Key Takeaways:
– ‘Pretty Little Liars’ franchise debuts a new series titled ‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’ on Max digital platform in spring 2024.
– Creators Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring presented fresh images from the series, revealing a masked slasher as part of their tribute to classic horror sequels.
– The showrunners suggest viewers watch ‘Friday the 13th Part 2’, ‘When a Stranger Calls’, and ‘Scream 2’ prior to watching ‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’ for a fuller understanding of their inspiration.
‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’ Brings Classic Horror to Television!
The ‘Pretty Little Liars’ franchise, initially watched on Freeform, has found a new home on the Max streaming service. Fresh off ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’, a series that veered more into the horror genre, the franchise now launches ‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’, coming in spring 2024. Promising to be darker and more frightening, creators Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring showcased a set of fresh images from the forthcoming season, notably featuring a masked slasher.
A Focus on New Characters and Storylines
Devised by Aguirre-Sacasa and Bring, ‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’ differs significantly from the initial concept of ‘Pretty Little Liars’. The focus shifts to new characters situated in the fictional town of Millwood, PA, with references to horror film icons like ‘Carrie’ and the original ‘Halloween’ sprinkled throughout. The intriguing plot begins two decades after a series of tragic events nearly tore Millwood apart. Fast-forward to the present, a diverse group of teens, our new Little Liars, find themselves tormented by an unknown assailant, haunted by the secret sin committed by their parents 20 years ago.
The robust cast comprises Bailee Madison as Imogen Adams, Chandler Kinney as Tabby Haworthe, and Maia Reficco as Noa Olivar, among others. Viewers can anticipate a bigger role for Jordan Gonzalez, who plays Ash Romero, as he transitions from a recurring character to a series regular.
A Homage to Classic Horror
Aguirre-Sacasa and Bring revealed to Cosmopolitan that ‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’ will have intensified scares compared to ‘Original Sin’. They stated that their villain, known as Bloody Rose, was designed to stimulate apocalyptic horror, evoking sensations associated with films such as ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ and ‘Midsommar’.
When asked which three horror films viewers should watch before their series premiers, the creators answered – ‘Friday the 13th Part 2’, ‘When a Stranger Calls’, and ‘Scream 2’. They further explained their intention to reproduce the vibes of these classic horror sequels through reference points and iconographies throughout the show.
Wrap Up
Aguirre-Sacasa and Bring are actively involved in ‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’ as executive producers, alongside I. Marlene King, Michael Grassi, Leslie Morgenstein, and Gina Girolamo. Aguirre-Sacasa’s company, Muckle Man Productions, produces the series in collaboration with Alloy Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television.
‘Pretty Little Liars: Summer School’ guarantees an enthralling, horror-filled ride for viewers. Their creative utilization of classic horror inspirations like ‘Friday the 13th Part 2’ undoubtedly instills an air of excitement and anticipation in potential viewers. Let us know your thoughts after checking out the fresh images, and feel free to leave a comment below!
