The original 1978 film, Faces of Death, achieved notoriety by purporting to show actual footage of death, becoming a viral sensation through illicit videotape trading. This blend of staged scenes and found footage, which led to bans in several countries, makes it an unconventional choice for a modern remake.

Reimagining Notoriety for a New Generation

Director Daniel Goldhaber, known for culturally engaged films like Cam and How to Blow Up A Pipeline, brings a contemporary perspective to the concept. He views the original as an inherently political object, noting its original context in the post-Vietnam era.

The Political Core of Mediated Violence

Goldhaber, 34, discussed the project over lunch in West Hollywood. He believes the original film explicitly linked domestic violence to genocide, suggesting it had significant underlying themes. Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, Goldhaber often felt disconnected in real life, finding connection through mediated platforms which he felt simultaneously disrupted his sense of self.

The journey to bring the new Faces of Death to fruition began around 2019 when Goldhaber and frequent collaborator Isa Mazzei pitched the project to Legendary Entertainment executives. The finished film is set for its world premiere on April 5 at the inaugural Beyond Chicago festival.

A Contemporary Spin on Found Footage

Goldhaber noted that the original film's special effects no longer hold up to modern scrutiny. “These aren't particularly convincing special makeup effects,” he stated, observing that audiences today have a more realistic understanding of violence.

The remake pivots to address modern media consumption. Goldhaber asks profound questions: What does it mean when the most cursed media is accessible instantly via smartphones? He finds it disturbing that major tech companies profit from this constant exposure to violence.

New Narrative Structure and Plot

Unlike the original’s scientist-interlocutor format, the new version features a narrative plot. The story centers on Margot, played by Barbie Ferreira, a young woman in Louisiana who isolates herself after experiencing internet notoriety.

Margot works as an online content moderator, constantly exposed to the internet's worst imagery. Her life takes a dangerous turn when she discovers videos that appear to be recreations of snuff scenes from the original Faces of Death. Her investigation draws the attention of the unstable creator, who targets her next, initiating a cat-and-mouse scenario.

Actor Charli XCX also appears in a supporting role as one of Margot’s co-workers, who maintains a detached attitude toward their disturbing job.

The Cast and Creative Collaboration

Barbie Ferreira, known for her role in Euphoria, connected deeply with the script by Goldhaber and Mazzei. While filming, she immersed herself in true crime podcasts and violent online content, requiring active effort to decompress afterward by watching wholesome shows like SpongeBob SquarePants.

Ferreira, who transitioned from online personality to acting, acknowledged the dual nature of the internet. “For me, the internet has always been this really incredible tool... But it's also very dangerous,” she explained, emphasizing her personal boundaries.

A Partnership Forged in High School

Goldhaber and Mazzei, who briefly dated in high school in Boulder, have maintained an enduring friendship and creative partnership. The film is formally credited on-screen as “a film by Isa Mazzei & Daniel Goldhaber,” reflecting their joint effort.

Mazzei praised Goldhaber’s inclusive directing style, noting that while his vision is present, the process is highly collaborative. She stressed that they conceived every step of the movie together, from initial concept to casting.

Inspiration from Content Moderation

A key inspiration for Goldhaber was his experience as a content moderator for an early internet company in the early 2010s. He observed how extreme content creators migrated between platforms, flooding new sites until they were shut down.

Goldhaber witnessed deeply upsetting material, which adjusted his perception of horror. This experience prompted him to create a film riffing on classics like Blow-Up and The Conversation—stories about individuals who discover something they cannot ignore.

The Struggle for Authenticity and Distribution

Goldhaber confirmed that some imagery used in the film is genuine, albeit carefully edited, online content. Securing the inclusion of real death footage in a wide-release theatrical film proved a major hurdle.

He explained that recontextualizing such content for a communal theater experience creates a “much greater sense of moral peril,” which was the provocation they sought. The film was completed around June 2024, but distribution took time to secure a partner willing to support their message.

Following the modest box office performance of How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Goldhaber aimed for a less prescriptive approach in his new work. He hopes the film encourages audiences to consider the moral calculus surrounding their engagement with contemporary media.