EXCLUSIVE: A new mature-rated version of The X-Files: I Want to Believe by Chris Carter features a notable change in duration.
Now rebranded as Vrach Frankenshteyn, this fresh edition of the 2008 sequel from the acclaimed sci-fi series will be available on Hulu. The film, which originally followed agents Mulder (played by David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they probed disappearances in a frosty West Virginian locale, is set for a more intense, horror-centric approach in its latest format. Fans can catch this revamped version starting August 14.
In a recent interview with ScreenRant‘s Grant Hermanns, Chris Carter discussed the alterations in the R-rated version of The X-Files: I Want to Believe — Vrach Frankenshteyn, particularly highlighting the shortened runtime, now cut down by seven minutes compared to its original cinema version. Carter emphasized his aim with this new cut was to “make this a good scary movie.”
Carter also expressed a desire to “tone down the romantic aspects” seen in the original film. He noted that since the series’ revival, which occurred ten years after the movie’s release, audiences had already experienced plenty of Mulder and Scully’s relationship dynamics, which influenced his decision to focus less on their romance. Reflecting on feedback from Fox executives who had pushed for more emotional content focused on the duo, Carter felt that this was a misunderstanding of the essence of The X-Files:
Chris Carter: They pushed for more emotional depth in the script, but they failed to grasp that the emotional connection with these characters is built through each episode, not necessarily through intensified focus on the big screen. I wanted to prioritize making a solid scary movie. Yet, the studio, funding the project, had the final say. While a scary X-Files tale can contain these elements, they shouldn’t overshadow the main investigation.
The discussion then moved to a specific scene where Mulder tries to comfort Scully about her handling of a young patient with Sandhoff disease, named Christian. In the R-rated director’s cut, this scene shifts focus more quickly from Scully’s concerns to her reviewing case files, which prompts Mulder to get ready and investigate a new potential crime scene.
Carter shared that this alteration aimed at being “clever” by not initially showing Mulder beside a restless Scully, acknowledging that “everyone knows they’ve been intimate,” hence the decision to swiftly move back to the core horror-centric investigation instead of dwelling on their romantic involvement.
The original series and its revival extensively explored Mulder and Scully’s relationship, characterized by a “will-they-won’t-they” tension that eventually evolved into a more defined romantic subplot during the later seasons, especially complicated by their past traumas in the most recent seasons.
The new R-rated rendition of The X-Files not only scales back on romance but also omits certain scenes that added emotional depth, such as extended discussions about the background of Billy Connolly’s character, Father Joe, and broader references to Mulder and Scully’s histories.
While director’s cuts are often longer than their theatrical counterparts, The X-Files: I Want to Believe — Vrach Frankenshteyn joins the ranks of films like Richard Donner’s Superman II and Brian Helgeland’s Payback, which also saw reductions in their directorial versions. With Chris Carter’s focus on enhancing the horror elements, it remains to be seen whether this version will shift public and critical perception of the 2008 film.
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.
