Christophe Gans Returns: Return to Silent Hill Trailer Divides Fans Over Younger James and Creepy You Live Here Now Tagline
Konami and director Christophe Gans have released the first proper trailer for Return to Silent Hill, the new film adaptation of Silent Hill 2. The movie follows the game’s central story and will arrive in theaters on January 23, 2026.
Trailer and where to watch
For the first time we get a proper look at the film’s tone, visuals, and some familiar monsters. The trailer shows foggy streets, a version of Pyramid Head, and a younger, leather-clad James Sunderland moving through Silent Hill’s twisted spaces.
Director Christophe Gans — who also directed the original Silent Hill movie — is attached again. Furthermore, Konami is positioning this film as a direct return to the franchise’s darker psychological themes.
Plot and official description
The film appears to follow the structure of Silent Hill 2 closely. Importantly, the movie’s official logline is given exactly as released:
“RETURN TO SILENT HILL brings the iconic horror franchise back to the screen. When James receives a mysterious letter from his lost love Mary, he is drawn to Silent Hill—a once-familiar town now consumed by darkness. As he searches for her, James faces monstrous creatures and unravels a terrifying truth that will push him to the edge of his sanity.”
So, while visuals vary from the game in places, the core setup — James searching for Mary after a letter — remains intact.
Cast and release date
Jeremy Irvine (War Horse, Treadstone) plays James Sunderland. Meanwhile, Hannah Emily Anderson is credited as Mary Crane, Angela, Maria, and Moth Mary.
The film is scheduled to hit theaters on January 23, 2026.
Early fan reaction
Reaction online has been mixed to negative so far. Fans on social platforms pointed to certain creative choices — for example, James’ younger look and the new tagline — as awkward departures from the game’s tone.
One particular line from the trailer, “You live here now.”, drew a lot of attention and debate among viewers.
For a sampling of fan comments and community discussion, see this Reddit thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/silenthill/comments/1n0xhi8/return_to_silent_hill_teaser_trailer/
