Hulu streams R-rated director’s cut of X-Files film restoring Carter’s horror vision

Hulu has added an R-rated director’s cut of the 2008 X-Files spin-off, renamed I Want to Believe-Vrach Frankenshteyn, which restores the horror tone envisioned by series creator Chris Carter. Carter revealed on David Duchovny’s podcast that the original theatrical version was trimmed to achieve a PG-13 rating, leaving several frightening scenes on the cutting room floor. The newly released version, originally slated for a June launch on Disney+, was shifted to Hulu and made available on August 14.

The film originally earned $68 million against a $30 million budget and helped spark the revival of the TV series, with seasons debuting in 2016 and 2018. Fans are awaiting Ryan Coogler’s upcoming X-Files reboot, also being produced for Hulu. This cut offers a chance to experience the movie as Carter originally intended, highlighting stronger horror elements.