Timothy Olyphant’s Dark New Remake Of Netflix’s 5-Year-Old Horror Movie Is “Even Gorier” Than The Original

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A new, darker version of a horror movie originally released on Netflix five years ago, starring Timothy Olyphant, is expected to be much more violent than the first one.

Jorma Taccone, who directed the new movie Over Your Dead Body, along with writers Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher, have shared details about the film, which premiered at SXSW. The movie stars Jason Segel and Samara Weaving as a couple who reunite for a vacation, only to discover they both secretly intend to kill one another. Over Your Dead Body is a remake of the 2021 Norwegian film The Trip.

At SXSW, while promoting their film Over Your Dead Body, directors Taccone, McElhaney, and Kocher told ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan that the new movie is even more violent than the first one. They also revealed that they significantly rewrote the original script, adding more humor, but still kept the same overall feel.

ScreenRant: So tell me what some of the inspirations were and how this idea came to be.

Jorma Taccone: There’s one main inspiration.

We basically remade a Norwegian movie called ‘The Trip.’ Nick and I loved it, so we took the basic storyline and structure and adapted it for ourselves. We changed characters, tweaked their motivations, and added a lot of humor. Then we collaborated with Jorma, working late into the night to nail the perfect tone. It was a really enjoyable writing process – we were very happy with how it turned out.

As a movie fan, I was really intrigued by what they had to say about the film’s genre-bending nature – it’s not just one thing, it throws thriller, action, and more into the mix, which they say really fuels the central conflict. They also hinted at how genuinely dark it gets, and kept mentioning this one scene – a podcast scene, specifically – as being particularly impactful, even drawing from the director’s own life! The whole team just seems incredibly proud of how the story unfolds, and honestly, it’s got me even more hyped to see it.

As a movie fan, what really struck me about this film is how many different vibes it has. It honestly feels like three movies blended into one! It starts as a really tense thriller, then shifts into a home invasion story, and finally explodes into a full-on action movie. We were all very aware of that escalating feel as we worked on it. And honestly, it was great because the original film had such strong performances – Aksel Hennie and Noomie Rapace were just phenomenal. It really had a unique identity all its own.

The performances from Jason Segel and Samara Weaving really give the film its own unique feel. I’m proud we created a remake that feels as strong as the original, and it’s definitely darker and even more visually intense, while still staying true to our vision and the characters.

I think we tend to draw on past relationship arguments when we’re writing the script, weaving pieces of those conflicts into various scenes.

Jorma Taccone: There’s a podcast scene and I’m like, “Well, that’s my life.”

Though the movie stars Segal and Weaving, Timothy Olyphant plays a significant supporting role as Pete. The cast also features Paul Guilfoyle, Keith Jardine, André Eriksen, Ilkka Villi, Juliette Lewis, Iina Kuustonen, and Andy Cohen. However, the story primarily centers around the relationship between the two lead characters.

Early reviews for Over Your Dead Body from the SXSW festival are generally positive, though not universally so. Currently, the film has a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews. Some critics appreciate the film’s straightforward and funny concept, even as the plot becomes more predictable. However, others feel the movie lacks a clear direction, which negatively impacts its overall quality.

Critics generally enjoyed the movie, especially the relationship dynamics and humor, suggesting the filmmakers achieved their vision. It successfully blends thriller and comedy elements, offering a fresh but recognizable spin on the original Norwegian film and making it a standout title.

The new take on the Netflix horror comedy, titled Over Your Dead Body, shows the director and writers had a strong, focused approach to storytelling. Early reviews suggest it’s connecting with critics and could be a hit with audiences when it’s released.

The movie Over Your Dead Body first showed at SXSW on March 14, 2026, and will be available to audiences in the US on April 24, 2026.

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2026-03-17 16:11