The “Master of Horror” is officially stepping back into the shadows. John Carpenter—the legend behind Halloween, The Thing, and Escape from New York—is returning to our screens with a brand-new project that sounds like a total throwback to his grittiest work.
The series, titled “John Carpenter Presents,” is being produced by Carpenter and his long-time collaborator Sandy King Carpenter through their Storm King Productions label.
Cold, Dark, and Terrifying
If you loved the claustrophobic, icy dread of The Thing, you’re in luck. Season 1 of the new series is taking us to the remote wilderness of Alaska.
According to the official synopsis, a “diverse group of characters” will face a “chilling mix of supernatural and existential terror.” It’s based on a story by Amo and Pascoe, and it sounds exactly like the kind of isolated, high-stakes nightmare Carpenter excels at creating.
A New Winning Strategy: The “AHS” Model
Carpenter’s last foray into TV, the 2023 series “Suburban Screams“, was an episodic anthology—meaning a new story every week. It was fun, but it didn’t quite capture the same “cult classic” energy as his movies.
“John Carpenter Presents” is making a significant change that has fans much more excited. Instead of a new story every episode, the show will follow one story per season. This is the same model used by hits like “American Horror Story.” It allows for deeper character development, more complex mysteries, and a much larger sense of scale.
Carpenter’s Recent Resurgence
While it’s been a while since Carpenter sat in the director’s chair for a full feature film (2010’s The Ward was his last), he hasn’t been idle. He composed the killer scores for the recent Blumhouse Halloween trilogy. He directed the finale of Suburban Screams, proving he’s still got that visual flair. He’s also been hard at work on Storm King Comics.
Why Alaska?
Alaska has always been a goldmine for horror (think 30 Days of Night or True Detective: Night Country). The combination of endless night, freezing temperatures, and total isolation is the perfect playground for Carpenter’s brand of “existential terror.”
Hopefully, more news will surface soon. In the meantime, check out Storm King Comics.
