We’ve all heard the classic story of Hansel and Gretel, but we have never seen the fairytale told in such a unique and spookily good way as it is in the Orion Pictures film, Gretel & Hansel. Directed by Oz Perkins, Gretel & Hansel puts an eerie twist on a fairytale we all know and love. Needless to say, this spine-chilling film is a movie that all horror-junkies should be rushing on over to theaters to see.
The movie stars accomplished actress Sophia Lillis (It, It Chapter Two) as Gretel and the talented Sammy Leakey as Gretel’s younger brother, Hansel. In the film, Gretel and Hansel leave their home searching for food and work, when they come across a home filled with delicious treats and the “smell of cake” that little Hansel has been longing for. When a witch named Holda welcomes the siblings into her home, Gretel and Hansel soon come to realize that she may not have the best intentions.
Sophia Lillis, Sammy Leakey, and Alice Krige (who plays Holda), all do such a captivating job in this film. The cast’s extraordinary acting skills will have viewers completely engrossed in the movie. All of the elements of the movie helps make Gretel & Hansel a complete masterpiece of a horror film. The music, done by Robin Coudert, is absolutely chilling and adds extra suspense to the film.
The movie was filmed in Ireland and director Oz Perkins told Entertainment Weekly that one of the locations they filmed in was at the Hell Fire Club, which folklore says the Devil frequently visited. Perkins told EW, “The Hell Fire Club is this massive, foreboding, stone structure, just all by itself, on the top of a hill. It almost feels like an old prison or something like that. I guess the story is that the Devil played cards there…”
One of the many things that makes this film stand out from other movies based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale is that Perkins wanted the story to focus on Gretel’s journey to maturity. He told EW, “We tried to find a way to make it more of a coming-of-age story. I wanted Gretel to be somewhat older than Hansel, so it didn’t feel like two 12-year-olds — rather, a 16-year-old and an 8-year-old. There was more of a feeling like Gretel having to take Hansel around everywhere she goes, and how that can impede one’s own evolution, how our attachments and the things that we love can sometimes get in the way of our growth.”
Sophia Lillis, Sammy Leakey and director Oz Perkins celebrated their remarkable film at a special screening at the Arclight Hollywood in Los Angeles, California on January 22, 2020. It stars Jaeden Martell, Chosen Jacobs, Wyatt Oleff, Jack Dylan Grazer and It director Andy Muschietti all came out to support their friend, Sophia Lillis’ film. A fun after-party took place at Stella Barra.
Alexisjoyvipaccess had a spectacular time attending the special screening of Gretel & Hansel. It’s so brilliant to see how the creative minds of Oz Perkins and screenwriter Rob Hayes joined together to create such a fascinating film. The cast brought this story to life in a way that has never been done before. Gretel & Hansel is a feast of hair-raising and mysterious moments.
Check out some more photos below from the Los Angeles special screening of Gretel & Hansel! Gretel & Hansel hits theaters on January 31st.
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Photo Credits: Getty Images North America
