general fascination with disturbing content, and how easily the line between entertainment and real tragedy can be crossed. Ultimately, Faces of Death argues that this darkness isn’t caused by any single individual, but by a society that willingly consumes, rationalizes, and ignores it. And on that point, the film delivers its message effectively.

Faces of Death’s Killer Drives the Best Scenes

What truly makes Faces of Death compelling – despite being unsettling, frustrating, and occasionally enjoyable – are the performances. While Montgomery is excellent in their role, Ferreira deserves recognition for portraying the intricate and fearlessly determined Margot.

The movie centers on Margot, a woman with a hidden past who tries to do what’s right, even while working for a social media app that prioritizes censorship but avoids truly taking a stand. The film highlights how the pursuit of profit often outweighs ethical concerns, suggesting that manipulating public opinion is acceptable if it boosts user engagement. This makes Margot a sympathetic character, until she, like many online, seems to lose sight of the truth. The film repeatedly presents Margot with opportunities to act on her beliefs and create change, but she consistently fails to do so.

Watching Margot, it’s honestly wild how she keeps stumbling into success despite constantly messing up! She misses so many obvious opportunities to do the smart thing – like involving the police when she should, or being even a little bit stealthy. But what drives her, this need to solve everything and become a real online detective, actually gives her the courage to step up and be the hero. It’s a weird combination, but it works!

The killer in the Faces of Death segment stands out as a chilling contrast to Margot. While Margot is just beginning to understand the dangers she faces, this killer is highly skilled with technology. Every time Margot thinks she’s figured things out and is safe, he manages to find her, highlighting her vulnerability.

Montgomery is a deranged killer driven by a desire to create shocking content. His frantic energy and unwavering self-belief make him a compelling villain. While he might not become a legendary horror icon, Montgomery effectively blends terror with a sharp critique of the modern obsession with online attention.

Faces of Death Has Flaws and Misses Out on a Powerful Lesson

The 2026 film, Faces of Death, is all about seeking attention. While the on-screen killings are obviously staged, they’re made to look shockingly realistic, which creates a strange and unsettling feeling. The story centers on a killer motivated by public approval, and Margot, a character who wants to help but also feels pressured to be the main hero.

The film Faces of Death’s focus on perception also reveals its most significant weaknesses—and surprisingly, its strengths. The main character, Margot, is difficult to fully support because, despite being intelligent, she doesn’t consistently make the right choices when it truly counts. Even when the police first doubt her, she later has a clear chance to involve them, but she still doesn’t follow through.

The film’s choice can be seen as highlighting Margot’s self-imposed trap—she feels compelled to handle everything on her own. However, if you don’t view it that way, the film’s plot starts to fall apart. This weakens what could have been its most powerful message: while courage is admirable, deliberately putting yourself in harm’s way instead of contacting authorities isn’t heroic.

Horror movies often show the police as ineffective, and this film starts out that way too. However, even when the protagonist, Margot, could get the police involved, she hesitates, and that decision causes problems for her. The film gets caught up in the drama of the situation, but its main flaw is that it doesn’t strongly emphasize the difference between real life and a movie. Trying to be a hero when it’s not needed is portrayed as a mistake, but the film doesn’t fully drive that point home.

Ultimately, Faces of Death is a flawed but captivating film. It explores the unsettling aspects of social media and our collective obsession with disturbing content, elevating it beyond simple shock value. While not perfect, it prompts a crucial and uncomfortable question: What drives our fascination with this type of material?

Faces of Death hits theaters on April 10, 2026.

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2026-04-06 06:40