Seminal Expressionist horror classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is getting a contemporary reimagining, with Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire) set to star.
John Erick Dowdle (As Above, So Below, Quarantine) will direct the newly-titled Doctor Caligari’s Cabinet of Wonders from his own screenplay, alongside his brother and producing partner Drew Dowdle. Shannon previously worked with the Dowdles on the 2018 Emmy-nominated miniseries Waco.
Per Variety, who reported the news earlier today, the mind-bending psychological horror will star Shannon as the titular villain, Doctor Caligari, a traveling mesmerist who journeys from town to town with a sleepwalker under his control, leaving a trail of grisly murders in their wake:
When a young woman’s boyfriend disappears mysteriously, she believes that the enigmatic Caligari is somehow responsible. The problem is — nobody believes her.
Released in 1920, Robert Wiene's original Dr. Caligari starring Werner Krauss had a profound influence on not just German cinema, but the cinematic landscape as a whole, with everything from James Whale's Frankenstein to Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands undoubtedly indebted to the film's iconic style.
Here's what John Erick Dowdle has to say of his new take on the legendary movie:
“Having worked with Michael Shannon on multiple projects, my brother and I have seen firsthand the unnerving intensity he can bring to even the simplest moments […] The idea of seeing him play the horrifying Doctor Caligari became an obsession for us. The trust and creative shorthand we’ve built together will allow us to push deeper and bolder as we reimagine this iconic German Expressionist classic for a modern audience. I couldn’t be more excited to bring this nightmare to life with him.”
Variety confirm that principal photography on Doctor Caligari’s Cabinet of Wonders will commence June 2026. Stay tuned for updates, and for more, here's some other Gothic-inspired monster movies we're looking forward to coming this year.
