FACES OF DEATH
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In this episode of Best Movies Never Made, hosts Josh Miller and Steven Scarlatta dive deep into the infamous cult phenomenon Faces of Death, a 1978 exploitation documentary that blurred the line between reality and fiction. The episode features JT Petty, writer and director of The Burrowers and a key figure in the failed 2007 remake attempt, who shares his origin story—from a low-budget student film that gained unexpected acclaim to becoming Ubisoft’s sole English-language screenwriter during the PS2 era. Petty recounts how Faces of Death, despite being largely staged, terrified a generation with its mix of real footage and reenactments, particularly the infamous monkey brain scene. The hosts reflect on the pre-internet era’s vulnerability to such hoaxes and the lasting psychological impact on viewers. Petty then details his ambitious, multi-year script for a modernized remake, which reimagined the film as a YouTube-based conspiracy thriller where users upload violent videos to gain access to a hidden online world. The script, inspired by the internet’s dark undercurrents and the banality of evil, featured a meta-narrator role for Dr. Gross (a nod to the original film’s host) and a chilling post-credits scene. Despite passionate development and multiple studio transitions, the project ultimately died due to corporate collapses and shifting priorities. The episode closes with reflections on how Faces of Death remains a rite of passage for horror fans, a cultural artifact that continues to haunt the imagination even in the age of digital overload.
Faces of Death was a masterclass in psychological manipulation, blending real footage with meticulously crafted reenactments to create a terrifying illusion of authenticity.
The infamous monkey brain scene used a foam rubber head, gelatin brain, and red dye—proving that even the most disturbing images were fake, though the emotional impact was real.
JT Petty’s proposed remake reimagined the original as a modern internet horror, where a hidden website rewards users with violent videos in exchange for their own snuff content.
The project’s longevity—over a decade of drafts and studio changes—highlights how passion projects can outlive the companies that nurture them.
The film’s legacy endures not because it’s real, but because it tapped into a primal fear: the idea that something deeply disturbing could be just one click away.
Introduction to Faces of Death and JT Petty
Hosts Josh Miller and Steven Scarlatta introduce the episode, welcoming JT Petty, writer and director of The Burrowers and a key figure in the failed Faces of Death remake. They set the stage for a deep dive into the cult status and legacy of the original film.
JT Petty’s Origin Story: From Student Film to Game Writing
Petty shares his journey from making a $6,000 student film at NYU that was rejected by Sundance, only to be rediscovered and accepted two years later after a viral New York Post article. He then recounts how he stumbled into video game writing at Ubisoft during the PS2 era.
The Birth and Mythos of Faces of Death
“The fake monkey brains that you were eating right there was probably 10 times worse than the real monkey brains that you could get in Southeast Asia.”
The 2007 Remake Attempt: A Modern Conspiracy Thriller
“I wanted to make a conspiracy movie that didn't have a conspiracy at the center of it—so all of these murders are happening because a system has built itself online that feels like a plan, but isn't really a plan.”
The Legacy of Dr. Gross and the Banality of Evil
“He's in a wheelchair because he's an old man and there's a scene where she knocks him out of the chair, but then he just gets up. So even that was a lie.”
“I wanted to make a conspiracy movie that didn't have a conspiracy at the center of it—so all of these murders are happening because a system has built itself online that feels like a plan, but isn't really a plan.”
“The fake monkey brains that you were eating right there was probably 10 times worse than the real monkey brains that you could get in Southeast Asia.”
“He's in a wheelchair because he's an old man and there's a scene where she knocks him out of the chair, but then he just gets up. So even that was a lie.”
Hosts
Guest
Faces of Death
media
Dr. Francis Gross
other
JT Petty
person
Ubisoft
organization
Rogue Pictures
organization
John Allen Schwartz
person
Sandman
media
Splinter Cell
other
Mondo Kane
media
Bill Zabub
person
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