FACES OF DEATH is a horror movie remake that has been updated and even includes lots of references to the original in the plot. I especially enjoyed the focus on issues with fame and social media. The downside was that I got annoyed with the main protagonist. Fortunately, she’s portrayed by Barbie Ferreira, who does a great job. Read our full Faces of Death movie review here!
FACES OF DEATH is a horror movie that could be called both a reimaging and a modern-day remake. In essence, it’s a little bit of both as it directly utilizes the buzz and drama surrounding the original 1978 movie while creating a new plot. What both still have in common is the question of “Is this real or fake?”
For this 2026 release, which was actually shot in 2023 with an expected release in 2024 (as revealed by the use of a hashtag including the year 2024), we’re doing a deep dive into videos being released on social media. With a focus on people wanting to create that viral content that will make them famous – or infamous. Either seems to be fine.
Continue reading our 2026 Faces of Death movie review below. Find it in theaters from April 10, 2026.
Can you tell what’s real?
In Faces of Death, we follow a young woman, Margot (Barbie Ferreira), who works as a content moderator for a very popular app. On this app, people upload videos and hope that their content will be the next thing to go viral. In an attempt to garner attention, people go to extremes and create videos that become increasingly outrageous.
It’s very difficult to tell what’s real and what’s fake. So, when Margot comes across an entire series of violent videos showing brutal deaths, she wants to investigate further. Her boss isn’t too happy about this, as she should move along quickly. Also, the videos are popular.
However, Margot soon realizes the videos are reproducing death scenes from the 1978 movie Faces of Death. Also, she thinks she recognizes one of the victims from a missing person’s case. As a result, she goes all-in on getting to the bottom of it all.
She continues in the real world, as she believes a real-life serial killer is recording actual murders and getting famous online for it.
A strong cast makes it work
The three key characters in Faces of Death (2026) are portrayed by Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria, Nope), Jermaine Fowler (Appofeniacs), and Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things). There are many other amazing actors in this movie, including Aaron Holliday (Cocaine Bear), Josie Totah (Moxie), and even Charli XCX.
What annoyed me the most about Faces of Death, and I have to mention it because I’m guessing I won’t be alone in this, was the actions of the main protagonist. This would be Margot. Far too many times, she does what Sidney Prescott lamented was the problem with horror movies: A woman runs up the stairs when she should be heading out the front door.
No, not literally.
Still, in way too many instances, you want to scream (pun intended) at the character to get moving. This was irritating because she was one of the few characters who knew the actual dangers around her. In any case, it wasn’t so bad that it ruined the movie. And yet, it could have been dialed back (a lot!) and resulted in a much better experience.
Watch the 2026 Faces of Death movie in theaters
This 2026 version of Faces of Death was directed by Daniel Goldhaber, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Isa Mazzei. As already mentioned several times, I was annoyed with some of the actions of our heroine. However, I also really liked the social commentary focused on what is allowed on social media, and what isn’t. There are some brilliant examples as we see Margot at work.
Interestingly, Daniel Goldhaber has worked briefly as a content moderator for a social media startup, so he’s witnessed this up front. If you’ve ever flagged a video or post, you’ll know that a lot is allowed. Meanwhile, other videos are taken down for extremely dubious or strange reasons.
WATCH THIS IF YOU LIKED…
Daniel Goldhaber and Isa Mazzei also worked together on the 2018 movie Cam, which starred the always-brilliant Madeline Brewer. If you haven’t watched that one already, then make sure you do. Also, if you’ve already watched and liked it, then you should be happy with their latest project. I know I was. Despite my misgivings about certain actions, Faces of Death ends in a way that I truly enjoyed.
Faces of Death (2026) is out in theaters on April 10, 2026.
📺 Watch trailer
Plot
In FACES OF DEATH, the exploration of the original film’s infamous “is it real or not?” conceit continues as a woman working as a content moderator for a major video platform discovers what appears to be re-enactments of murders from the original film. In an online world where nothing can be trusted, she must determine whether the violence is fiction, or unfolding in real time.
Details
Director: Daniel Goldhaber
Writers: Daniel Goldhaber & Isa Mazzei
Stars: Barbie Ferreira, Dacre Montgomery, Josie Totah, Aaron Holliday, Jermaine Fowler, Charli XCX
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