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The creators of the meta slasher flick You Might Be the Killer turned a fun social media gag into a wild, blood-soaked comedy-horror cult hit. Director Brett Simmons expressed his pride in the gore, stating, “Whenever we had a chance to splatter, we splattered.”
Many viewers of slasher movies can imagine themselves as the heroic victim, but have you ever considered that you might actually be the killer? That’s the premise of the 2018 movie, now streaming on SYFY. When a group of camp counselors heads to the backwoods of Louisiana for summer preparations, things take a dark turn as a killer begins terrorizing them. The movie plays on classic tropes seen in films like the Friday the 13th franchise, originally planned to be titled “Dead Counselors.”
We spoke with You Might Be the Killer director, co-writer, and co-producer Brett Simmons and co-writer and co-producer Thomas P. Vitale to discuss the film’s creation, a must-see for any slasher fan.
At its core, Simmons describes it as a slasher movie where the characters are as self-aware as the audience watching, without being a spoof. The film’s origin came from a Twitter thread, with the opening scene featuring counselor Sam seeking help from his horror fan friend Chuck, who begins to suspect Sam might be the killer.
How You Might Be the Killer started as a Twitter gag
Writer Sam Sykes jokingly tweeted writer Chuck Wendig about a camping trip, sparking a meta Twitter conversation that eventually became the basis for the film.
Vitale pitched the Twitter conversation as a movie concept, marking the first time a Twitter exchange was adapted into a film. The movie’s non-linear format places the Twitter conversation in the middle of the plot.
“Legend of the Woodcutter”: Designing the mask in You Might Be the Killer
Vitale and Simmons emphasized the importance of the mask in making this meta slasher movie. The design team created a unique wood carved mask, opting for a simpler and scarier design. The “Legend of the Woodcutter” ties into the mask and the killer’s weapon, a machete fused with gator jawbones.
Iconic design is crucial in a slasher, but according to Vitale, the key to a horror comedy’s success is having characters play the situation seriously. Stellar performances from stars Hannigan and Kranz contribute to this tone.
The process of creating the film included finding the right music and gore. Simmons’s wife, Rebecca Simmons, composed a theme song that captured the desired vibe. The premiere audience understood the film’s intentions, setting the right tone for viewers.
Simmons shared his favorite scene involving a head getting cut in half from a refrigerator, showcasing impressive special effects. The film’s success was attributed to collaborative efforts, leaving Simmons feeling grateful and proud of the movie.
You Might Be the Killer is currently streaming on SYFY.
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