The acclaimed French-Belgian thriller, Vincent Must Die, is set to be remade by a collaborative team including AR Content, Vertigo, and Blumhouse Atomic Monster. David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, known for his work on major Hollywood productions, will write and direct the new adaptation, marking his directorial debut.
Original Film’s Critical Acclaim
The original “Vincent Must Die,” directed by Stéphan Castang, premiered to significant praise at the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight sidebar in 2023. Variety described it as “a witty, grimy, timely parable for our paranoid and persecuted era,” highlighting its genre-bending qualities.
The film garnered widespread recognition, securing nominations for the Caméra d’Or in Cannes, best first film at the César Awards, and best actor for Karim Leklou and best first film at the Lumière Awards. Written by Mathieu Naert, Dominique Baumard, and Stéphan Castang, the original starred Karim Leklou, Vimala Pons, and François Chattot.
Plot and Remake Vision
The premise of “Vincent Must Die” follows an ordinary man named Vincent who suddenly becomes the target of physical attacks from anyone who makes eye contact with him. This unique and unsettling concept is what drew the remake team to the project, with IMDb suggesting a comparison to the “Near-Perfect ’28 Days Later’-Esque Fantasy Thriller,” which hints at its intense and survival-horror elements.
David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “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.” He brings a strong background in genre filmmaking, having previously written for films such as “Orphan,” “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” “Aquaman,” and “Insidious: Out of the Further.”
Producing Team and Expectations
The remake will be produced by Alexander Rodnyansky of AR Content, Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment, and Michael Clear for Blumhouse Atomic Monster. Michael Kupisk of AR Content will also produce, with Stuart Manashil serving as executive producer. The film was optioned by AR Content from Goodfellas, who are also onboard as executive producers.
Alexander Rodnyansky, whose AR Content company was founded by the two-time Academy Award-nominated producer of “Leviathan” and “Loveless,” praised the original film as “an extraordinary and thrilling piece of cinema.” He added, “David has created some of the most powerful and memorable films in the horror genre, and I have complete faith in his vision for this adaptation.”
Michael Clear, President of Atomic Monster, echoed this sentiment, remarking on Johnson-McGoldrick’s “keen sense of story and a knack for the cinematic experience.” The collaboration aims to bring “Vincent Must Die” to a wider global audience, leveraging the combined expertise of the producing studios. The project is seen as a significant upcoming entry in the horror and thriller genre.
