Who here remembers notoriously controversial film, Faces of Death?
Who here remembers Dacre Montgomery as the evil big brother, Billy Hargrove from Stranger Things?

If you didn’t raise your hand for either question, feel free to skip this review as you are just not my people.

I am SO kidding…please, read on!  

In 1978, an American mondo horror film shook the entertainment industry, causing widespread upheaval. A niche picture called Faces of Death was released, presenting itself as a real snuff film involving intense animal cruelty, extremely graphic violence against people and executions via shootings, dismemberments and even an electric chair killing. It’s highly charged with offensive and shocking scenes which lead the movie to become banned in 46 countries.

Not too long after it’s widespread disapproval of soliciting such heinous material, did it come to pass that Faces of Death was completely fake. Although it proved to be a successful marketing campaign like the later found footage film The Blair Witch Project, there are countless audiences who still maintain its realism and possible cover up to its authenticity.

Nonetheless, we’ve been subjected to multiple sequels, etc. throughout the years which haven’t gained the same cult classic following and taboo status that the original Faces of Death has attributed.

Now with the “remake” of the movie through IFC Entertainment/Shudder, Faces of Death has created a new face. Although I use the term "remake" rather informally, it may be prudent to eliminate it altogether. This is NOT an updated rendition of the counterculture flick that spooked gorehounds for decades. I hate to make the comparison, but it’s more of a rebranded sequel similar to The Human Centipede 2.

Before you decide to close out my article and ban my reviews as a resource for future films, please continue to follow my comparison.

The Human Centipede 2 follows a disturbed man inspired by the original film who attempts to recreate its atrocities. Likewise, Faces of Death 2026 depicts the story of Arthur, a young man who meticulously reconstructs the abhorrent crime scenes represented in the original film. Despite Arthur being intelligent and attractive, this new version is more unified in its cohesiveness drawing from the disheartening development of his character. He exploits these traits to gain access to his chosen victims while pursuing his mission – to become a famous online celebrity, by sharing the most shocking yet, obtainable videos on the internet.

Margot is an ambitious woman who is stuck in a mentally debilitating job. She spends her days as a website content commentator, flagging violent, pornographic and disturbing material for appropriateness. When she stumbles into several reels posted by the same obscure user ID, Margot begins to contemplate their realism. Is she watching actual snuff clips, or are they just pretend to drive traffic and increase followers?

While Margot reconciles the validity of these crudely savage files, she is clearly grappling with the overwhelming guilt derived from her own grisly recording where her sister is startlingly killed by a train after they horse around on the tracks. After several mental breakdowns, open discussions with her male best friend/roommate and her intention to bring down this filth monger who has infested her brain with further culpability, Margot decides to go full on “Don’t Fuck with Cats” sleuth to uncover this social media monster.

An unfortunate and true component that is completely chilling becomes the victimized victim credo: Who is going to believe me? Thus is the gamble after she approaches her boss, and even the police.

Leave it alone. Support the trend. Give people what they want.

As the antagonist cages his prey, amateur detective Margot feels a sense of urgency weighing upon her psyche, compelling her to identify Arthur before it’s too late. Or before he gets to her first.

The spread of sickness is as harmful as the content itself. Once Arthur locates the infamous “train video” that Margot is trying hard to separate from, his intrigue soars with malevolent pleasure. Has he found his murderous soulmate? His dark “web-ess” in disguise? Or perhaps the most significant target, allowing him to elevate his position through an achievement surpassing all previous accomplishments? Whatever the motive, you will be able to presume the divine tragedy from a stupidly reckless decision before it’s all over.