Nobody does creepy-ass versions of childhood quite like Guillermo del Toro. As shown in his own films, like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Devil’s Backbone, and those he’s produced, like Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark and Mama, it’s always scarier to see things through children’s eyes. This is why we’re so stoked for the upcoming Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the anthology horror film based on the seminal book series by Alvin Schwartz.
We’ve finally gotten a full trailer for it following a few brief teases during the Super Bowl, and hooooo-ly crud, we’re already terrified.
While the books were ostensibly for kids (I read them in…first grade, I think?), the movie seems to be taking a much darker tone than something like, say, the much more family-oriented Goosebumps films. We’re all for this, of course, and are very excited to see just how grim the film gets. We could see this easily getting an R rating, if that’s what they’re looking for.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is directed by Trollhunter and The Autopsy of Jane Doe director André Øvredal. It features stories adapted by John August, Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan, Dan and Kevin Hageman, and del Toro. It’s coming out August 9, and we think that’s way too long a wait. Can we just have it now, please?
Image: CBS Films
Kyle Anderson is the Associate Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Twitter!