The new adaptation of Lord of the Flies will be a “psychological horror” film.

Director Luca Guadagnino (Suspiria, bones and all) is currently developing a new film adaptation of the classic novel Lord of the Flies. He is developing it with the producer Lindsey Anderson Beer, who recently offered some insights into the film. He explained that this version of the film will rely heavily on “psychological horror.” Speaking to Collider, Beer joked:

“It leans very heavily into psychological horror and is as rich in character drama as you would expect from someone like that [Guadagnino]. But it’s scary. It makes you very uncomfortable to read it, and I think it draws on a more current version than we’ve seen before.

Beer went on to say:

“I think some people tried to approach that property in a way that no longer resonates today, and I think the whole approach was very fresh and refreshing.”

I’m not surprised by the psychological horror direction they are taking the movie because the story is 100% psychological horror! I remember reading that book for the first time and it really unfolds like a horror story!

The 1954 novel was written by William Golding, and delves into the inherent evil and ferocity of human beings. The story is set during a fictional war in which a plane carrying a group of British schoolchildren crashes on a desert island. Without adult supervision, the kids initially try to organize themselves by using a conch to call assemblies and establish rules. However, as time passes, their social structure begins to crumble. The fear of a mythological beast, the call of the hunt and the struggle for power lead to a division between them. The boys’ descent into anarchy and savagery culminates in tragic events.

Lord of the Flies has had three film adaptations so far, including the Peter Brook-film directed in 1963 and director Harry Hookis the 1990 film. Then Lupita A. Concio he adapted the story into a 1975 film titled Alkitrang Dugo.