Living With Chucky director Kyra Gardner is back in the director’s chair, this time for her narrative feature debut, Slay. Gardner describes the upcoming slasher as “Bodies Bodies Bodies meets The Breakfast Club.” Ok, we’re listening! Based on a story by Zoey Luna (The Craft: Legacy), who also stars in the film, and Jimmi Simpson. The supporting cast is rounded out by Aya Cash (The Boys), Malina Weissman (A Series of Unfortunate Events), Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs), and Shawnee Smith (SAW franchise).
Horror fans will recognize some familiar faces (and names) behind the scenes as well. The killer Slay team includes Jimmi Simpson (Studio 666, Westworld) writing and producing, and Tony Gardner (Hocus Pocus, Freaky) on FX.
The story follows a group of friends during spring break, as the backstabbing gets literal. And speaking of familiar faces, the killer “Kidface” may feel eerily familiar (this will make sense when you watch the trailer below). Writer Jimmi Simpson shared, “I’m fascinated by the intensity of high school friendships- social death feels worse than actual death. So I wondered- what happens when both are on the table?”
Principal photography on Slay wrapped in Ohio last summer. As the team makes its way through post-production, they are now working on raising funds to reach the finish line. With a stellar team attached, the fundraising perks are pretty next level, including one-on-one time with actor, writer, producer Jimmi Simpson or an FX Master Class with the legendary FX master, Tony Gardner.
For those who may not know, Tony Gardner is Kyra’s dad, so the family collaboration on this is especially wonderful to see. Here’s what Tony had to say about his time on the Slay set: “I had been on set for two of Kyra's previous short film shoots, so I wasn't surprised by the organization and communication. This was her first narrative feature, though, so the workload was a lot larger, the crew was larger, and she had a cast of characters to define and also wrangle on set.
As her dad I was super proud to see all of this happening on such a larger scale, and really proud to watch her lead the troops on set and keep up the morale and energy through a month of night shoots in such an isolated location – while getting really great shots and performances at the same time. She created a real sense of a ‘team,’ and I think that the collaborative aspect brings out the best in everyone.”
Slay was a reunion of sorts for Shawnee Smith and Tony Gardner after working together on The Blob in 1988. Kyra was of course aware of Smith’s work, but they had never met. “When we were casting the role of Jenna, Shawnee came to mind. I reached out and told her it would be an honor to start my career with her as she did with my dad in his career back on The Blob in 1988.”
Smith shared it was an immediate yes for her, “Kyra sent me a letter and I was like, I'll do anything for you any time. It was one of those life moments.”
The full circle moment was a special one for Tony Gardner. “The fact that Shawnee Smith agreed to be in Kyra's film meant a lot to me personally. The Blob was my first film heading up my own effects crew on a studio film, and it holds a place near and dear in my heart.” Tony explained. “Shawnee was 19 at the time, and I was 24, so we were basically kids working together to bring this story to life and make the title creature scary. My wife Cindy, was our makeup effects coordinator on The Blob, and she also played a cheerleader alongside Shawnee, who dies in the theater scene, so to have all of us working together again so many years later – and all for Kyra – made it a real family affair, and a great reunion!”
When it came to diving straight into the deep end for this slasher, Kyra shared, “I wanted to make a horror film where the fear felt personal and the style didn't apologize for being fun. The cast didn't just perform the friendships and betrayals – they built them in real time, and that layered energy gave the movie its pulse. I got to direct a room full of future powerhouses.”
Learn more about Slay and how to get involved right here, and watch the newly released trailer below.
