Whistle Director Reveals a Personal Tragedy That Drew Him to Horror Film

Director Corin Hardy has revealed that his decision to direct Whistle was influenced by a personal family story. In an interview, the filmmaker spoke about how that experience drew him to Owen Egerton’s script. The horror movie follows teenagers who face a supernatural threat, while also focusing on a developing romance between leads.

Corin Hardy shares story about cousins that made him do Whistle

Corin Hardy has revealed that beyond the horror premise, Whistle was shaped as much by personal experience. He shared that the romantic arc between its two leads persuaded him to move forward with the project. The connection between Dafne Keen’s Chrys and Sophie Nélisse’s Ellie plays a major role in the story, unfolding alongside the escalating danger faced by the characters.

Speaking to CBR, Hardy explained that Owen Egerton’s screenplay, adapted from his own short story, stood out to him because of its focus on “authentic relationship.” The director said that his cousin, Poppy, and her girlfriend closely resembled Chrys and Ellie. He added, “It gave me the license to want to tell their tale as well. They were both very artistic. They loved music and horror, funnily enough. I could see my cousin in these characters.”

Hardy said that the pair had died under tragic circumstances connected to their relationship. “They both very sadly died almost through their own love. It was something that I was able to tap into,” he stated. He also praised Keen and Nélisse for their performances, adding, “They just made something very real.”

The director shared that the relationship between Ellie and Chrys was the key reason he wanted to make the film. “The human story is really important to me,” he explained. Along with Keen and Nélisse, the cast includes Sky Yang, Jhaleil Swaby, and Ali Skovbye. They play teenagers drawn into the crisis after interfering with an ancient Aztec death whistle. Their decision sets off a chain of events that forces the group to fight for their lives.

Source: Comingsoon.net