The 2020s are truly the poster child for gimmicky horror movies, with iconic films like Slotherhouse or Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey wreaking havoc on the moviegoing world. Now it seems as if creatively inept executives are moving towards adapting viral events, as we’re reportedly getting a horror movie based on the infamous Glasgow “Willy’s Chocolate Experience,” based on a character featured in the event: The Unknown. Strap me in for another bad movie, it’s a guilty pleasure.
A Not-So-Magical Willy’s Chocolate Experience
For those of you who somehow dodged news about the disastrous Willy Wonka catastrophe, here’s a brief rundown: some scammers utilized AI-generated ads and copy to attract dozens of families to an event based on the Willy Wonka franchise. What was advertised as a magical adventure filled with whimsical sets and mounds of candy ended up being a spiritual successor to the equally disastrous Fyre Festival, as actors were forced to rib off of AI-generated scripts and kids were forced to trek around in what was essentially an empty warehouse with a colorful tapestry to look at here and there.
As of this writing, the website is still live to marvel at and question how anyone paid $40 for an experience where AI-generated advertisements misspelled words such as “Imagnation,” “Catgacating,” and my personal favorite: “A Pasadise of Sweet Teats.” Now, to further amplify the horror of the situation, Bloody Disgusting reported that some filmmakers are utilizing the viral nature of this event to make a feature film. It’s already got a title: The Unknown.
The Unknown is a character featured in Willy’s Chocolate Experience, a hulking figure with a silver mask with no relation to the Willy Wonka franchise whatsoever. He was reportedly written into the event to act as a villain for Willy Wonka and his “Wonkadoodles” (who knows, guys), to overcome, so maybe the film will feature some epic Willy Wonka MCU-style teamups. Honestly, I don’t find the likeness of The Unknown to be a particularly compelling horror villain. He’s just some guy in a black cloak and a mildly creepy mask. I am, however, not opposed to a gritty drama based on the life of the meth lab Oompa Loompa. Give filmgoers what they really want.
