Alright so how’s this for a change: instead of talking about one of the millions of projects that Guillermo del Toro might one day get to make, let’s take a look at something he actually did! Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is a remake of a 1973 made-for-TV movie about a young girl who moves into a house with her father, only to discover that there are also malevolent creatures living there with them. It is co-written and produced by del Toro, but directed by Troy Nixey (Latchkey’s Lament). After making a good first impression with audiences at Comic-Con, a teaser trailer has now arrived online and it is sure to make more than a few people wet themselves (I imagine it would be even more effective in a dark theatre).

The movie seems to be a dark fairytale of sorts, and with a young girl at the center of the film you might expect this to be tamed down for family-friendly viewing. Not so, according to Nixey and del Toro, who confirmed at the SDCC panel that they had received an R-rating despite their best efforts to keep it within PG-13. The cast includes Guy Pearce and Katie Holmes, but the little girl is played by 10-year-old Bailee Madison (Bridge to Terabithia). Did this teaser manage to put the movie on your radar? Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark hits theatres on January 21st; check out the trailer after the jump.