From the Mouths of Filmmakers: Daniel Myrick

Dan Myrick

FROM THE MOUTHS OF HORROR FILMMAKERS: 

DANIEL MYRICK

With the success of IT FOLLOWS and the recent discussions it has sparked about the number of original, critically-acclaimed indie horror films being released, I wanted to reach out to some of the most original voices in horror cinema to ask them a few questions about the state of horror cinema today and why they believe there has been a resurgence of sorts of great horror.

The responses below are from Daniel Myrick, best known for co-directing/co-writing/co-editing (with Eduardo Sánchez) The Blair Witch Project, one of the most successful independent films of all time. Myrick's next film will be Under the Bed.

Why do you believe there has been a surge of critically-acclaimed horror films recently like IT FOLLOWS, THE BABADOOK, YOU'RE NEXT, and others?

I think they’re just good films that actually scare people. Also, they possess fresh premises that people find engaging.   

What do you think the wide release of IT FOLLOWS means for future indie horror films, if anything?

I don’t think much has changed. It Follows once again proves that you don’t need big names or high budgets to cross over into the mainstream. If you have a fresh idea and good execution you can break out and become a commercial as well as a critical success. This is just the latest example and serves as a reminder to Hollywood.

Why do you believe horror films are important to cinema as a whole?

It’s a genre that doesn’t necessarily depend on “name talent” or big budgets to make an impact on a mass scale. A good scare is cross-cultural and easily translatable, which is why they can be so popular worldwide. This leaves open the possibility for fresh, young talent to break through with unique ideas in this medium, which is always a good thing. 

What's your favorite horror movie?

Hard to say which one is my favorite. Certainly, The Shining ranks up there, as well as The Exorcist.