Director Darren Lynn Bousman, the maestro behind key entries in the Saw franchise (Saw II-IV, Spiral), and the brilliant Repo! The Genetic Opera is officially back. He’s bringing fans a new psychological horror film titled Twisted (formerly The Monster), which is already promising to push boundaries.
A Grueling R-Rating
Distributed by Paramount, the movie has received its official MPA rating, confirming its status as a grueling, intense ride. The Motion Picture Association has assigned Twisted a rigid “R” rating for an extensive list of graphic content:
“Strong/bloody violent content, gore, sexual assault, suicide, language and some sexual material.”
This extensive list of elements signals that Bousman, known for unflinching violence and moral complexity, is fully embracing the genre’s darkest aspects. And we are here for it.
The Game of Deception Gets Flipped
Twisted stars Lauren LaVera, fresh off her role as the heroic protagonist in Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3, whose release is days away. The film follows a pair of millennial con artists.
“Two millennials make quick money by leasing incredible New York City apartments they don’t own to people who don’t know they are being scammed. The con works brilliantly until they run into an apartment owner with a dark secret who flips the game on them.”
The narrative promises a thrilling reversal of fortune, where the hunters become the hunted, likely plunging the protagonists into the kind of sadistic trap typical of Bousman’s work.
A Cast of Horror Veterans and Power Players
Bousman has assembled a formidable cast to lead the film. LaVera is joined by Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou (A Quiet Place), Mia Healey, and Jeepers Creepers’ Gina Philips. The ensemble also features Jacob Lukas Anderson, Alicia Witt, and the always menacing Neal McDonough.
Jonathan Bernstein and James Greer penned the screenplay. Twisted is primed to be a definitive entry into the 2026 horror calendar, delivering the uncompromising, high-stakes terror promised by its “R” rating.
