Dakota Fanning Faces Nightmarish Ritual in Vicious Trailer
Paramount+ has unveiled the chilling first trailer for Vicious, a new horror film from The Strangers director Bryan Bertino, starring Dakota Fanning. The movie debuts at Fantastic Fest before streaming in October.
Paramount+ has dropped the official trailer for Vicious, a psychological horror film written and directed by Bryan Bertino. Known for redefining modern terror with The Strangers in 2008, Bertino returns with a new nightmare that blends ritual, memory, and reality. The film is set to premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 19, 2025, before arriving on Paramount+ and digital platforms October 10.
The trailer introduces audiences to Polly, played by Dakota Fanning, who receives a mysterious late-night visitor bearing a strange box. Inside is a ritual demanding three offerings: something you need, something you hate, and something you love. As Polly complies, she finds herself pulled into a warped world where survival depends on unraveling the box’s curse.
This marks a notable turn for Fanning, who has recently revisited the horror genre in films like The Watchers. With Vicious, she leads a cast that also includes Rachel Blanchard and Kathryn Hunter. Fans of Fanning’s earlier psychological roles will likely be intrigued by her return to dark and unsettling territory.
Bertino’s reputation looms large over the project. While The Strangers terrified audiences with its grounded home-invasion scenario, Vicious appears to pivot toward surreal, mind-bending terror. The contrast highlights Bertino’s evolution as a filmmaker, shifting from physical threats to psychological disintegration.
The supporting cast adds depth to the eerie setup, with Kathryn Hunter playing a character ominously referred to as Auntie P. Her cryptic presence in the trailer suggests that the nightmare Polly endures may be tied to disturbing family secrets or generational curses.
Beyond its narrative, Vicious signals Paramount+’s continued investment in exclusive horror content. By partnering with acclaimed directors and recognizable stars, the streamer aims to position itself as a destination for genre fans, joining the ranks of platforms like Hulu and Shudder that have staked claims in horror.
The release strategy is also noteworthy. With its festival debut timed just weeks before streaming release, Vicious seems primed to generate critical buzz while quickly reaching audiences at home. This approach reflects the growing trend of horror films thriving outside traditional theaters and finding massive success in digital launches.
As the October release approaches, horror fans can expect Vicious to tap into anxieties about choice, sacrifice, and memory. With Fanning at the center of a ritual gone wrong, the film looks poised to haunt viewers long after the credits roll.
