Acclaimed filmmaker Bryan Bertino, best known for his 2008 horror breakthrough The Strangers has returned to the genre’s spotlight with Vicious, a haunting psychological thriller that premiered to rave reviews at Fantastic Fest 2025 in Austin, Texas. The premiere marked a fitting reunion for Bertino, coinciding with the debut of The Strangers — Chapter 2, solidifying his ongoing influence in modern horror storytelling.

In an exclusive discussion with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, Bertino delved into the eerie origins of Vicious, his collaboration with Dakota Fanning, and his reflections on the legacy of The Strangers.

The Plot: A Box, Three Rules, and a Descent into Darkness

Vicious stars Dakota Fanning as Polly, a woman whose seemingly ordinary life collapses after receiving a mysterious box accompanied by chilling instructions: to place inside “something you need, something you hate, and something you love.” The ritual awakens a sinister force that distorts her perception of time and memory, forcing Polly to confront unspeakable horrors — both external and within herself.

The film’s impressive ensemble includes Kathryn Hunter (Poor Things), Rachel Blanchard (The Summer I Turned Pretty), and Mary McCormack (In Plain Sight).

Fanning’s Standout Performance

Bertino praised Fanning’s “transformative precision” and deep emotional intelligence, noting that audiences’ familiarity with her since childhood adds a powerful meta-layer to her role. “People have grown up with Dakota,” he said. “That, on some level, informs how they interpret Polly. They’ve seen her innocence, which makes her descent into darkness even more personal.”

He described Fanning as “another filmmaker,” recalling how her creative insight and ability to “turn on and off in moments” altered his entire approach to directing.

The Nirvana Connection

One of the film’s most fascinating revelations is its direct inspiration from Nirvana’s haunting song “Polly”. Bertino shared that the melody and lyrics profoundly affected him as a child, shaping the emotional framework for the protagonist. “The way that song made me feel just clicked — it opened the door to who Polly would eventually be,” he explained.

This subtle nod to Kurt Cobain’s songwriting infuses Vicious with an undercurrent of melancholy, connecting the story’s dread with real-world empathy and trauma, a hallmark of Bertino’s storytelling style.

Legacy and Streaming Success

Bertino’s Fantastic Fest double feature with Vicious debuting alongside The Strangers, Chapter 2 underscores his enduring mark on the horror landscape. Since its festival debut, Vicious has dominated Paramount+ streaming charts, becoming the platform’s #1 most-watched title within its opening weekend.

The film’s combination of intimate psychological terror, striking performances, and musical subtext has captivated critics and fans alike, positioning Bertino once again as one of contemporary horror’s most introspective and daring voices.