The X-Files creator Chris Carter is returning to his 2008 film I Want to Believe with a significant revision. A new director’s cut titled The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn hits streaming platforms on August 14. This version shifts the original PG-13 rating to R to better reflect the darker vision Carter held during production.
The narrative centers on the return of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully to FBI business. The duo investigates the disappearance of a federal agent and relies on a disgraced priest who claims to have psychic visions. The film features original cast members including Mitch Pileggi as Skinner alongside Amanda Peet and Alvin Xzibit Joiner as the agents working the case. Genre actor Callum Keith Rennie also appears in a pivotal role.
While the original theatrical release faced criticism for its pace and standalone nature, this edit aims to tighten the focus on the horror elements of the story. The production team states that this cut restores the intended intensity of the narrative. The film will be available on Disney+ and Hulu for viewers interested in seeing the updated take on this specific case from the X-Files universe.