X-Files Director’s Cut Makes It Gory and Romance-Light

Chris Carter announces a new, R-rated director’s cut of The X-Files: I Want to Believe, titled The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Vrach Frankenshteyn, coming to Disney+ and Hulu. The version stays true to the plot but increases gore and trims Mulder and Scully’s romance, running seven minutes shorter than the 2008 PG-13 release to align with Carter’s original Frankenstein-inspired vision after executives complained it was meant to be “torture porn.” Disney is on board, and Carter discusses why the cut exists, his thoughts on the upcoming Ryan Coogler reboot (not involved), and future projects like Queens for a Day, while noting the film’s modest theatrical success and his aim to emphasize Monster of the Week storytelling and the show’s mythology.