Christopher Landon is reuniting with the folks at Blumhouse for another twisty, thrill ride in To tear down. Landon’s collaborative history with the independent production studio began in 2010 Paranormal Activity 2becoming the Paranormal Activity The franchise’s main writer on almost all subsequent installments, including directing the 2014 spinoff The Markedand although he was not part of the team in the original last installment, but would return to Next of kin. In addition Paranormal ActivityLandon also made a name for himself with the Happy death day films and Strangeas well as Netflix’s supernatural comedy We have a ghost.
In To tear downLandon tells the story of Violet, a young widowed mother who goes on her first date in years with a man named Henry at an upscale restaurant. Although things start off well, the night gradually takes a turn when an unknown person begins airing various threats and an indication that the person is the hooded figure she sees on her home’s security cameras. To make everything stop and keep her family safe, Violet is faced with an unthinkable request.
THE To tear down cast is led by Emmy nominee White Lotus former student Meghann Fahy as Violet next door 1923Brandon Sklenar as Henry Truth or DareViolett Beanne, Jacob Robinson, money ballReed Diamonds, Book of Power IV: StrengthIt’s Gabrielle Ryan, Mack and RitaJeffrey Self, The Mindy ProjectEd Weeks and The lakeIt’s Travis Nelson. Landon’s partnership with fellow Blumhouse veterans Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach, who previously co-wrote the studio’s film Fantasy Island reboot, the film aims to offer a thought-provoking, fast-paced exploration of modern technology and dating.
In honor of New York Comic Con 2024, Screen speech interviewed Christopher Landon and Meghann Fahy to discuss To tear downsome of the themes explored in Blumhouse’s twisty thriller, being careful to share too many details about the film, why Landon was drawn to Jacobs and Roach’s script, the continued wait for Happy Death Day 3 to be done, and Fahy’s thoughts on a potential White Lotus return.
To tear down It was made to be a “Hitchcockian“Thriller with modern technology
“…you realize how something seemingly so benign can turn into something sinister.”
Screen Rant: Chris, the first question is for you. This is far from his first collaboration with Blumhouse. Can you talk about the film, To tear downand what can we expect from him?
Christopher Landon: Yeah, so Drop is a very fast-paced thriller, mostly contained in one location. It’s kind of a ’90s Hitchcockian thriller with modern technology, and it’s very intense and really scary.
How do you balance the realistic portrayal of technology with the thriller aspect of the film?
Christopher Landon: I mean, look, the suspense aspect of the movie exists because of the technology, and so they’re very much tied together, and I think what was so fun about that was that we were able to take something that’s familiar to everyone – the technology that we all use it – and then it becomes a weapon, and you realize how something seemingly so benign can turn into something sinister. I think that’s really the relatable emotion of the film.
What it does To tear down unique, and how did Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach’s script stand out from other Blumhouse thrillers?
Christopher Landon: Look, they wrote a really compelling script. It was very exciting and I read a lot, it’s part of my job, and it was a pleasure to read it, and I knew there was a lot there that we could explore. There is no good film made with a bad script. Unless you like really bad movies, which I do too, then maybe I should take this out. But yeah, it was just a really strong script with a really good concept and, even better, the character I really wanted to travel with.
Violet’s relationship with her family is central to the film’s stakes.
“What wouldn’t you do for the people you love?”
What can you tell us about your character, Violet?
Meghann Fahy: Violet is a single mother who is dating for the first time in a long time. She is cautiously optimistic. She almost doesn’t go, but then her sister convinces her, and everything goes downhill from there.
Can you talk about Violet’s relationship with her son and sister and how that drives the action throughout the film?
Meghann Fahy: Well, yeah, it kind of creates stakes for the audience when these two relationships, which for Violet are the two most important relationships in her life. When that’s at risk, it becomes a situation of, “What wouldn’t you do for the people you love?” I think, obviously, as the film unfolds, this becomes very complicated because – well, I can’t say why. [Laughs] But yeah, ultimately I think that’s what really creates what’s at stake. We meet her son and sister first and care a lot about them, so once they’re in danger the audience will hopefully feel invested.
Christopher Landon: And this is a hard movie to talk about because there are so many secrets and spoilers and I have to hold back all the time when I talk about it because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. But that’s also part of the joy, because the audience will sit and watch the film, and they’ll be guessing the whole time.
To tear down It doesn’t dwell on its technology themes (but still “It looks so immersive“)
“…this theme and this idea magnified by a billion.”
I want to ask how the film investigates the vulnerabilities of personal technology. How do you think things will resonate with viewers?
Meghann Fahy: What’s so interesting is that, to me, it doesn’t feel like a movie commenting on this, and I’m not going to say how Chris did it, but he managed to make a movie where one of the main characters is a phone, but you don’t feel it. who is watching the film on the phone. He really nailed this way of presenting the film that feels so engaging and so character-focused.
At the end of the day, you’re dating these two people who are just getting to know each other and obviously there are all these outside circumstances that make it crazy. But I think, for me, it’s not that I don’t comment. Obviously, how can you avoid this? And the truth is that everyone who is alive and has a cell phone knows what it’s like to receive a random message, so it’s understandable in that way.
Christopher Landon: But I think that also fits into that – and again, it’s another thing that’s really relatable to people, that is being abused online, and how that is something that I know everyone can relate to. Everyone has experienced this on social media in one way or another, and how dangerous and threatening this anonymity can sometimes feel. So, it’s like this theme and this idea magnified by a billion.
If you were to tease our fans about Drop as a whole, what three words would you use to tease this film?
Meghann Fahy: Intense, surprising and romantic. I feel like people aren’t expecting romance. And they shouldn’t, because there aren’t any. I’m kidding. [Chuckles] Or am I? Guess you’ll have to find out on April 11th!
Christopher Landon: You did that very well. Suspenseful, funny –
Meghann Fahy: Unbalanced?
Christopher Landon: Unbalanced, I like that.
Happy Death Day 3 It’s “Nowhere near“Being done
“…it’s up to the people who control all the money.”
Now, Chris, changing the subject for a second. Happy death day is back in theaters in April I believe.
Christopher Landon: It actually came back to theaters a week ago. Just last Wednesday they held a one-night event, if I’m not mistaken. I wanted to be there, but I was on the mixing stage working on this movie, but they showed it in several AMC theaters.
I know Jessica said that Universal and Blumhouse just need to prepare for a third film. We are closer to achieving Happy Death Day 3 off the ground?
Christopher Landon: She made it look really good. No no. We’re not even close to making a third film. That’s just the truth. Look, I’ve said it a million times, we’d both love to do this, but it’s up to the people who control all the money.
Fahy feels “Very good“About leaving Daphne’s house White Lotus Journey ago
“…never say never, obviously.”
Changing the subject to you for a second. You’re killing it in mystery dramas about rich white people suffering murder. Did you talk to Mike White about returning to The White Lotus shortly?
Meghann Fahy: I feel really good about her journey. I love this character so much, and I mean, never say never, obviously. But no, I feel like she’s good. She’s in a good place. I think about her a lot.
On To tear down
Emmy nominee Meghann Fahy, the breakout star of The White Lotus and The Perfect Couple, plays Violet, a widowed mother on her first date in years, who arrives at an upscale restaurant where she is relieved that her boyfriend, Henry (Brandon Sklenar) , is more charming and handsome than she expected. But their chemistry begins to deteriorate when Violet becomes irritated and then terrorized by a series of anonymous messages on her phone.
She is told not to tell anyone and to follow instructions, or the hooded figure she sees on her home’s security cameras will kill Violet’s youngest son and his nanny sister. Violet must do exactly as instructed, or everyone she loves will die. The final directive of his invisible tormentor? Kill Henry.
Source: Screen Rant Plus