Faces of Death Review: Barbie Ferreira and Dacre Montgomery Navigate a Disturbing Horror Reboot
The creators of the new Faces of Death film have positioned it as a commentary on society’s increasing desensitization to violence and the ethical implications of consuming violent media. They claim their intention is to “hold a mirror up to the toxic media ecosystem we live inside of.” However, the filmmakers reveal their true intentions by describing the project as “an exploitation of an iconic exploitation film.”
Overview of the Film
Faces of Death, directed by Daniel Goldhaber, is set to release on April 10. The film features a cast that includes Barbie Ferreira, Dacre Montgomery, Josie Totah, and Charlie XCX. The runtime is 1 hour and 38 minutes, and it carries an R rating.
The original Faces of Death, released in 1978, is a notable entry in the “mondo horror” genre, which blends documentary and horror elements. It featured graphic footage of various deaths, some real and others staged. This low-budget film became a cult classic, spawning numerous sequels and establishing a niche market for morbid content.
Plot Synopsis
The reboot centers on Margo, portrayed by Barbie Ferreira, who works as a content moderator for a video-sharing platform called Kino. Margo’s character has a troubled past linked to her own experiences with internet fame. Her job requires her to sift through disturbing content, making quick decisions about what to allow on the platform.
Margo’s supervisor, played by Jermaine Fowler, exhibits a cavalier attitude towards the graphic videos, urging her to “give the people what they want.” This sets the stage for Margo’s internal conflict as she grapples with the morality of her work.
As Margo begins to notice that some of the videos resemble those from the original Faces of Death, she suspects they may be real. This suspicion leads her to discover a VHS copy of the original film in her office library, prompting her to make comparisons that reveal a disturbing connection.
The Antagonist
The videos are linked to a serial killer named Arthur, played by Dacre Montgomery. Arthur is depicted as a menacing figure, wearing red contact lenses and a mask to conceal his identity. He captures and tortures his victims, keeping them imprisoned in his basement. As Margo gets closer to uncovering the truth, Arthur realizes she poses a threat to his activities.
Their eventual confrontation reveals Arthur’s twisted motivations. He expresses a disturbing pride in his work, stating, “It’s the attention economy, and baby, business is booming!” His character reflects a meta-narrative on the nature of fame and the consumption of violent media.
Critical Reception
Despite the film’s ambitious themes, it has been critiqued for lacking depth. The narrative culminates in a familiar horror trope where the protagonist confronts the villain, a structure that feels predictable. While Ferreira’s performance is noted as compelling, Montgomery’s portrayal of the killer is described as effectively unsettling.
The film’s title, Faces of Death, may have generated expectations based on the original, but it appears to fall short of delivering a fresh perspective. The release strategy, which marks it as IFC Films’ widest release to date, raises questions about the public’s appetite for such content.
As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.
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Published on 2026-04-06 07:30:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk