Australian genre filmmaker Kiah Roache-Turner (Sting, Beast of War) is set to direct the upcoming horror movie Don’t Look, reuniting him with rising star Alyla Browne (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga). Variety broke the news, with Roache-Turner also discussing the project and his latest collaboration with Browne in an exclusive interview.
Previously titled From Below, the film was originally intended to serve as the directorial debut of writer Sean Loch. However, Roache-Turner has taken over directing duties due to scheduling issues. The filmmaker, who is currently in post-production on the World War I action horror movie Lady Death (formerly known as Dogs of War), joins the project as it heads to the American Film Market, where Cornerstone is handling sales.
Roache-Turner didn’t hesitate when asked about what attracted him to the film: “Quite simply that it was one of the best scripts I’ve ever read. I was intrigued at first by the premise and the idea of a single-location, desert-set creature feature. When Sean approached me with the idea of directing it my tongue nearly got whiplash I said yes so fast.“
Set against the backdrop of the Australian outback, Don’t Look follows 15-year-old Riley (Browne), travelling across the outback with her father when they come across two seemingly abandoned cars at an isolated desert crossing. When an invisible force drags her father away Riley finds herself in a life-or-death struggle against a terrifying creature that is only visible to its next victim.
The film is described as a “fresh take” on the road movie horror genre, where the “true source of fear remains elusive and unseen.”
Roache-Turner is particularly enthusiastic about the creature at the center of the story, teasing something audiences haven’t encountered before. “Well, I don’t want to give the game away but we’re up against a monster that I’ve never really seen before onscreen. It’s such weird creature and so beautifully and horrifically creepy that I’ve decided to change my entire visual style just to accommodate Sean’s insanely original narrative.“
He added: “All I can say at this stage is that it’s as scary as all hell and there are scenes in this movie that are going to traumatize people very deeply. Of course, those are the scenes I’m most looking forward to directing!“
Browne previously worked with Roache-Turner on Sting, the filmmaker’s giant spider horror movie. Her other credits include Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Nine Perfect Strangers. The director is clearly excited about getting another opportunity to work with the young actress, who has continued building an impressive career since their first collaboration.
“She’s going to be a massive star one day so I want to make as many films with her as I can before she gets too famous and Spielberg snaps her up.“
Alongside Browne, the cast includes George Pullar (Evil Dead Burn), Masha Basman (Bay of Fires), and Stephen Peacocke (Me Before You).
Don’t Look was developed with filmmaker Joel Anderson (Late Night with the Devil, Lake Mungo). Loch’s original screenplay was featured on The Black List, where it trended under “Top Horror Scripts” for six weeks.
The producers are Blake Northfield, Michelle Krumm, and Sam Price.
Does Don’t Look sound interesting to you? Share your thoughts on this new Kiah Roache-Turner / Alyla Browne collaboration by leaving a comment below.