THE STORY: Oscar Wilde’s Faustian tale of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth is updated as a bold, stylish, and bloody contemporary thriller. London, 1988: Preternaturally handsome Dorian Gray has his portrait painted by his college classmate, the on-the-rise artist Basil Hallwood. When their mutual friend Henry Wotton offers to include it in a show, Dorian makes a fateful wish—that his portrait should grow old instead of him—and strikes an unspeakable bargain with the devil. So begins Dorian’s steady decline into a life of depravity, following a twisted path that will lead him towards sexual deviance, violence, and much, much worse. However, Dorian’s vile acts are not reflected upon his own visage, but rather upon Basil’s portrait, which seems to rot from within, every one of Dorian’s sins warping it more and more. The portrait is Dorian’s secret, and he will do anything to keep it hidden and safe—even kill, if he has to…
“The debauchery and gothic abandon of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s modern adaptation is such a sight for stingy eyes…it’s very Grand Guignol…As Mr. Wilde said, the only way to rid oneself of a temptation is to yield to it, so sink into the dark pleasures and cheeky wit of THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY.” —Washington Times.
“Gritting, gripping, and at times gut-wrenching, this provocative adaptation transplants Wilde’s characters from the late eighteenth century to 1980s London, but the scandalous, often shocking heart of the story remains.” —Washingtonian.
“Stylish, sexy and unspeakably cool…brilliantly drawn…a thoroughly engaging collection of images…a clever take on a classic story. A smartly dressed, intriguing adaptation.” —Metro Weekly.
