The legacy of The Strangers franchise owes much to Bryan Bertino, the visionary director behind the original home invasion thriller that not only spawned a sequel but now promises a reboot trilogy slated for release later this year.

Bertino, renowned for his work on “The Dark and the Wicked,” is set to rekindle his mastery of horror with the eagerly anticipated “Vicious,” which has secured the talents of Dakota Fanning (“The Watchers”) as its leading star.

Mark your calendars for August 8, 2025, as “Vicious” has already secured its release date, as announced by Deadline this week. Adding to the anticipation, Devyn Nekoda (“Scream VI”) is confirmed to join the cast.

Joining Nekoda are Kathryn Hunter (“Poor Things”), Mary McCormack (“The West Wing”), Rachel Blanchard (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”), Klea Scott (“Millennium”), and Emily Mitchell (“Ordinary Angels”). The film, a Paramount production, boasts an ensemble cast under the helm of Bryan Bertino.

The plot unfolds around a young woman entangled in a harrowing battle for survival, descending into the depths of terror within a mysterious gift left by a nocturnal visitor.

Penned by Bryan Bertino himself, “Vicious” marks an Atlas Independent production, with Melinda Whitaker serving as executive producer alongside producer Richard Suckle.