In this week’s upcoming episode of The Discourse, director Scott Derrickson (“Doctor Strange,” “Sinister,” “The Black Phone”) stops by to discuss “V/H/S/85.” The sixth installment of the beloved horror anthology series, this edition follows five sinister found footage tales that delve into the grim underbelly of 1980s America, one of which is directed by Derrickson (others include David Bruckner, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Natasha Kermani, and more) and it also features his two sons Dashiell as an actor in the short, and Atticus, as the composer.
That is, for sure, an interesting chat, as are Derrickson’s discussions about departing Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” sequel and more. But it was also a pleasant surprise; at the end of the conversation, Derrickson spoke about his two favorite films of the year, so far anyhow.
One is in his wheelhouse and maybe more obvious than the other, “When Evil Lurks,” which opens in theaters this weekend and recently debuted at Fantastic Fest (you can watch the trailer here). The other might not be what you would think Derrickson calls his favorite film of the year (before amending himself and saying both “Barbie” and “When Evil Lurks” are his two fave films of the year, the order of which, you’ll just have to guess for now).
The conversation began around I.P., franchises, and brands that seem to consume Hollywood. His upcoming film, “The Gorge,” starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy, is an original film which he prides himself on. But he isn’t discounting big-budget I.P. in the future and thinks they can be great when done well.
“By the way, those movies can be amazing,” Derrickson said about movies based on I.P. comics, video games, or even toys. “I think ‘Barbie’ is the best film I’ve seen this year—well, maybe that’s not true; I saw this horror film, ‘When Evil Lurks’ at Fantastic Fest, but ‘Barbie’ and ‘When Evil Lurks’ those are my two favorite films of the year, which couldn’t be further away from each other.”
Derrickson then cited “Barbie” as an excellent example of a film based on an existing intellectual property that is still challenging to audiences, enjoyable, and thought-provoking.
“’ Barbie’ is a good example of populist I.P. that was treated with true brilliance,” he enthused. “That’s an extraordinary movie on every level. I think it should probably win Best Picture; the writing is so clever and so smart and subversive, the acting is amazing, and it’s so entertaining, it’s artful in its visuals, the style of it, it’s just an awesome film.”
One has to wonder if “Barbie” is connecting the same way with Academy members and filmmakers thanks to its craft and four-wall appeal, no matter what genre team they’re usually on.
As for “When Evil Lurks,” it received pretty amazing praise that IFC Films and Shudder should know about. Derrickson calls it one of “the best horror films I’ve ever seen” and had major credit for Argentinian horror director Demián Rugna and its originality, which actually took him aback.
“It’s as hardcore, transgressive, shocking, and violent as a horror film can be,” Derrickson said with the highest of praise. “But it’s not gratuitous, in the sense of everything that’s in there is serving the severity of the story. What’s amazing about it is that I cannot think of another time in my adult life, post-film education, post-horror-knowledge—I can’t think of the last time I saw a horror film where I had no feelings of references to other films. It didn’t remind me of anything else, and it was just so utterly original, and its mythology is scarier than any Christian demonology I’ve seen on screen.”
Wow, ok. It’s time to check that one out this weekend, then! And Rugna and Greta Gerwig, send Derrickson a fruit basket!
“V/H/S/85” is streaming on Shudder on Friday, October 6; IFC Films and Shudder are putting out “When Evil Lurks” also tomorrow, October 6, and the billion-dollar-grossing “Barbie” is pretty much available now anywhere you can rent movies on VOD. You can hear the whole discussion Discourse podcast discussion shortly.
