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Image Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter
Vicious, a horror film starring Dakota Fanning, has been subtly moved from the big screen to streaming by Paramount Pictures. The movie was originally scheduled to hit theaters in February 2025 (8th August had been the original date), but it was canceled late last year while the studio looked for a new plan. Vicious will now make its exclusive debut on Paramount+ and digital platforms on 10th October, following its September premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin.
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Image Courtesy: Variety
Written and directed by Bryan Bertino, who has helmed films such as The Strangers and The Dark and the Wicked, 'Vicious' tells the terrifying tale of Polly (Fanning), who is thrown into a nightmare world where nothing is what it seems after receiving an enigmatic gift from a late-night guest. Kathryn Hunter, Mary McCormack, Rachel Blanchard, Devyn Nekoda, Klea Scott, and Emily Mitchell are among the supporting cast members.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
The streaming release represents Dakota Fanning's significant comeback to major roles in the horror genre and highlights her development as an actress from her days as a child star. This move is a strategic reflection of Paramount's increasing reliance on streaming for the release of mid-budget genre films. Streaming services like Paramount+ provide a more direct route to eager viewers searching for new, spine-tingling content this Halloween season, as theatre marketing expenses are increasing and consumer preferences are changing.
The film will have its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in the coming September
Vicious' 10th October release date puts it squarely within the peak window of the scary season and establishes it as one of Paramount+'s horror offerings. In the meantime, Fantastic Fest will act as its genre-focused premiere in September, giving critics and horror enthusiasts a sneak peek at Bertino's eerie filmmaking vision.
