10 Horror Remakes That Completely Changed The Original

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Speak No Evil (2024)

Horror remakes are known for changing the tone or cinematography style, but some movies, like Speak No Evil, alter the originals more significantly. The announcement for the Hollywood version of Speak No Evil was surprising because the news broke one year after the release of the original 2022 Danish thriller. The original movie was quickly lauded as one of the best horror movies of the last five years, setting an extremely high bar for the 2024 version starring James McAvoy.

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Surprisingly, the 2024 version of the film thrived against all expectations because the creative team chose to diverge from the original in many ways – most notably, the ending of Hollywood’s Speak No Evil. This movie isn’t the first remake to completely change the source material. Many remakes have set themselves apart from the originals in theme, narrative style, plot, and characters, with varying levels of success.

10 Black Christmas (2019)

Sorority Sisters Try To Survive A Murderer

Black Christmas

Created by Roy Moore First Film Black Christmas (1974) Cast Olivia Hussey , Keir Dullea , Margot Kidder , John Saxon , Marian Waldman , Andrea Martin , Michelle Trachtenberg , Mary Elizabeth Winstead , Katie Cassidy , Lacy Chabert , Kristen Cloke , Imogen Poots , Aleyse Shannon , Lily Donoghue , Brittany O’Grady Expand

The original is a clear winner when comparing the 1974 and 2019 versions of Black Christmas, partly because of how the new version completely changes the ending. Rather than having a simple premise, the movie introduces a supernatural element at the last moment. The fraternity brothers are using an incantation and black liquid to possess new pledges with the spirit of the misogynistic Calvin Hawthorne.

The inclusion of spirits diminishes the crucial messages about rape culture and the patriarchy, which is also a shift from the commentary about abortion in the original Black Christmas. Unfortunately, due to poor execution of the themes and significant narrative changes, the remake simply isn’t as good as the original movie. The writers would have been better off updating the themes, keeping the subtlety in the script, and leaving out the supernatural twist entirely.

9 Susperia (2018)

A Dance Group Gets Caught Up In Witchcraft

Suspiria (2018) RMysteryHorrorFantasy Where to Watch

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Cast Tilda Swinton , Sylvie Testud , Mia Goth , Ingrid Caven , Jessica Harper , Malgorzata Bela , Dakota Johnson , Renée Soutendijk , Angela Winkler , Chloe Grace Moretz , Lutz Ebersdorf Director Luca Guadagnino Release Date November 2, 2018 Studio(s) Amazon Studios Distributor(s) Amazon Studios Writers David Kajganich Runtime 153 Minutes Budget $20 million Expand

The 1977 movie Susperia is only loosely related to the 2018 film of the same name. Although they have the same basic premise, the visuals, the color palette, character arcs, and violence are all different. The technicolor of the original might be more interesting to look at, but the darker, more muted color palette of the remake contributes to the frightening tone. The dancing is more central to the plot rather than being a background element. However, the most significant change comes in the form of the ending.

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Rather than defeating the witch in the remake of Susperia, Suzy ends up being the true witch. She kills the imposter and slaughters all the fake’s followers, creating a bloody good time for viewers. Suzy also grants the wishes of the followers who previously worshipped her. Ultimately, both versions of the movie have a lot of great things to offer, but the ending of the remake is more entertaining to watch.

8 Evil Dead (2013)

A Group Of Young Adults Awakens Deadites

Evil Dead (2013) RHorror

Cast Jane Levy , Shiloh Fernandez , Lou Taylor Pucci , Jessica Lucas , Elizabeth Blackmore , Phoenix Connolly , Jim McLarty , Sian Davis , Stephen Butterworth , Karl Willetts , Randal Wilson , Rupert Degas , Bob Dorian , Ellen Sandweiss , Jack Walley , Bruce Campbell Director Fede Alvarez Release Date April 5, 2013 Studio(s) TriStar Pictures , FilmDistrict , Ghost House Pictures Distributor(s) Sony Writers Fede Alvarez , Rodo Sayagues , Sam Raimi Character(s) Mia Allen , David Allen , Eric , Olivia , Natalie , Teenager , Harold , Old Woman , Toothless Redneck , Long-Haired Redneck , Abomination Mia , Demon , Professor Knowby , Cheryl , Billy Bob , Ashley ‘Ash’ J. Williams Runtime 91 Minutes Franchise(s) Evil Dead Sequel(s) Evil Dead Rise prequel(s) The Evil Dead (1981) , Evil Dead 2 , Army of Darkness Budget $17 Million Main Genre Horror Expand

At face value, there are very few differences between the original Evil Dead movie and the 2013 remake. Five characters go to a cabin in the woods, where they read a book bound by human flesh that summons a demon who conjures Deadites. However, the two horror movies are entirely different when it comes to their tone and visuals. In the remake, the five main characters don’t go out to the cabin for a fun time. They’re trying to help Mia detox from her opioid use disorder.

In the original movie, the book is titled
Necronomicon Ex-Mortis
, whereas it is called
Naturom Demonto
in the remake.

When she starts seeing things, they believe she’s hallucinating. This story element gives the movie a somber tone from the start. Evil Dead (2013) only gets more horrifying, dark, and serious as time goes on, removing the comedic elements in the original movie. The violence is more disturbing to watch with closeup gore and body horror, like a person cutting off their own arm. Despite having similar storylines and premises, the two couldn’t offer a more different viewing experience, which makes both the movies contenders for the best movie in the Evil Dead franchise.

7 The Invisible Man (2020)

A Man Uses Invisibility To Take Power

Invisible Man RHorror Sci-FiThriller

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Cast Zara Michaels , Storm Reid , Sam Smith , Oliver Jackson-Cohen , Anthony Brandon Wong , Aldis Hodge , Amali Golden , Harriet Dyer , Bianca Pomponio , Elisabeth Moss , Benedict Hardie Director Leigh Whannell Release Date February 28, 2020 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Leigh Whannell Runtime 124 minutes Budget $7 million Expand

Though they share the same source material and name, the 1933 movie The Invisible Man differs greatly from the eponymous 2020 movie. The original film focuses on the mad scientist Griffin, who finds a way to turn invisible but soon realizes he can’t reverse his visibility after taking the serum. Contrastingly, the remake of the movie focuses on the fear of technological advancements rather than scientific discoveries. The main character, Cecelia Kass, is the ex-partner of a wealthy, abusive man who develops technology to turn invisible at will. Unlike the original, this isn’t a permanent state of being.

While the original incorporates dark humor, the newer version is somber and tense. Moreover, The Invisible Man (2020) focuses on the themes of abuse, trauma, control, power, and how all these topics interact with one another. The only significant thematic crossover is the exploration of sanity. Ultimately, the deviations from the original movie allow the story to feel more relevant to modern audiences.

6 A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)

A Ghost Attacks Teenagers Through Their Dreams

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) RHorrorThriller

Cast Jackie Earle Haley , Kyle Gallner , Rooney Mara , Katie Cassidy , Thomas Dekker , Kellan Lutz Director Samuel Bayer Release Date April 30, 2010 Studio(s) New Line Cinema , Platinum Dunes Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Wesley Strick , Eric Heisserer Runtime 95 Minutes Franchise(s) A Nightmare on Elm Street Budget $35 Million Main Genre Horror Expand

The remake of A Nightmare On Elm Street is often accused of being a copy and paste of the previous movies, offering nothing new that sets it apart. However, the movie is entirely different when looking at it through the lens of the new Freddy Krueger backstory. In the original movie, Freddy was a child murderer prior to his death, killed by the parents living on the street he terrorized. His targets as a ghost are the children of the people who killed him.

In the remake, the villain was a child molester before his death, Freddy Krueger’s initial origin story. His targets as a ghost are the kids he previously sexually abused. With this in mind, A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010) becomes a tale about confronting and overcoming past trauma. The teens are survivors who can’t move forward from their past. This creates a powerful allegory, changing the perception of the events, even if they’re technically the same.

5 Carrie (2013)

A Bullied And Oppressed Teen Develops Telekinesis

Carrie R Where to Watch

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Cast Judy Greer , Chloe Grace Moretz , Julianne Moore Director Kimberly Peirce Release Date October 18, 2013 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Writers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa Runtime 1h 40m Budget 30million Franchise(s) Carrie Sequel(s) The Rage: Carrie 2 Expand

While both movies follow the basic premise set out in the Stephen King book, the two theatrically released movie adaptations of Carrie have very different character arcs for Carrie and Sue. One of the most significant shifts is Carrie White’s personality. In the 1978 version of the movie, Carrie is apprehensive of her abilities and does not use them by choice. Even the scene where she wreaks havoc on her classmates seems to happen in a trance rather than a fully conscious state.

In the 2013 version of Carrie, the titular main character happily embraces her telekinesis and uses it of her own accord. While this makes her feel more empowered, it also gives her a villain arc from the beginning. That being said, her upbringing and bullying still impact the final act of the movie. Additionally, the endings go in very different directions for Sue Snell. In the newer movie, Sue ends up being pregnant and in a mentally stable state rather than having PTSD.

4 Prom Night (2008)

A Killer Stalks Characters Leading Up On Prom Night

Prom Night (2008) PG-13HorrorThriller

Cast Scott Porter , Jessica Stroup , Dana Davis , Collins Pennie , Kelly Blatz , James Ransone , Brianne Davis , Johnathon Schaech , Idris Elba Director Nelson McCormick Release Date April 11, 2008 Studio(s) Newmarket Films , Alliance Films , Original Film , Prom Productions Distributor(s) Screen Gems , Sony Pictures Releasing Writers J.S. Cardone Runtime 90 Minutes Budget $20 Million Franchise(s) Prom Night Expand

The 1980 movie Prom Night has very few elements in common with the 2008 version outside of the prom setting. The original film has a murder-mystery element with an unknown, masked killer. The story offers multiple possible suspects. Ultimately, the narrative in the 1980 Prom Night is one of revenge, with the villain seeking retribution for an old covered-up murder. The newer movie has an entirely different structure, characters, and story.

The killer’s identity, Richard Fenton, is known from the start of Prom Night (2008), removing the murder mystery component. Fenton was previously a teacher who became obsessed with a student named Donna Keppel, making his motivation stalking and fixation. By the end of the newer Prom Night, Fenton has killed almost all of Keppel’s family. Interestingly, the new story could actually be a reference to the character Mr. Sykes from the 1980 movie, who behaved in a creepy and predatory way. Sadly, neither of these movies is particularly great or memorable, even for horror fans.

3 My Bloody Valentine (2009)

A Killer Called The Miner Terrorizes A Small Town On Valentine’s Day

My Bloody Valentine 3D RHorrorThriller

Cast Jensen Ackles , Jaime King , Kerr Smith , Edi Gathegi , Megan Boone , Tom Atkins , Kevin Tighe Director Patrick Lussier Release Date January 16, 2009 Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Todd Farmer , Zane Smith Runtime 101 Minutes Budget $14 Million Expand

When it comes to movie remakes, one usually beats out the other. Both versions of My Bloody Valentine are equally compelling, partly because they have very different approaches to storytelling. The 1981 version of My Bloody Valentine has a heavy focus on the curse of the town and the lore, making the titular holiday central to the plot. However, the 2009 version of this story has almost zero connection to Valentine’s Day, making the timing of the murders coincidental. Harry just so happens to come back to town at that time.

The newer version of the story also leans into the exploitation film genre, incorporating more sex and gore. The red herring character has different possible motives, with the original featuring revenge and the remake featuring homicidal rage. Lastly, the 1981 version of My Bloody Valentine does a lousy job of hiding the killer. The list quickly gets narrowed down to three options. The 2009 movie does a better job of keeping The Miner’s identity a secret until the end.

2 The Vanishing (1993)

A Man Tries To Track Down His Kidnapped Girlfriend

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The Vanishing (1993) RDramaHorrorMysteryThriller

Cast Jeff Bridges , Kiefer Sutherland , Nancy Travis , Sandra Bullock , Park Overall , Maggie Linderman , Lisa Eichhorn , George Hearn Director George Sluizer Release Date February 5, 1993 Writers Tim Krabbé , Todd Graff Runtime 109 Minutes Character(s) Barney , Jeff Harriman , Rita Baker , Diane , Lynn , Denise Cousins , Helene Cousins , Arthur Bernard Main Genre Thriller Expand

Like Speak No Evil, The Vanishing started out as a foreign film, and its ending was changed to be more hopeful. The original Dutch movie, Spoorloos, ended with Rex drinking drugged coffee and waking up in a box buried underground. He dies in the same way Saskia does as Raymond sits above ground reading a newspaper about the characters’ disappearances. With the original ending, the movie makes a bleak commentary about how people become evil.

However, The Vanishing (1993) alters the story by having Rita, the new girlfriend of Jeff (the American equivalent of Rex), find him and Barney (Raymond). She kills the kidnapper, and Jeff and Rita go on to write a book about their experience. This changes the core message of the ending to be about never giving up on love, a much more sappy message. Unfortunately, the new version of the movie wasn’t well-received like 2024’s Speak No Evil. Because of this change, The Vanishing is widely regarded as one of the worst Hollywood remakes of international horror movies (via Collider).

1 Speak No Evil (2024)

A Family Visits The Home Of A Family They Met On Vacation

Speak No Evil (2024) RHorrorThriller

Cast James McAvoy , Mackenzie Davis , Scoot McNairy , Alix West Lefler , Aisling Franciosi Director James Watkins Release Date September 13, 2024 Studio(s) Blumhouse Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers James Watkins Runtime 110 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand

The basic premise of Speak No Evil remains the same across both movies. Two couples and their children meet on vacation, and then one of the couples is invited to go to the other’s house for a week. It’s eventually revealed that the duo whose house it is kills other couples and kidnaps their children. However, 2024’s Speak No Evil changes the original movie in the way that the twist is revealed and the ending. In the original version, Bjørn discovers the truth. The 2024 movie has Ant, the kidnapped son of Ciara and Paddy, expose the truth to Agnes.

2024 Speak No Evil Character	2022 Speak No Evil Character
Ben	Bjørn
Louise	Louise
Paddy	Patrick
Ciara	Karin
Ant	Abel
Agnes	Agnes

When the original film wraps up, Abel (the Danish version of Ant) has drowned, and Patrick and Karin have brutally murdered Bjørn and Louise by stoning them to death. They’ve also taken Agnes as their new child. Hollywood’s version of the movie ends with Louise killing Ciara and Ant killing Paddy. The surviving couple drive off with Ant and Agnes in the car. Unlike The Vanishing, the new ending of Speak No Evil didn’t ruin the message or themes because the two movies are complementary to one another.

Sources: Collider

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Category: Entertainment