Mulder and Scully return as Chris Carter brings his darker and more disturbing vision back to life.
Courtesy of: Disney+/The Walt Disney Company Written by: Chris and Will Press
Writer, producer, and director Chris Carter brings his signature blend of science fiction, horror, government conspiracy, and questions of faith to The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn, a new R-rated director’s cut coming to Disney+ and Hulu. This reedited version presents the darker and more disturbing vision Carter originally wanted audiences to experience.
Created by Chris Carter, The X-Files became one of television’s most influential and celebrated science-fiction series, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards as well as a prestigious Peabody Award. The series follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate paranormal events, unexplained crimes, and government conspiracies—combining Mulder’s belief in the extraordinary with Scully’s reliance on science and evidence.
Chris and Will had the opportunity to attend an advance screening of The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn. Arriving 18 years after the original film debuted in 2008, Chris Carter’s director’s cut offers a darker and more in-depth look at the story he originally intended to tell.
Years after leaving the FBI, Fox Mulder and Dr. Dana Scully are drawn back into a world they thought they had left behind when several women disappear—including a federal agent. Their only lead is a disgraced former priest who claims to be experiencing terrifying psychic visions connected to the crimes. As Mulder and Scully pursue the case across a bleak winter landscape, they must confront the ghosts of their past and a horrifying threat that tests the boundaries of science, faith, and humanity.
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson slip naturally back into their roles as Mulder and Scully, effortlessly restoring the chemistry that has always defined their partnership. “It felt as though the characters had never left,” Chris and Will agreed. “Their chemistry remains on point, and neither actor seems to have aged. We’re also glad Mulder finally shaved his beard.”
Although this version is ultimately a tighter reworking of the original film, Carter’s changes make it feel like a renewed journey into The X-Files. The darker horror elements deliver genuine tension, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats and providing several effective scares. The story is compelling, the performances feel grounded, and the visuals—particularly the bleak, snow-covered setting—create an atmosphere of isolation and dread. The film deserved a theatrical release, but it remains a streaming spectacle even without a surround-sound system. Turn off the lights, eliminate the distractions, and prepare to be pulled into its cold and unsettling world.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn presents its characters through a more dramatic and emotionally revealing lens, allowing audiences to better understand who they are beyond the investigation. Billy Connolly delivers an unsettling and layered performance as Father Joe, making the disgraced priest both disturbing and strangely compelling. The film feels different from what audiences may expect from the franchise, often playing more like a traditional police procedural than a paranormal investigation. Although the story conceals the methods and motives behind the crimes, it offers little mystery about who is responsible. This cut also removes some of the warmer and more flirtatious moments between Mulder and Scully, placing greater emphasis on the horror and investigation. “Personally, if you have never watched the original series or films, this may not be the best place to begin,” Chris and Will explained. “Although it retains the traditional appeal of The X-Files, this version does not provide newcomers with enough background to fully understand the characters, their history, or the nature of their work.”
Chris and Will give The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn an overall rating of 8 out of 10 smiles for its chilling atmosphere and darker reinterpretation of a familiar story. It is certainly worth watching when it premieres August 14 on Disney+ and Hulu.
Source: ChrisWill Media
About the Authors: Christopher L. Antie and William Antie are podcast journalists who cover entertainment, travel, culture, and stories from a variety of industries. Learn more about Chris and Will by listening to their podcast, What About Our Life?, on iHeartRadio or visiting ChrisAndWill.com.