Horror fans eager for Dakota Fanning’s next chilling performance won’t have to wait until it hits the big screen—because it won’t. The upcoming feature Vicious, written and directed by Bryan Bertino (The Strangers), will debut later this year exclusively on streaming and digital instead of in theaters.
Paramount Pictures had originally scheduled Vicious for an August 2024 theatrical release before moving it to February 28, 2025. Late last year, the studio pulled the film entirely from its theatrical calendar. Now, under decisions made by Paramount’s previous leadership before the Skydance merger, the film is set to premiere on Paramount+ and digital platforms October 10—just in time for spooky season.
Before streaming, Vicious will make its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin next month, joining other genre titles like Paramount’s Primate, Sony’s Sisu: Road to Revenge, Universal’s Black Phone 2, and Lionsgate’s The Strangers — Chapter 2.
The film stars Fanning as Polly, a woman who receives a mysterious gift from a late-night visitor and becomes trapped in a terrifying world where reality is not what it seems. The cast also includes Kathryn Hunter, Mary McCormack, Rachel Blanchard, Devyn Nekoda, Klea Scott, and Emily Mitchell.
Shifting a horror release from theaters to streaming isn’t as common these days—especially after recent box office successes for genre films—but Vicious aims to give fans an at-home scare in time for Halloween. It’s a move reminiscent of 2023’s Five Nights at Freddy’s, which debuted day-and-date in theaters and on Peacock, though that film’s sequel will be theater-only.
With Fanning’s recent credits including The Watchers, The Equalizer 3, Ripley, and The Perfect Couple, expectations are high for her latest foray into horror. And with Bertino at the helm—best known for The Strangers—this could be one of the most unsettling home-viewing experiences of the year.
Personally, I was really looking forward to seeing Dakota Fanning’s latest work on the big screen, but there’s something about watching a horror film at home, lights off, and volume cranked up that can be even more unnerving. Looks like my Halloween watchlist just found its headliner.