PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Spooky season is almost over (although for some of us it’s all-year-round), which means horror movie binge marathons! So if you’re looking for something new to watch, I’d highly recommend Harland Manor, which is now streaming on Tubi. I recently had a chance to chat with the author about his career, the inspiration behind Harland Manor, his thoughts on horror, and more!
PopHorror – Hey Steven. How is 2021 treating you so far?
Steven R. Monroe – I’d have to say 2021 is pretty crappy and, in a way, worse than 2020. Covid is still killing people, and the film industry keeps putting its head further up its own butt… I’ll just leave it there.
PopHorror – Completely agree. How did you get involved with filmmaking?
Steven R. Monroe – I was born into a family with a father who was a cameraman and my mother was a theatre producer and director. I was on film sets my entire life and never wanted to do anything else really. Since I was 8 I told my parents I wanted to be a director. So after High School, I went to work in the camera department and began to mold my craft. When I was 30 I started directing. Back then you had to work your way up. No one handed you anything you had to work your ass off and prove yourself.
PopHorror – Hell yes! You seem to enjoy the horror genre as much as I do, what’s your favorite horror film?
Steven R. Monroe – I love all genres as long as the film is good. When I did the I Spit On Your Grave remake I started to be called a horror director. I do love the genre but I also like Drama, I like Thrillers, I like Action… But my favorite Horror film hands down is The Exorcist.
PopHorror – Same here. Can you tell us about your new horror film, Harland Manor?
Steven R. Monroe – Harland Manor is about a team of paranormal investigators with a successful Internet show. They became popular by never backing down and provoking the spirits. But in the final episode of the show the entities they are chasing begin to get to them mentally and physically and bad things start to happen. They take on a Manor that also was a hospital where young women used to go for not only mental health issues but abortions from the turn of the century until the early 1940s. Horrible things were done to them by an awful Doctor and his wife and now the ghost of the evil Doctor and a young girl who was believed to be possessed by the devil himself still walk the grounds of the Manor and Hospital.
PopHorror – What inspired the story?
Steven R. Monroe – I always liked the paranormal investigation films but felt I could add to it by bringing the Psychological Thriller element in it and adding some drama.
PopHorror – Love it! Any memorable or favorite scenes?
Steven R. Monroe – I really like 2 scenes but can really only say that one plays out in a basement where abortions were secretly done to young women, and the other in a closet where the young girl was poisoned and left to die and one of the team shuts himself in there to try and contact her.
PopHorror – I get chills just talking about it. Seriously. How do you hope audiences react to the film?
Steven R. Monroe – I hope that the audience gives the film a chance not thinking it’s just another paranormal investigation film. I do not feel like it is, and I hope the thriller and Drama aspect of the film draws people in. It’s not one of those jump scare, gore fest horror films…. There is a lot of blood and creepy scenes that stay with you.
PopHorror – What’s next for you?
Steven R. Monroe – I just wrapped another Horror film for Tubi and Cartel Pictures called Unborn, which is a Rosemary’s Baby type Horror/ Thriller, and am currently editing that.
PopHorror – Well, I look forward to that and all your upcoming endeavors. I am a huge fan of your work and although you appreciate all genres, like myself, the horror community is happy to have you!
