The cult-classic Witchcraft franchise is officially ditching the camp and diving headfirst into the abyss. If you thought you knew what to expect from this franchise, think again. Deathstalker Productions has just revealed that the next installment, Witchcraft: The Lanterne of Light, is currently in development, and it sounds like a total psychological gut-punch.
Here is everything we know about the project that’s promising to “reclaim and reimagine” the series.
A New Creative Vision
The franchise is shifting gears by bringing in Carissa Pierson to direct. Pierson isn’t looking to make a standard slasher; she’s known for a grounded, atmosphere-heavy style. Her goal? To move away from cheap thrills and toward a story rooted in folklore, psychological terror, and emotional collapse.
Helping Pierson steer the ship is Guthrie Lowe, joining as First Assistant Director. Lowe is coming off the psychological horror film A Soldier’s Descent, so he knows exactly how to handle intense, character-driven sets. Together, they’re aiming for a tone that feels intimate, invasive, and—honestly—a little dangerous.
Legacy Characters with a Dark Twist
Longtime fans have a lot to be excited about, as some heavy hitters from the Witchcraft mythology are making their return, though they might not be the heroes you remember.
The legendary William Spanner is back. This time, however, we’re seeing him through a “darker, more intimate lens.” He’s the bridge to the franchise’s past, but he’s clearly carrying some fresh trauma.
In a big casting move, Kristina Lafser is joining the universe to portray the legacy character Keli Jordan. The production team is promising a “fresh emotional perspective” on a figure deeply rooted in the series’ lore.
Religion, Paranoia, and Blood
Set against the backdrop of North Carolina folklore, the film is being shot as a found-footage occult horror. But forget the shaky-cam clichés; Pierson is using the format with “restraint and intent” to make you feel like a fly on the wall for a total moral meltdown.
The film explores The Children of the Hollow: A secretive pagan cult founded by an exiled priest who was obsessed with the concepts of sin and purification.
The central MacGuffin is a “blood-fed relic,” called “The Lantern of Light” tied to a forbidden text and the Seven Deadly Sins.
You can expect a heavy focus on religious paranoia and the corrosive nature of power. It’s less about jump scares and more about the “unraveling of faith.”
This Is Not a “Safe” Sequel
The producers aren’t pulling any punches with their marketing. They’ve made it clear that this isn’t a nostalgia trip meant to make you feel warm and fuzzy about the old movies. They are leaning into mythological depth and psychological weight.
“This is not nostalgia. This is not safe. This is Witchcraft—ready to burn.”
