The new trailer for the upcoming release, Gretel & Hansel, looks to reinvent the classic folktale for modern horror audiences.
Everything that is old is new again. That is the approach that director Osgood “Oz” Perkins (The Blackcoat’s Daughter) and writer Rob Hayes (Chewing Gum) are taking in their newest horror flick, Gretel & Hansel. The upcoming release stars Sophia Lillis (Sharp Objects) as Gretel, Sammy Leakey as Hansel, and Alice Krige and Jessica De Gouw as the present and young Holda respectively.
The upcoming release takes a decidedly adult spin on the classic tale of Hansel & Gretel, which was written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. However, the story may actually date back to the Great Famine in medieval times, which would explain the tale’s dark underpinnings. In the new adaptation, Gretel takes the lead and audiences can expect many of the tropes from the classic tale to get turned on their head. The new trailer for the film reveals the sinister tone horror fans can expect in theaters later this month. Take a look:
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Gretel & Hansel Brings Back the Classics
Gretel & Hansel retells the classic folktale about a brother and sister who find themselves lost in the wilderness after being abandoned by their parents. Just as the starvation begins to kick in, the siblings happen upon a house made of cake and candy. An older woman invites them in and feeds them copious amounts of food and sweets in return for chores. The duo eventually discover that the woman is actually a witch with a devious plan. She was feeding them in an effort to fatten them up and cook them in her oven. The kids turn the tables on the witch and push her into the oven instead, escaping with her wealth.
The story is ripe with elements tailor-made for the horror genre, including witches, forced servitude, and cannibalism. With all of the retreads found in Hollywood, it’s actually surprising that this 300-year old tale hasn’t been tapped more by eager producers over the years. It’s also worth noting that the film is being produced by Orion Pictures. The company’s logo is nearly synonymous with blockbuster releases in the 80’s and 90’s – ranging from The Terminator to The Silence of the Lambs – and they are now back in the theatrical game after many years in the shadows, due to legal entanglements.
It seems that all the elements are in place for a truly terrifying time in the theaters this January.
Official Synopsis: A long time ago in a distant fairy tale countryside, a young girl leads her little brother into a dark wood in desperate search of food and work, only to stumble upon a nexus of terrifying evil.
Gretel & Hansel will be released theatrically on January 31st, 2020.
What did you think of the new trailer? Are you excited for the upcoming horror? Let us know in the comment section below!
