'Faces of Death' Franchise Inspires New Horror Thriller

A modern take on the infamous 'Faces of Death' documentary series explores the dark side of online content moderation.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:00am

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass and splintered wood, captured in dramatic high-contrast studio lighting to create a gritty, visceral aesthetic that conceptually represents the dark themes of the 'Faces of Death' franchise.The new 'Faces of Death' film explores the disturbing world of online content moderation, where the line between real and fake violence becomes increasingly blurred.Today in Jacksonville

A new horror film titled 'Faces of Death' takes inspiration from the notorious 1978 'mondo' documentary of the same name, which featured graphic footage of real deaths. In the updated version, a video content moderator named Margot at a Jacksonville website called Kino notices that a series of local murders are eerily similar to the killings depicted in the original 'Faces of Death' movie. As Margot investigates the connection, she finds herself targeted by a homicidal loner named Arthur who is using advanced tracking technology to stalk the Kino employees.

Why it matters

The 'Faces of Death' franchise has long been controversial for its depictions of real violence and death, and the new film explores how the proliferation of graphic online content has impacted modern society. The story also shines a light on the challenging and often traumatic work of content moderation, where employees must make difficult decisions about what material to allow or remove from websites.

The details

In the new 'Faces of Death' film, Margot works at the website Kino, where her job is to review flagged footage and determine whether it violates the site's policies around 'Nudity,' 'Self Harm,' and 'Child Abuse.' Her boss tells her not to be too judgmental, as 'DIY horror's trafficking right now' and the company needs to 'give the people what they want.' Meanwhile, a disturbed loner named Arthur, who works at a Verizon-like wireless store, begins stalking and abducting the Kino employees using advanced tracking technology he has access to through his job.

  • The original 'Faces of Death' documentary was released in 1978.
  • The new 'Faces of Death' film is set in the present day.

The players

Margot

A video content moderator at the website Kino who notices a connection between local murders and the original 'Faces of Death' film.

Arthur

A homicidal loner who works at a Verizon-like wireless store and uses his access to advanced tracking technology to stalk and abduct the Kino employees.

Kino

A Jacksonville website that employs video content moderators like Margot to review and make decisions about potentially problematic footage.

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What they’re saying

“'DIY horror's trafficking right now. Give the people what they want.'”

— Margot's Boss, Kino Website Manager

“'Cause it's a thrill. Plus, I get dental.'”

— Charli XCX, Kino Website Employee

What’s next

The film's director, Daniel Goldhaber, and co-writer, Isa Mazzei, are expected to continue promoting the new 'Faces of Death' movie through interviews and festival screenings in the coming months.

The takeaway

The 'Faces of Death' franchise's enduring legacy highlights the public's morbid fascination with graphic content, as well as the complex ethical issues surrounding the moderation of violent and disturbing online material. The new film explores these themes through a modern horror lens, offering a chilling commentary on the dark side of internet culture.