Blumhouse’s Atomic Monster, Vertigo Entertainment, and AR Content are joining forces to produce an American remake of the acclaimed French black comedy-horror film Vincent Must Die.
Renowned genre screenwriter David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick is attached to write and direct the feature, Variety reports.
A High-Concept Nightmare of Unprovoked Violence
Originally directed by Stéphan Castang, the original French film made waves across the festival circuit before arriving in U.S. theaters as part of a Halloween double bill alongside Hallow Road.
The story centers on Vincent. He’s an unremarkable office worker whose mundane existence disintegrates when total strangers, co-workers, and neighbors suddenly fly into homicidal rages the moment he makes direct eye contact with them. Forced to flee into the countryside and adapt to a secluded, hyper-vigilant lifestyle, the narrative balances sharp satirical comedy with relentless suspense and brutal survival tactics.
A Horror Screenwriting Veteran Steps Behind the Camera
Taking the helm for the English-language reimagining is David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, a seasoned architect of modern horror. While Vincent Must Die represents his feature directorial debut, Johnson-McGoldrick boasts an impressive screenwriting portfolio. He penned the cult-favorite shocker Orphan. He has also written cornerstone entries in The Conjuring franchise. That includes The Conjuring 2, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and The Conjuring: Last Rites.
Johnson-McGoldrick expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to step into the director’s chair. He also noted that he immediately fell in love with the original film.
“I’m so grateful to my collaborators at AR Content, Vertigo and Atomic Monster for bringing me this opportunity and trusting in my vision,” said Johnson-McGoldrick. “I immediately fell in love with the film, and so having a chance to step into this crazy world they created is a dream come true.”
Heavyweight Genre Producers Back the Adaptation
The remake is anchored by a formidable lineup of veteran horror producers, including Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment, Michael Clear of Atomic Monster, and Alexander Rodnyansky of AR Content.
Executive partners highlighted Johnson-McGoldrick’s keen sense of cinematic storytelling and proven track record of delivering powerful, memorable horror experiences. Reportedly, the new film will expand the original film’s dark, absurdly violent premise. And will make it a high-octane theatrical event tailored for a broader global audience.
Watch the Original
If you somehow missed the 2023 original, which holds a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, you can correct that right now. It’s streaming and for rent on Prime Video. It’s also available on Apple TV. Here’s a look back at the trailer.
