Hollywood is finally delivering on a threat made all the way back in 2018: Terrified, one of the scariest movies ever, is getting a remake. The haunting original, from Argentinian filmmaker Demián Rugna, was released in 2017 but came to wider attention stateside the following year after Shudder picked it up. Then, Rugna himself saw his profile raised with 2023’s When Evil Lurks, which is also worthy of “one of the scariest movies ever” status. Now, we know who will be taking on the long-delayed Terrified do-over, and while we’re big fans of Noah Hawley (Alien: Earth), we can’t help but think there’s no point in messing with near-perfection.
The Hollywood Reporter got the Hawley scoop and softens the blow with a little more context. For one thing, Rugna will still be involved in the project.
“Hawley is set to direct and produce the feature, which is being developed with Demián Rugna,” the trade writes. “The project will be a reimagining of the 2017 film, which centers on a police officer and a series of paranormal researchers and investigators who attempt to get to the bottom of supernatural occurrences that are centered in one neighborhood in Buenos Aires.”
That description is accurate as to the plot details, but it doesn’t capture the way you feel while you’re watching Terrified. The title is aptly given, of course, but the film also cultivates an atmosphere of sheer dread from its harrowing opening scene. You’ll be looking over your shoulder and checking under the bed for weeks after. People in the movie die in horrible ways and sometimes return, and the very fabric of reality starts to distort the more the mystery deepens.
Also, while Terrified shares some DNA with haunted house movies, the fact that its story encompasses a particularly unlucky neighborhood makes it even more unique. We also love any sort of paranormal-investigator subplot, and Terrified puts an especially disturbing spin on the trope.
It could be worse. It could be a less talented name than Hawley being handed the keys to Rugna’s frightening concept. Or it could be a less talented name trying to recapture the uniquely distressing possession horror of When Evil Lurks—presumably, that’s a nightmare we should anticipate happening eventually.
Rugna’s Terrified is still available on Shudder, as is When Evil Lurks, if you want to plan on some sleepless nights ahead.
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