PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Although I love horror, it takes a lot to scare me. Psychological thrillers and films that mess with your head are typically the ones that affect me the most. That’s why I love Pyewacket (read my review here) so much. It’s definitely one my favorites thus far in 2018, and I was super excited to pick director Adam MacDonald’s brain about it.
Adam MacDonald is known for his bone-grinding horror film, Backcountry, which I also love. After watching Pyewacket, I now know he truly has what he takes to deliver a brilliant horror story, and I can’t wait to see what he does next! Read on to find out more about his career, his new film, his inspiration for it, and more.
His new film Pyewacket was released in select theaters, VOD and via digital platforms in the US on March 23!
Adam MacDonald
PopHorror – Thanks for talking with me, Adam! How did you get involved in this industry?
Adam MacDonald – I finished high school and worked in a snowboard shop for years. Eventually, I realized that working in film and television could be more than just a “dream.” I set out in the late ’90s and started my journey primarily as an actor. Ten years later, I directed my first short film, Sombre Zombie.
PopHorror – That’s awesome! What was the first film you ever worked on?
Adam MacDonald – Going to Kansas City. I played a smaller role, but I got to work with Michael Ironside. Yes, he was very intimidating, and still is.
PopHorror – There are no small parts! Looking at all the things you’ve been involved in, a lot of stuff seems to lean towards the horror genre. Is horror something you’re passionate about?
Adam MacDonald – My older brother baptized me in the fire of Evil Dead when I was very, very young, like 6 or 7 years old. It terrified me, excited me and shocked me. Changed my life. I’ve been a lover of the genre ever since. Thank you, Sam Raimi, and my brother!
PopHorror – Where did you come up with the idea for your new film, Pyewacket?
Adam MacDonald – I was reading William Friedkin’s biography, and it reminded me that he made a movie called The Guardian. I hadn’t seen that movie in years, so I watched it again. The nanny, who steals babies to sacrifice to her druid tree, names one of the baby’s stuffed animals Pyewacket. The name floored me. I knew I had the title of my next film.
PopHorror – That’s brilliant, love it! You have some amazing talent in this film. How did casting process come about?
Adam MacDonald – I had Laurie in mind for the mother, but I didn’t know if it was possible to approach her. Funny enough, Laurie and I had a chance meeting in Toronto during TIFF, completely serendipitous. I pitched her the film, and I will be forever grateful that she accepted. Feels meant to be. Nicole was introduced to me by our casting director, Stephanie Gorin. After seeing Nicole’s audition, there was no question she was Leah. Her performance gave me chills. Blew me away.
PopHorror – Same here! The mother/daughter relationship in this film is something I think a lot of people will relate to. Was that something you were hoping for?
Adam MacDonald – Oh yes, I hoping for a kind of pathos. To be honest, I used a lot of my own personal life in the story, which, I feel, helps the audience connect because it comes from the heart.
PopHorror – Yes, I definitely connected. Upon making this film, did you do any research on occults, rituals, stuff like that? Or did you just wing it with the information you already knew?
Adam MacDonald – Big time! I dove into research for months and months. Similar to how I studied black bears for Backcountry, I did the same with black magic for Pyewacket. I read and watched so much on the subject, a lot of Aleister Crowley and The Left Hand Path, etc. The deeper I got, the more intimidating it became. It really did scare me at times. I was afraid to go too far. It’s some scary shit!
What was so important to me was that, when someone sees the film and knows the subject intimately, they will see her do the ritual and go “Yes, that’s it! They took the subject seriously and it shows.” I wanted it to feel as authentic as possible.
PopHorror – It definitely shows that you put the work in! It takes a lot to scare me, and I definitely was at the edge of my seat during most of the film. It was super creepy! Without giving any spoilers away, which scene do you think is the most frightening?
Adam MacDonald – That’s great! Thanks for telling me, very cool. There are two parts in the film that really scare me. But the one that always gets under my skin – sounds cheesy cause I made it, but it’s true! It really is a nightmare of mine – is when the shadow is sitting in the dark in the corner of her bedroom, where the ceiling and wall meet. God! Can you imagine opening your eyes and seeing that?
PopHorror – Yes! That’s definitely a frightening, hair-raising scene. One of the reasons I think this film is effective in telling a bone-chilling, well-crafted story is the fear of the unknown. You never know what’s going to happen next or who to believe. What’s real, what’s not. Do you agree?
Adam MacDonald – Oh, absolutely! I love when a film takes its time, and you’re not sure when something terrible is going to happen but you know it will… That tension is so powerful. I think of The Shining and The House of the Devil, those films do it so, so well. I love that type of story, patient… not wall to wall jumps scares and music. There is a great quote On the Nature of Creepiness by Francis T. McAndrew and Sarah S. Koehnke: “Creepiness is anxiety aroused by the ambiguity of rather there is something to fear or not and or the ambiguity of the precise nature of the threat.” I love that!
PopHorror – Oooh, me too! Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to talk about beyond this one?
Adam MacDonald – I wish I can say more, but I’m about to direct a TV show for Netflix. I’m very excited about it, especially since it stays in the genre I love.
PopHorror – Can’t wait to find out what it is! Thanks for talking with PopHorror, Adam, and I look forward to all your endeavors.
