Directors Adam Schindler and Brian Netto are excited to reunite with acclaimed filmmaker Sam Raimi, following their initial collaboration in 2020. The first trailer for Don’t Move premiered on Thursday during Netflix’s Geeked Week 2024 event in Atlanta.
According to Netflix, Don’t Move follows a seasoned serial killer who injects a grieving woman with a paralytic agent while they are isolated in a remote forest. As the agent begins to immobilize her, she must fight for her life against all odds before her nervous system shuts down completely. The film is set to premiere on Netflix on October 25.
The cast includes Kelsey Asbille (Yellowstone, Fargo Season 4), Finn Wittrock (American Horror Story, Ratched), Daniel Francis (Bridgerton), and Moray Treadwell (Downton Abbey).
Schindler and Netto, who grew up in Minnesota, made their feature film debut with the indie horror thriller Delivery: The Beast Within in 2013, followed by Intruders in 2015. Their first project with Raimi was the Quibi horror anthology 50 States of Fright, where they wrote and directed the Minnesota episode, “Grey Cloud Island,” based on a local urban legend.
Schindler and Netto expressed their admiration for Raimi’s unwavering enthusiasm throughout the film’s production in Bulgaria. As Don’t Move is partly produced by Raimi Productions, Netto highlighted Raimi’s role as a supportive mentor during the filmmaking process.
Recalling a dinner before shooting commenced, Netto noted, “He said, ‘I’m so nervous,’ and we asked, ‘What are you nervous for?’ He shared how he felt nervous before every film he’s made.” This moment underscored the humility and approachability that have characterized Raimi’s illustrious career, even as he celebrated his own success.
“Raimi is 100% one of our most influential filmmakers,” Netto remarked. “Hearing him share his experiences made us realize that nobody has all the answers. We’re all in this together.”
Schindler emphasized how committed Raimi was to maximizing the potential of every aspect of Don’t Move. “They say, ‘Don’t meet your heroes,’ but in Sam’s case, it was the opposite. He was available whenever we needed him, spending hours going over the script with us.”
As they crafted the character of Iris, played by Asbille, the directors were mindful of the film’s emotional impact. Raimi insisted that the audience must feel the dread of Iris’s situation, whether she is capable of movement or not.
“It was all about how the audience perceives the film,” Schindler explained, adding that Raimi’s advice focused on ensuring that viewers felt connected to every moment of the story.
The directors were thrilled by Raimi’s positive response to their director’s cut. “He was very much just experiencing the movie, jumping and cheering. He was genuinely excited about it,” Schindler said.
Despite Raimi’s significant involvement, Netto clarified that they never felt pressured to emulate his style. “The gift he gave us was the idea that this is your film, guys,” Netto stated. Throughout the process, Raimi encouraged them to express their own vision while offering guidance.
With Don’t Move set for release next month, Schindler and Netto are eager to continue their partnership with Raimi. “It was a wonderful learning experience,” Schindler said. “We have a couple more projects with him, and we’re definitely in the Sam business.”
Don’t Move will be available on Netflix starting October 25.
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