REVIEW: “Faces of Death” (2026)

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I clearly recall the uproar caused by John Alan Schwartz’s shocking horror film, “Faces of Death.” Originally shown in theaters in late 1978, the movie’s extremely graphic content led to censorship or bans in many countries. Despite this, it did well in cinemas and developed a dedicated cult following. However, the film gained even more notoriety after its release on VHS in 1983, becoming a frequent and often-discussed rental at video stores.

Director Daniel Goldhaber is revisiting “Faces of Death,” but with his own spin. Unlike the original, which felt like a disturbing mockumentary, Goldhaber’s version is a traditional narrative film that’s inspired by, rather than a remake of, the 1978 movie. The result is often surprisingly captivating and genuinely unsettling—at least until the final act. Unfortunately, the film loses its footing there, and a strange turn of events weakens what should have been a powerful conclusion.

“Faces of Death” 2026 smartly addresses our obsession with TikTok and social media. While not a deeply analytical film, it touches on how easily we become addicted to these platforms and how desensitized we’ve become to shocking content. The story centers on Margot, played by Barbie Ferreira, a young woman who has withdrawn from the world after her sister’s tragic death was broadcast live and went viral.

Margot moderates content for Kino, a video-sharing platform similar to TikTok. Her job involves watching submitted videos and marking any explicit material for warnings or removal. It’s a constant cycle of viewing, approving, or flagging content. However, she’s profoundly disturbed after seeing a video that appears to show a real beheading, with a calm voice providing a detailed narration. Shortly after, she finds another disturbing video from the same account, depicting an execution by electric chair.

I was completely captivated by Margot’s story! She noticed something deeply unsettling and, despite her boss Josh telling her to drop it, she just had to look into it. It was a huge risk – she bent the rules to investigate an account that seemed to be mirroring the gruesome scenes from the old, disturbing film “Faces of Death.” What started as a hunch quickly led her down a terrifying path, right into the orbit of a truly disturbed serial killer named Arthur. It became a battle of wills, a clash of obsessions, and ultimately, a horrifying confrontation with devastating consequences. I was on the edge of my seat!

The movie offers a strong foundation and some genuinely unsettling twists that horror fans will likely enjoy. Though the ending isn’t surprising, the build-up creates a real feeling of tension. However, the last twenty minutes or so suffer from some major plot holes. It starts with Margot turning to unbelievably incompetent police officers for help, followed by an equally unhelpful doctor. Ultimately, Margot makes a series of illogical decisions that are simply too silly to ignore.

While the movie stumbles at the very end, it doesn’t completely ruin “Faces of Death.” However, this weak finish prevents it from being as impactful as it aims to be, leaving it feeling somewhat disappointing. The ending could have worked if it hadn’t become so strange. Despite this, the film is still admirable for being a fresh take on the 1978 original, offering a unique approach instead of a remake. It’s a shame the director couldn’t fully realize all of his ideas.

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2026-04-08 17:57