The recent release of Faces of Death has so far not deterred film critics.
The new version, distributed by Shudder, modernizes the 1978 cult classic by the same name. In the 2023 adaptation of Faces of Death, the story revolves around a female website content moderator who encounters a series of videos that gruesomely recreate death scenes from various movies. The film features a cast including Euphoria‘s Barbie Ferreira, Dacre Montgomery, Josie Totah, Charli XCX, Jermaine Fowler, and Aaron Holliday.
The initial critiques of Faces of Death are out, marking its debut with a decent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. From 10 reviews so far, the remake of Faces of Death has achieved a 60% rating on the Tomatometer. The audience’s score, or Popcornmeter, is still pending, and additional reviews may adjust the current rating.
The mixed reviews contributing to the current rating range from high praises like 4 out of 5 stars to more moderate ratings such as 2 out of 4 or 5 out of 10. Graeme Guttmann from ScreenRant provided a middle-of-the-road score of 5 out of 10, describing the film as a “well-directed horror thriller with too much on its mind.”
The theatrical release of Faces of Death is set for this Friday, April 10. The release will provide a clearer picture of the film’s reception and potential success.
Positive reviews could pave the way for Shudder or other interested parties to explore the possibility of a Faces of Death series. Following its 1978 debut, the original film spawned multiple sequels, including three official continuations and two unofficial follow-ups. The original creator also released a documentary in 1999 titled Faces of Death: Fact or Fiction?, which increasingly utilized “real” footage, cementing its status as a cult classic in the splatter horror genre.
Notably, most sequels of Faces of Death were released directly to video. With the current remake receiving a theatrical release, it could mark a new chapter for how these films are received on the big screen. Already, the Shudder remake is performing better than the original 1978 version, which only has a 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The future success of the film will ultimately depend on its performance at the box office as the weekend approaches and the fate of Faces of Death will become apparent.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
