Thescreescore – Prepare to abandon all preconceived notions of yellow brick roads and whimsical adventures. Elijah J. Alvarez’s debut feature, Dorothy: The Haunting of Oz, promises a gruesome reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic, plunging audiences into a nightmarish vision far removed from the technicolor dreamscape. First-look images, courtesy of Bloody Disgusting, reveal a chilling transformation of iconic characters, hinting at the psychological and visceral horrors that await.
Alvarez’s film, produced under his Buddy Pictures banner, transplants the familiar tale to Halloween night in Marin County, California. Here, a group of college basketball players find themselves ensnared in a terrifying game of survival against grotesque incarnations of Dorothy, the Wicked Witch, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and a gang of murderous clowns. As the campus descends into chaos, each kill unearths deeper psychological wounds and unsettling visions of Oz, blurring the lines between predator and prey. The cast includes Michael Sullivan, Logan Laurel, Heidi Appe, Melissa Foster, Aaron Byrd, Rocky Velasco, Angela Michaela, Yvonne Orozco, and Ava Barone.
According to Bloody Disgusting, Dorothy: The Haunting of Oz delves into themes of self-identity, cycles of trauma, and the power of myth, seamlessly blending elements of psychological thriller, supernatural slasher, coming-of-age drama, and science fiction. Alvarez himself describes the film as a reflection of the Gen Z student-athlete experience, drawing inspiration from genre-bending works like Get Out and Sinners.
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Currently in post-production, Dorothy: The Haunting of Oz is slated for a 2026 release. The timing of the announcement is no coincidence, as it strategically leverages the buzz surrounding the upcoming Wicked: For Good, set to hit theaters on November 21. Will this bloody reimagining capture the hearts (and terrify the minds) of audiences? Only time will tell if this dark twist on a timeless tale will find its own place over the rainbow, or fade into the shadows of Oz.
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