HBO has released the trailer of "Beware the Slenderman," a true crime documentary that chronicles the attempted murder of an innocent 12-year-old girl from Wisconsin.
In 2014, a pair of 12-year-old girls plotted the murder of their friend by stabbing her 19 times to appease a fictional character called the Slenderman. Dressed in a black suit with octopus-like tentacles attached to his body, the suspects of the horrific crime believed that this fictional boogeyman was real. This led them to plot the murder for months, thinking that their friend's dead body will serve as a sacrifice so they can protect themselves and their family from the ghoul creature.
Next year on HBO, viewers will be able to watch how this story unfolded in full circle. As seen on the trailer, the clip offers a glimpse into the horrific nature of the crime, while also documenting the lives of people involved as they face the unimaginable tragedy.
"The palest man, the blackest suit. Quicker than the tallest brute. Fear the man, the Slenderman. For he can do what no one can," a voice from the trailer warns.
This opening line is linked to one of the many writings about the Slenderman, a fictional character that originated from a site called "Something Awful." Aside from his tentacles, the Slenderman is also known for being a tall, faceless monster. This creepy image of him is usually photoshopped into backgrounds where children are photographed.
After gaining popularity, the Slenderman became a part of urban legends as they connected his tales to disappearing children and other horrifying acts.
"Beware the Slenderman" is slated to premiere on Jan. 23 on HBO.
