The Dreadful is a 2026 Gothic horror film starring former Game of Thrones co-stars Sophie Turner and Kit Harington. Their reunion is the film’s clearest connection to the series: they play different characters in a separate medieval story. The film’s bleak period atmosphere has also drawn comparisons to The Witch, while early Rotten Tomatoes scores show mixed reactions rather than proving that viewers are evenly divided.
What is The Dreadful about?
Written and directed by Natasha Kermani, The Dreadful is a 94-minute horror film set in medieval England against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses. Sophie Turner plays Anne, Kit Harington plays Jago, and Marcia Gay Harden plays Morwen.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Penny Dreadful: City of Angels - Season One [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51s+qwawD4L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels - Season One [Blu-ray] | $44.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Penny Dreadful: Season 1 [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CZdXRhYQL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Penny Dreadful: Season 1 [Blu-ray] | $11.59 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Penny Dreadful: Season 2 [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FTW5L0rNL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Penny Dreadful: Season 2 [Blu-ray] | $20.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Penny Dreadful: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514c1QpcX3L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Penny Dreadful: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] [Region Free] | $89.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![Penny Dreadful: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] [Region A & B & C]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51o1HQ9de0L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Penny Dreadful: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] [Region A & B & C] | $43.72 | Buy on Amazon |
Anne and her domineering mother-in-law, Morwen, struggle to survive on the margins of society. When a man from Anne’s past returns from war, a curse begins to take shape through a mysterious knight, threatening them both. Rotten Tomatoes’ film listing describes the story as one of survival on the outskirts of medieval society; the production company also situates it during the Wars of the Roses.
Why are people comparing it to Game of Thrones and The Witch?
The Game of Thrones connection is the cast
Turner and Harington reunite after playing Sansa Stark and Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. In The Dreadful, they are Anne and Jago, characters in an unrelated story. The film is not a continuation, spin-off, or shared-universe entry.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
The The Witch comparison is about style
Some coverage compares The Dreadful with Robert Eggers’s The Witch for its period setting, Gothic atmosphere, and slow-building dread. That is a critical comparison, not an official description or evidence that the films are alike in every respect. One review calls Kermani’s film a flawed, atmospheric Gothic-horror experiment while making the comparison.
Kermani has also discussed Onibaba as an influence. In an interview, she described her interest in “the image of these two women in this desolate landscape” and a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship that horror rarely centers. That points to an artistic reference and character focus; it does not make The Dreadful a direct remake of Onibaba.
Rank #2
- Factory sealed DVD
Is The Dreadful polarizing?
Rotten Tomatoes’ listing, accessed in 2026, reports a 35% Tomatometer from 37 critic reviews and a 38% Popcornmeter from more than 50 audience ratings. Its critics’ consensus says the film reaches for atmospheric medieval folk horror but settles into a plodding, unfocused story. Individual responses vary, including audience comments praising the performances, cinematography, and atmosphere alongside negative reactions.
Those scores indicate mixed reactions in the ratings collected on that site, not a representative survey of viewers or proof that opinion is evenly split. The counts and percentages can change as more ratings are added.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →When and where can you watch it?
The Dreadful opened in limited US theaters and became available to rent or buy digitally on February 20, 2026. The production company lists digital storefronts, but availability depends on territory and retailer; check local listings for current options. The date above refers to the US release, not a worldwide rollout.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who might enjoy it?
The premise and comparisons suggest a film for viewers drawn to bleak medieval settings, slow-burn Gothic horror, and stories centered on women’s relationships under pressure. Viewers expecting the pace of a conventional action-led fantasy—or a Game of Thrones continuation—should not take the cast reunion or stylistic comparison as a promise of either.
If you are choosing between it and The Witch, compare the films on atmosphere, pacing, character focus, and how each builds dread rather than treating one as a substitute for the other. The available ratings snapshot does not establish a definitive winner.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Fantasy, horror, drama
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
