“So awful. Nice find!”
Story: Margot works for Kino, a social media company, helping to filter out unacceptable content. Employees aren’t allowed to talk about what they’re seeing on the job. Bosses don’t want to alert police because it might hurt the platform. So when she stumbles upon videos of deaths that look way too real, will anybody do anything? Y’know, besides the killer tracking her down…
Scares: The idea that some people actually do want to see people die
Splat Factor: Bloody kills. Realistic wounds.
Subgenre: Slashy Social Media Critiques
Year Released: 2026
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Based on – or rather uses as a launch pad – the original Faces of Death.
Trick or Treat?: When I saw the title of this film, I was skeptical. The OG Faces was a weird mix of real and fake, and a remake sounded like a bad idea. But this film uses that film as a springboard for a critique of our world in the social media era. It doesn’t always land, but it’s in-your-face message hits hard.
This film shows how easily bad guys can get your information. Split screen shows Margo scrolling on Reddit, and Arthur using a malicious link to gain access to her location. Now, I don’t know anything about computer stuf. But damn this feels believable.
In the third act, the obsession with taking Arthur down causes Margot to ignore another victim, and things quickly go south for both women. It shows how people can be so focused on themselves, as Margot begs for help. Are we all so pulled into our own lives that we can’t see the lives of others? This film says yeah, pretty much. With all the heavy handed messaging here, you’d think this would be a chore. It’s not.
As Margot, Barbie Ferreira has a determined, bruised energy that’s damn impressive. Dacre Montgomery’s Arthur is a perfect description of the quiet one with the power trip. The climax between these two actors is amazing. Add in great editing, and it’s worth watching this film for those moments alone. The smash cut to black at the end hits better than any gotcha moment has done for me this year.
Death points at the disinterest of social media companies to do anything to stop actually harmful content. Think of this as horror’s version of the upcoming The Social Reckoning. Just with more screaming.
Score: 3.5 out of 5 pumpkins.
