#AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead Director on Telling a Tale of Revenge for a New Generation

As a film critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of horror cinema from the ’90s to the present day. In that time, I have seen my fair share of terrifying and groundbreaking films, but none have left as lasting an impression on me as Jennifer Ens’ latest offering, “#AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead.”

1. Movies depicting characters who pursue revenge at any cost have been around for decades, each highlighting the universal human need for retribution. “#AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead” is a recent addition to this subgenre, aiming not only to splatter blood but also to elicit hearty laughter from viewers. In the hands of director Marcus Dunstan, the challenge was to craft a storyline that seamlessly blended various tones while commenting on social media addiction. As suggested by its title, “#AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead” offers additional themes for reflection. The film will be released in select theaters, digitally, and on demand starting August 2nd.

At the annual major music festival, a bunch of college pals hire an Airbnb to celebrate and party together. However, their joyful reunion soon turns grim as they are systematically killed off, each meeting their demise based on their personal transgressions.

“#AMFAD” features performances by Jade Pettyjohn, Jennifer Ens, Ali Fumiko Whitney, Michaella Russell, Julian Haig, Justin Derickson, Cardi Wong, Jack Doupe-Smith, and Jojo Siwa.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Dunstan recently about his newest film project. We discussed the importance of striking the perfect balance between fear and entertainment. Additionally, he shared some intriguing insights on what’s next for him in the world of cinema.

1. Could you share how you became a part of this venture, and what aspects of the script and narrative drew you in so strongly?

Initially, Kevin Greutert was meant to direct this movie, but his schedule for “Saw X” suddenly became available, prompting him to say, “Let’s go now.” As a result, “All My Friends Are Dead” had to be postponed. It was simply waiting for the perfect combination of budget and other factors to align. Graciously, Kevin put my name forward as a replacement, and that’s how I ended up directing it. I’m thankful for his kindness in doing so.

I have been fortunate enough to cross paths with a truly remarkable individual in my filmmaking journey. This man, who goes by the name of Kevin, has been an invaluable source of guidance and support since my very first foray into movie-making.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve come across many scripts before, but none quite like this one penned by Josh Sims and Jessica Sarah Flaum. Although they’re established writers and performers in the world of Public Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), their debut screenplay that made it to the big screen took me by surprise.

Long ago, when Patrick Melton and I were new co-writers with a film in production for the first time, John Gulager generously stepped in and declared, “I will shield this project.” Without his intervention, there would be no current success. Consequently, within this movie lies a fictitious production by “Juan Gulager.” This is my heartfelt appreciation to John.

When you joined the project and introduced some young team members from Generation Z, that’s who I presume you mean.

As a seasoned film producer with decades of experience under my belt, I can tell you that the process of bringing a screenplay to life is a complex and intricate one. It all starts when you acquire a script with a specified date. Once production begins, you gather your cast and crew together, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to an entire year. After that comes the shooting phase, followed by post-production and editing. All in all, it could be another year or more before the final product is released to the public.

1. Our goal is to make it seem as if this information has just burst onto your screen as a breaking news headline. It needs to be vivid and engaging, with the perfect blend of color, sound, rhythm, and impactful visuals that capture your attention immediately. If we can catch your eye for a second, let’s see if we can keep you engaged for the entire 90 minutes.

As a gamer, I’m curious about how the addition of these yet-to-be-determined new characters influenced the game’s narrative. Did their presence cause any unexpected developments in the storyline? Were there moments when their actions surprised me, things the script didn’t foresee?

1) Affirmative. Absolutely, we incorporated elements of resilience as we navigated through that experience. To be more specific, I aimed to explore a dynamic and unpredictable tone, as well as varying paces, to set this apart from the typical formulaic thriller with occasional horror undertones. I believe if we had followed a straightforward, predictable narrative, it might have failed to connect with viewers because real life isn’t structured that way. One moment can bring on lethargy, then a burst of energy from caffeine, and suddenly adrenaline takes over. But just as easily, you could encounter a frustrating situation like traffic, only to find humor in an unexpected place. This back-and-forth is what the story represents – ups and downs, highs and lows that reflect life’s complexities.

I’m deeply immersed in this whirlwind of activities because deep down, we all share the fear of not wanting to miss out on life. With that perspective, I’d like to acknowledge Julian Haig, our exceptional L.B., for bringing us together before filming began. It’s a rare treat when a bunch of strangers assemble in Vancouver, Canada, but each one who left felt like an old friend. This cast is truly remarkable.

As a filmmaker with years of experience under my belt, I’ve learned that adaptability is key in bringing a script to life. Just like Kirk Shaw and Stephanie Rennie, who produced our latest project, we shot in sequence, allowing us to make adjustments as needed. The script from Josh and Jessica was rich with detail, but resources, time, or budget constraints often required us to get creative. We shaped their vision into what was feasible for us, sometimes scaling things down, other times amplifying them. Our cast, led by the unexpectedly hilarious Jennifer Ens, made this process a joy. She brought her sharp comic timing to a character initially intended for drama and thriller, adding delightful barbs that elevated the entire production. It’s these serendipitous moments that make the filmmaking journey so rewarding.

There was a particular joke I have been metaphorically dying to put in a horror movie for so long. It’s one of these obvious things and it’s just the people will know it when they feel it because I loved seeing this joke and I want to pat everybody on the back for making it happen. Critically, Jennifer Ens landed this joke just so, at the height of violence. She says something that is so character-driven, but is actually hanging its hat on an observation of anybody that saw a horror movie in the ’90s, and the ’80s, and the early ’00s where they’re like, “But wait, is that?” Bam! And we had three sold-out screenings in Tribeca, and to see that movie moment land and everybody that was tight in a ball go, “Bah!” Yes, thank you. Thank you, Jennifer Ens.

1. We were continually progressing, adjusting, exploring since an immediate secure setting allowed us to venture in all directions without restraint. The main character of this story is Andrew Coutts, our editor. We had a variety of situations that ranged from comical, dramatic, or tense. It was like navigating a Richter scale for us. We asked viewers for understanding as we had extensive character development to establish multiple layers and then spent the rest of our time unveiling them, layer by layer. In some instances, we stripped it down to the bare essentials and that’s when things really took flight.

Well, as a longtime fan and contributor to the iconic Saw franchise, I must admit that I find myself constantly gazing into the future, contemplating what lies ahead for this horrifying saga. The impact of my work on the series has been immense, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in creating such an enduring and terrifying universe.

Well, I’ve got two things I can offer. One is how grateful that I am, as not only a viewer but a collaborator, that Kevin Greutert is back in. I think Kevin Greutert is the Nicholas Meyer of Saw. Nicholas Meyer did Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Nicholas Meyer did Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, like this guy would come in and blow the roof off. I just think that Kevin is a master storyteller, and Saw X announced with a spotlight like, “Hey, this is a series that you can never put into a corner. There are ways to surprise and affect and to have heart.” When you have Tobin Bell involved, you just have a masterclass actor who has long deserved a moment in the spotlight, and it’s just getting brighter. I just think it’s wonderful.

Here’s another point I can make – if someone asked about the latest news on “The Collector,” just yesterday, after five years of legal complications, “The Collector” has been released from its legal bindings. Get ready for a chilling return! If you think the current one is loud and red, wait until you see it in action.

As a gamer, I can’t believe it’s been five long years since we began working on our third project in Atlanta. I’m so grateful and thrilled about this journey we’ve embarked on. At the time, we knew we couldn’t rush things; every new movie presented an opportunity to outdo ourselves. Just like how a gamer levels up in a game, each film has the potential to be the best one yet.

Indeed, wrapping up our conversation on a somber tone, thank you for joining me in this discussion. I’m eagerly anticipating more people discovering #AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead.

If you don’t mind, I request that you watch the entirety of the credits. There are still some unexpected turns left in store for you. Our intention was to keep entertaining from beginning to end, so please remain seated in the theater or expand your screen at home if needed. A surprise is coming up that will pack a punch.

#AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead hits select theaters, Digital, and On Demand on August 2nd.

1. This conversation has been shortened and made clearer for your convenience. Feel free to reach out to Patrick Cavanaugh personally via Twitter.

2024-07-30 00:12

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