‘Stranger Things’ Star Dacre Montgomery Just Gave Us a New Elite Horror Villain

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Be warned – this article contains major spoilers for the movie Faces of Death. Daniel Goldhaber’s new take on Faces of Death delivers the gruesome gore that made the original 1978 videotape infamous, but its most frightening aspect is the killer at the center of the story. Starring Barbie Ferreira (known from Euphoria), the film explores how easily we’ve become numb to violence in today’s world, thanks to the constant availability of shocking and graphic content. The movie is inspired by a 1978 viral video that claimed to show actual deaths, gaining a cult following because many believed the footage was real.

The new version of the film follows a young woman who works as a content moderator for a social media app similar to TikTok. She discovers videos recreating scenes from a notorious 1978 videotape and begins investigating where they came from. This leads her directly to a real-life serial killer who is copying the original Faces of Death. While the film doesn’t hold back on showing the violent murders, the truly disturbing part is the killer himself, brought to life with chilling effectiveness by an actor known from Stranger Things.

Dacre Montgomery Is Legitimately Unsettling as the Serial Killer Arthur in ‘Faces of Death’

Dacre Montgomery, known for playing Billy Hargrove in the popular Netflix series Stranger Things, takes on the role of serial killer Arthur Spevak in Faces of Death. The film deliberately provides very little information about Spevak’s past or his fascination with the original Faces of Death documentary, which adds to his disturbing character. Montgomery skillfully portrays a dual personality – the seemingly normal Arthur Spevak, who sells cell service, and the unpredictable, violent killer. Even when he appears friendly and approachable, Montgomery hints at a hidden darkness, making the character unsettling.

What really stuck with me about this villain was how unpredictable he was. You always felt like there was something dangerous simmering beneath his calm exterior, and honestly, seeing that contrast with his ‘normal’ public face made him even more unsettling once you discovered the truly terrifying person underneath. It’s strange, but despite knowing exactly how awful Spevak is and the terrible things he does, Montgomery made me want to keep watching him. Barbie Ferreira is amazing in Faces of Death, too, but Montgomery’s performance as the killer is what I really remember most.

‘Faces of Death’ Marks a Revitalized Career Arc for Dacre Montgomery

Following his successful role in Stranger Things and the disappointing reception of the Power Rangers movie he was involved with, Dacre Montgomery decided to take a break from acting to rethink his career path, as he explained to People magazine. He felt he’d been steered towards more mainstream, commercial projects after the popularity of Stranger Things and wanted to focus instead on smaller, critically acclaimed films.

Over the past three years, the 31-year-old Australian actor has gained recognition for his roles in several successful dramas and thrillers. He recently appeared in the lower-budget film Faces of Death and is continuing to build a diverse filmography. He’s also slated to star alongside Tim Robbins, Diane Lane, and Sofia Boutella in Brad Anderson’s upcoming psychological thriller, Moral Capacity, and is currently directing his first film, The Engagement Party. His work in Faces of Death suggests a promising future filled with compelling performances.

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2026-04-12 05:47