One of the most underrated fanged flicks ever made seems to be rising from the grave as a TV series! We’re talking about Near Dark, the absolute gem that starred the late, great Bill Paxton. This 1987 movie isn’t just a cult classic. It’s from Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow. And here’s the kicker: the series is from A24, known for its prestige in horror and unique storytelling.
The Return of Director Bigelow
“The Insneider” is teasing that Bigelow herself might even be involved in the series! This is massive news for fans. Bigelow is famous for her Oscar-winning work on The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. However, she has largely stayed out of the spotlight since her 2017 film Detroit.
For those who might need a refresher on the original film, it followed Caleb Colton, a young man whose life takes a terrifying turn when a beautiful drifter bites him. This unfortunate encounter forces him to join a nomadic pack of ruthless, traveling vampires.
From Movies to TV
While they may be a household name for film fans, A24 is still relatively new to the TV game. However, they are behind series like having produced acclaimed shows like “Ramy,” “Beef,” and “The Curse.” A “Near Dark” TV series would fit right into their apparent objective to revive classic horror IPs, as they’re also backing the highly anticipated revival of Friday the 13th with a prequel series titled “Crystal Lake.” It seems A24 is becoming the go-to spot for breathing new life into beloved horror franchises.
The original film boasted a fantastic cast, including Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein, Lance Henriksen, Jenny Wright, Adrian Pasdar, and Joshua John Miller. Upon its initial release, it was well-received by critics (it still holds a solid 83% on Rotten Tomatoes), and despite its underwhelming box office performance, the film has rightfully earned its status as a cult classic. It’s widely regarded as one of the best and most unique executions of the vampire horror subgenre, eschewing gothic tropes for a gritty, Western-infused take on bloodsuckers.
Something to Sink Your Teeth Into
The idea of A24 bringing their signature style and quality to a “Near Dark” TV series, potentially with Bigelow’s involvement, is enough to make any horror fan’s pulse quicken. Keep your eyes peeled for more news. In the meantime, take a look at the movie trailer below. If you want to sink your teeth into the film, you can watch it now on Shudder.
