Imagine diving into a chilling new chapter of horror filmmaking where the creator himself is buzzing with excitement over a fresh, spine-tingling project. That's the electrifying vibe we're getting from Stephen Cognetti, the mastermind behind the 'Hell House LLC' series, as he gears up to helm his latest thriller. But here's where it gets controversial—could this shift from his signature found-footage style spark debates among fans about what truly makes horror terrifying? Let's unpack this exclusive scoop from our chat with him at Midnight Fest in Boston, and explore how his career is evolving in ways that might surprise you.
During the bustling event in Boston, Bloody Disgusting had the chance to sit down with Cognetti, who was clearly pumped about branching out. 'I'm absolutely delighted to dive into something entirely original and downright frightening,' he shared with us. 'A Body in the Woods' is a script I crafted right after wrapping up the editing on 'Hell House Origins,' when I was fully immersed in that perfect horror headspace.' For those new to filmmaking lingo, 'found footage' refers to a style where the story feels like it's captured on real cameras, often by characters themselves, creating an immersive, documentary-like scare—think shaky cam and raw authenticity that blurs the line between fiction and reality.
He went on to tease, 'I can't spill too many details about the plot, but trust me, it's incredibly eerie, and I'm counting down the days until we start shooting, hopefully very soon.' This upcoming film marks a departure for Cognetti, as it's a traditionally shot narrative horror piece—meaning it's filmed in a more conventional, polished way with professional crews and sets, rather than relying on that gritty, handheld found-footage aesthetic. And this is the part most people miss: it's shaping up to be his most ambitious undertaking yet, potentially showcasing a broader range of his directorial talents.
Cognetti burst onto the scene with his feature debut, 'Hell House' in 2015, and has since penned and directed all four of its sequels: the 2018 follow-up 'Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel,' the 2019 installment 'Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire,' the 2023 prequel 'Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor,' and the upcoming 'Hell House LLC: Lineage,' which is set to stream on Shudder this Halloween on October 30. He also took the helm for '825 Forest Road,' another Shudder release from earlier this year. With his extensive background in the 'Hell House' franchise and the found-footage genre firmly established, fans are eagerly speculating about where his path might lead next—perhaps into even more diverse horror territories that challenge our expectations.
As a quick example, think about how directors like Cognetti often evolve: someone like James Wan started with intense, personal scares in 'Saw' and expanded into blockbuster spectacles like 'Aquaman.' Could Cognetti be on a similar trajectory, blending his roots in mockumentary-style terror with more narrative-driven stories? It's a fascinating pivot that might redefine what we consider 'true horror.'
Stephen Cognetti at Midnight Fest
What do you think—does moving away from found footage make horror less authentic, or does it open up new doors for creativity? Is Cognetti's evolution a bold step forward, or a risky departure from what made his earlier films so gripping? Share your opinions in the comments below—we'd love to hear if you're team found-footage forever or excited for this fresh twist!
