On December 26, 1973 director William Friedkin and writer William Peter Blatty released a near-perfect film that would become both the benchmark and the main blueprints for religious-based horror films. However, the playing field would remain even in the video game world until 2017 when Airdorf Games released their lo-fi horror classic Faith. Much like The Exorcist did for filmgoers, there's always been something about FAITH that has felt different from other games, and as a result, it has garnered a vast and passionate following among gamers across the globe.
A sequel would be released in 2019, and the story would be completed in 2022. The three games collectively have become known as Faith: The Unholy Trilogy (available on PC and the Nintendo Switch), and it was only a matter of time before filmmakers would come knocking.
In truth, big-screen video game adaptations haven't fared well with gamers or moviegoers. With the exception of a few shining spots, the landscape has remained mostly dark and littered with failed attempts at greatness. Despite many offers, Airdorf Games was painfully aware of this and never felt comfortable in terms of its digital baby making the jump to live action. Until now.
It's been recently announced that Faith: The Unholy Trilogy would make the jump to filmdom with director Brandon Salisbury (George A. Romero's Resident Evil documentary) at the helm. So why now, and what set Brandon's pitch apart from the others? FANGORIA sat down with Airdorf Games to find out.
What is it about the Faith games that horror movie fans can enjoy?
I think horror movie fans will enjoy being drawn into the journey of John – the main protagonist of Faith – as he tries to finish an exorcism that went horribly wrong. His quest to finish what he started takes him to some really dark places, physically and psychologically.
They'll also get to meet the horrifying demons that feature in the games. When it comes to the look and feel of the demons, Brandon and his crew really want to do the game justice, and I think horror movie fans will love seeing these pixelated horrors come to life on the big screen. We are looking into doing practical makeup/creature effects for the demons, and I think horror movie fans will love the results.
Was this the first time a filmmaker took interest in the project?
Over the years, I've been approached by several people involved in filmmaking about making a Faith adaptation. I make a point of hearing all the pitches, whether they come from someone big or small in the industry.
What convinced you that Brandon Salisbury was the correct person to work with?
I really respected Brandon's vision when it came to the Faith film project because it was clear he wanted to be ‘Faith‘-ful to the source material. We had several discussions on how a Faith film should look and feel, and our ideas aligned really well.
The discussions were about something other than what he and his team would have to change, but rather how they could capture and communicate the vibe of the games on film. That meant a lot to me. I also got to see a screening of Brandon's film George A. Romero's Resident Evil, which gave me confidence in his abilities as a filmmaker.
You are attached to the film itself. How will you ensure the movie stays close to the game? Is it exciting to see your creation make the leap to live action?
I'm really excited to see Faith adapted for film! As executive producer, I have an advisory role when it comes to how Brandon and his team bring the characters, monsters, and locations from the games onto the big screen.
In these early stages of production, I've been having lots of conversations with Brandon about how to do this adaptation – he'll ask me, “Is this how you envisioned this character looking?” or “What do you think about this actor for this role?” or “What if we showed this part of the story here?” He's confident in his vision for the film but is also transparent and values my input.
Video game movies tend to have mixed results. What will make Faith different from other failed attempts?
What I want the most is a film that existing fans of the games and I will enjoy, but will also be engaging for new fans. Of course, it's a challenge to bring a game – where the flow and action depend heavily on the player – into the realm of film.
It's a good sign in these early stages that Brandon wants the movie to match the vibe of the game: lo-fi, experimental, minimalist, trippy at times, a bit like a fever dream, really creepy monsters, with moments of horror that really grip the viewer. I think we'll have a success on our hands if viewers come out of the film praising it as a real scary and unique horror film and not just a video game adaptation!
How have the fans reacted to the announcement of a live-action film?
The fans' reaction to the announcement has been huge! Hearing that we're making a Faith film is a literal dream come true for some of them. I'm so thankful for all the dedicated Faith fans and their excitement and support for the film project. I think they really appreciate how engaging Brandon is with them – he's been on social media answering their questions and sharing his love for the Faith series with them. It's really cool to see that level of fan engagement, and it's fostering some great, positive hype for the project.
Salisbury is joined by Executive Producer Steve Barton, who is coming off Terrifier 2, the indie horror darling that earned over $15 million at the box office. Additionally, George Demick (Knightriders, Asylum of Terror) and Airdorf Games, the original creators of Faith, will also serve as Executive Producers, with Airdorf taking on an advisory role to ensure the film stays true to the game's vision.
The screenplay will be handled by Emmy Award-winning screenwriter John Esposito (Graveyard Shift, The Walking Dead webisodes, Shudder's Creepshow) based on a treatment written by Brandon Salisbury and Steve Barton. Joining them will also be filmmaker and cinematographer Tom Robenolt (Whistle to the Maples, George A. Romero's Resident Evil) and J.J. Trulock, creator of the popular YouTube channel Residence of Evil, devoted to Resident Evil and Survival Horror gaming. Trulock serves as a Producer for the film. Carson Demick (All of It Ends, George A. Romero's Resident Evil) and Chris MacGibbon (Blood Was Everywhere) are rounding out the producing team.
Set in the 1980s, the Faith games follow John, a young priest struggling from the fallout of a failed exorcism. Themes of faith, guilt, and redemption permeate the narrative, which centers around demonic possession and religious horror. Players guide John as he confronts a Satanic cult hellbent on releasing the ultimate evil. The games draw inspiration from the infamous “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s, an era marked by widespread paranoia about Satanic influence in media, music, and tabletop games.
Salisbury says about the project, “The game is an example of horror through minimalistic locations and characters… a disturbing journey that the player has to endure to its end. For the film, we want to preserve that same feeling you get when you play Faith for the first time… We are treating the material with the respect that fans expect and deserve.”
Barton says about the project, “As a lifelong gamer and horror fan, the challenge and opportunity to take this minimalist horror milestone and flesh it out while preserving its terrifying roots is one I could not pass up.”
Faith will be the third collaboration with Salisbury, Robenolt, and George and Carson Demick. The group previously campaigned for a sequel to George Romero's Knightriders, producing a concept film that garnered support from many of the original cast and crew.
Popular YouTubers Markiplier and Wendigoon have praised Faith: The Unholy Trinity, with Markiplier's Faith: Chapter 1 playthrough amassing nearly ten million views. Faith: The Unholy Trinity continues to gain traction, with a Nintendo Switch port launched on October 10, 2024, and the game also available on Steam.
Meanwhile, George A. Romero's Resident Evil is available on Digital and On Demand.
