LISTEN: How David Fincher and Zach Cregger Secretly Shaped Netflix’s Video Game-TV Hybrid ‘Unhinged’

July 3, 2026 - 07:15

On a recent episode of the "Daily Variety" podcast, reporter Jennifer Maas broke down the surprising backstory behind Netflix's new project "Unhinged." The show is being described as a video game-TV hybrid, and it turns out two major Hollywood directors had a hand in its creation.

David Fincher, known for films like "Fight Club" and "The Social Network," along with Zach Cregger, who directed the horror hit "Barbarian," both worked behind the scenes to shape the series. According to Maas, their involvement was kept under wraps for a long time. Fincher brought his signature dark, meticulous style to the project's tone and visual language. Cregger contributed by helping refine the narrative structure, making sure the story worked for both passive viewers and interactive players.

The result is a show that tries to blur the line between watching and playing. "Unhinged" lets viewers make choices that affect the story, similar to a "choose your own adventure" format but with higher production values. Maas noted that Netflix has been experimenting with interactive content for years, but this project feels like a bigger step forward. The involvement of Fincher and Cregger gave the project more credibility and a sharper edge.

Neither director is officially credited as a showrunner, but their fingerprints are all over the final product. For fans of either filmmaker, "Unhinged" offers a chance to see their sensibilities applied to a new kind of storytelling. The podcast episode goes into more detail about how the collaboration happened and what it means for the future of TV.