Boldly stepping back into the realm of horror, Dakota Fanning and Bryan Bertino have joined forces to bring a chilling new film titled Vicious to audiences via Paramount Pictures. But here's where it gets controversial — this movie's journey to release has been anything but straightforward. Initially slated for an August 8th theatrical debut, then bumped up to February 28th, it was ultimately removed entirely from Paramount's theatrical release calendar. Now, Vicious is set for a digital premiere and streaming on Paramount+ starting October 10th. To build excitement ahead of this, JoBlo's Mike Holtz had the opportunity to interview both Fanning and Bertino — and you can catch those conversations in the video embedded above.
Holtz also caught an early screening of the film at Fantastic Fest, offering his detailed thoughts in a review you can read through THIS LINK.
Penned by Bertino himself, Vicious casts Fanning as Polly, a young woman who receives a strange and unsettling gift from a mysterious late-night visitor. As she follows the instructions enclosed with the gift, she finds herself drawn into a terrifying spiral where reality warps and her very survival is at risk. Here's a deeper look at the story setup: Polly’s mysterious Box contains a simple demand — she must place three items inside: something she needs, something she hates, and something she loves. What begins as a curious, almost ritualistic act soon unravels into a nightmarish experience. Trapped in a surreal world where memory betrays and time slips away, Polly faces impossible decisions while confronting darkness both around and within her — a darkness threatening to devour all she holds dear.
Joining Dakota Fanning in the cast are notable names like Devyn Nekoda (Scream VI), Mary McCormack (The West Wing), Rachel Blanchard (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Kathryn Hunter (Poor Things), Klea Scott (Millennium), and Emily Mitchell (Ordinary Angels).
Produced by Atlas Independent, the film's production team includes Richard Suckle alongside Bertino as producers, with Melinda Whitaker serving as executive producer and Shane Boucher also contributing to production.
Bryan Bertino, known for making his directorial splash with the 2008 cult horror The Strangers, has carved a unique path in the genre. Since then, he’s directed Mockingbird (2014), co-written with Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, The Monster (2016), and The Dark and the Wicked (2020). He also penned the original script for The Strangers: Prey at Night, though it was rewritten and directed by others after his involvement. Meanwhile, the Strangers franchise continues independently of Bertino, with a trilogy under director Renny Harlin.
Prepare for intense scares: Vicious is rated R due to strong, bloody violence, some grim imagery, and harsh language.
Are you eager to dive into Vicious? After watching the interviews with Fanning and Bertino, share your thoughts in the comments below. Do you think this film might redefine modern horror, or is it heading down a familiar path? What are your expectations and fears about this movie?
About the Author:
Mike Holtz serves as a Horror News Editor and has a deep passion for cinematic storytelling—especially within the horror genre. His favorite films span a wide spectrum, including classics like the Friday the 13th series, George A. Romero's seminal Dead trilogy, Texas Chainsaw Massacre parts 1 and 2, and Let the Right One In. He's also drawn to cult hits such as The Evil Dead, Jaws, Tremors, and From Dusk Till Dawn, among many others. Beyond movies, Mike enjoys thrillers and slashers from the 80s, podcasts, animals, traveling (with a particular fondness for Brazil), visiting Cinema Wasteland conventions, classic rock like Led Zeppelin, and directors like Kevin Smith, Quentin Tarantino, and Paul Thomas Anderson. He's also a fan of authors such as Stephen King and Elmore Leonard, and has an enthusiasm for Marvel comics and the grindhouse/drive-in movie era.
