A Horror Bambi Movie? Bambi: The Reckoning

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When Bambi: The Reckoning was first announced, many assumed it was a prank.

The idea was so bizarre that it might well have been a parody generated by an AI.

But no, it’s very real.

By July 25, 2025, a chilling reinterpretation of a cherished childhood tale will be making its way to cinemas.

Due to graphic content, we’re unable to show the complete movie posters. Instead, click on these links to catch a peek at the film’s visual presentation: [Link 1] and [Link 2].

The film will join as the newest addition to a series now formally known as “The Distorted Childhood Cosmos” or, more playfully, “The Pooh-niverse.

Fairy Tales Gone Wrong

In the director’s chair for “Bambi: The Reckoning” is Dan Allen, a British filmmaker recognized for his contributions to low-budget horror films like “Unhinged” and “It Came from Below“.

Allen has been vocal about his intent to make this more than just a meme-worthy slasher flick.

In an interview with SFX Magazine, he argued that his version of Bambi is

“thematically about the loss of innocence and the death of childhood,”

He thinks this interpretation of horror is truer to the original novel by Felix Salten compared to Disney’s much-loved film adaptation.

The screenplay was written by Rhys Warrington, an up-and-coming and eager screenwriter, who has worked together with Allen in the past.

The premise of the movie is being described as follows:

The film centers on Xana (Roxanne McKee) and her son Benji,.
After the mother and son survive a car crash deep in the wilderness, they find themselves hunted by Bambi, a mutated, grief-ridden deer, that is mourning the loss of his mother.

Producer Scott Jeffrey describes this new version of Bambi as a “very dark reinterpretation,” taking visual cues from the Netflix horror hit, The Ritual. This chilling supernatural psychological folk horror follows a group of friends on a hiking trip who uncover an ancient evil lurking within the woods.

Based on the trailer and its description, it seems we’re in store for a formidable take on Bambi, reminiscent of an ancient woodland deity. Here’s your link to watch the trailer and make your own judgment: Bambi: The Reckoning – Official Trailer

Why Is This Movie Happening?

The short answer? Public domain.

On New Year’s Day of 2022, the book “Bambi: A Life in the Woods” written by Felix Salten, which inspired Disney’s famous film, became part of the public domain in the United States.

Although Disney’s 1942 film version (including its art, characters, and soundtrack) remains under copyright restrictions, Salten’s original novel can be used freely.

And with that loophole wide open, horror producers have wasted no time.

Bambi isn’t the only childhood fairytale to get a horror-makeover.

Rhys Frake-Waterfield, the mastermind behind production, collaborates with Jeffrey in a scheme to establish a budget-friendly horror realm by crafting eerie adaptations of classic, public-domain children’s stories.

As a devoted admirer, I must confess that the initial chapter in the “Poohniverse,” titled Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, sparked quite a stir among critics. However, it managed to rake in enough profit to keep the series going, which I, for one, find nothing short of delightful!

The franchise currently features “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare,” and more titles such as “Pinocchio: Unraveled” are forthcoming.

Reimagining Bambi’s Legacy

Among the timeless Disney tales for young ones, I’d say Bambi has an eerie psychological impact that lingers long after watching it. As a gamer, I can relate this feeling to some darker video game narratives where loss and resilience are central themes.

The shocking death of Bambi’s mother traumatized generations of viewers.

But does that emotional weight translate into effective horror?

That remains to be seen.

Should You Watch It?

Honestly? It’s so bizarre, you might just have to.

It’s yet to be determined if Bambi: The Reckoning can steer clear of the cheesy flaws that were present in its original version.

Nonetheless, horror enthusiasts are showing a sense of guarded hopefulness, given the commitment to enhance the quality of filmmaking in response to unfavorable criticisms about earlier films.

From my perspective, it’s undeniably captivating to witness how contemporary pop culture consistently reimagines the tales we believed were already familiar.

Just don’t expect Thumper to show up and lighten the mood.

Am I hyped to witness Bambi transform into a formidable beast? Or do I believe classic franchises should be preserved as they are?

Tell us in the comments!

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2025-07-09 16:10