‘Faces Of Death’ To Close Edinburgh’s Midnight Madness Strand

EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Goldhaber’s latest feature, Faces Of Death, starring Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria) and Charli xcx, has been picked up for the UK and Ireland by Signature Entertainment and will receive its UK premiere at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF).

Faces Of Death will be the closing title of Edinburgh’s Midnight Madness strand. 

The film, a reimagining of John Alan Schwartz’s 1978 film, follows a website content moderator (Ferreira) who becomes obsessed with a series of disturbing videos that seem to recreate scenes from the iconic Faces of Death film series. 

The film also stars Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things), Josie Totah (The Buccaneers), Aaron Holliday, and Jermaine Fowler (Sorry to Bother You).

Goldhaber directed from a screenplay that he co-wrote with Isa Mazzei (Cam). The film was produced by Greg Gilreath (Heart Eyes), Adam Hendricks (Heart Eyes), Susan Montford (Shoot ‘Em Up), and Don Murphy (Transformers: The Last Knight). Executive producers are Rick Benattar (Bullet Head), Derek Bishé, and Isa Mazzei.

“We were hooked from the start by this bold and highly commercial take on the beloved gore-filled cult classic,” Signature’s Senior Acquisitions Manager Katie Wilkinson-Javes said in a statement. 

“Led by a talented young cast who bring fresh energy to the franchise, the film delivers everything fans could want while introducing it to a new generation. We’re proud to launch at EIFF and then to bring the film to audiences across the UK and Ireland.”

Recent EIFF Midnight Madness titles include Alien: Romulus, The Substance, The Toxic Avenger, and Ben Wheatley’s Bulk. Chee Keong Cheung’s action thriller Bad Day at the Office will open the strand this year. 

“Midnight Madness is all about bold voices, movies that take risks, and filmmakers who embrace provocation,” EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd, said in a statement. 

“It is perfect that we close off this year’s selection with such a stylish and ingenious movie from director Daniel Goldhaber and co-screenwriter Isa Mazzei. These two have quietly been making some of the most exciting, edgiest movies of the past decade, and with Faces of Death, they have crafted a reboot that is fresh, modern, and full of ideas. It is also a total blast to watch with an audience. We are thrilled.”  

EIFF 2026 will run from 13 – 19 August.