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Writer/Director Chris Moore Talks ‘Triggered’

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Director Chris Moore is gearing up to release his next film Children of Sin. In celebration of that, we thought we would take a look back at this interview Waylon Jordan did with him about his 2018 movie Triggered

Triggered isn’t a film that can be taken at face value, and it’s certainly not one you should give up on halfway through, which I admit I almost did.

In the film, Callee (Meredith Mohler), a self-appointed (aren’t they always?) captain of the PC police, spends her days calling out every perceived social justice infraction in the most shrill voice imaginable. She, most recently, had a blind cafeteria worker fired for serving a black student fried chicken, much to the chagrin of her principal, Gloria Fielding (Amanda Wyss).

Her only friend, Ian (Jesse Dalton), supports her as best as he can, though she makes it difficult when behind closed doors her facade vanishes and her nasty tirades include more than a few homophobic statements hurled in his direction.

The problem is that Callee doesn’t just want to feel special, she needs it, and if the only way she can be special is to spend her time calling out perceived injustices on everyone else’s behalf, whether they like it or not, then that’s what she will do.

When her efforts fail, and more and more people turn against her, she convinces Ian to fake an attack by a legendary serial killer. Little does she know that the killer is watching her every move and he or she might just be triggered themselves.

Moore sat down with iHorror last week to discuss the film’s origins, audience reactions, and the overall message of the film.

For Moore, this all began when a friend forwarded an article to him involving a protest by white university students who were angry that the sushi being served in their cafeteria was made by non-Asian people.

“I kind of had to laugh at first,” Moore said. “But then I started looking and finding more articles about similar protests from across the country.”

By the time he had accumulated dozens of articles, an idea began to grow for a story that could be both dark and comedic. Combining elements from people he knew in real life and from instances he had only ever encountered online, the central character of Callee began to take shape.

“She really makes me laugh, and I figured if she made me laugh, she might make other people laugh as well,” he explained. “But she’s also really complicated. There are times when she makes really good points and then there are times when you just want to ask, ‘What is wrong with you?!'”

Ian (Jess Dalton) and Callee (Meredith Mohler) in Chris Moore’s Triggered

Naturally, it became essential for Moore to find an actress who could pull off both of these facets, but could add an almost dangerous level of intensity to the role, and he was excited when Mohler was able to not only play the duality of the character but in his own words, “felt like someone I could imagine harming me under the right circumstances.”

Once she was attached to the role, Moore also says he had a discussion with her about not making Callee likable.

“When actors have a character who is unlikable, they tend to try to tone them down a bit,” the director pointed out. “I told her she had to make Callee as unlikable as possible so we could see what happened.”

In the end, he admits that some people get it and some tell him they just can’t watch it because the character is a bit maddening.

The entire tone of Triggered can be off-putting. Moore knew this from the beginning.

When we watch a film, the main character is generally the moral center or at least the lens through which we will view the film. In this case, however, Callee’s skewed perspective forces us to look elsewhere for character connections, and Ian and Gloria Fielding–the two characters who have actually been subjected to various forms of bigotry and isolation–ultimately become the humanity of the film.

Dalton, who Moore knew from online interactions, turned in an audition that was funny and moving and immediately drew the director to the quirky young actor, even though Dalton had never worked on a feature film before.

With scream queen Amanda Wyss, however, it was a matter of dreaming big and taking a shot.

Amanda Wyss in Chris Moore’s Triggered

“I had just seen Amanda in a film called The Id, and she was just so good in that, and I thought she could bring the heart we needed for Gloria,” Moore explained.

He managed to get the script into her hands and to his great surprise, she immediately responded to the material and quickly came on board.

With the film finally finished, Moore headed to its premiere anticipating backlash from the audience on a number of levels, but to his surprise, very few of the expected points of contention seemed to come his way.

Rather, it was a love scene between Ian and another man that people found “off-putting”.

“The majority of comments I heard said ‘the scene between the two guys was a bit much,'” Moore said, laughing. “And I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Was it, though?’ For me, it was equally as gratuitous as any hetero sex scene I’ve seen in a horror film and the haters on this point can suck it up. They’re only uncomfortable because it was two men.”

I guess you might say they were triggered…

Triggered is currently on the festival circuit with its next appearance scheduled at Horror on Sea in the UK. To keep up with screening announcements and other news from the film, follow their official Facebook page!

 

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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