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Cult Killer stars Antonio Banderas, Alice Eve, and Shelley Hennig
Meanwhile his producing credits include the action film Guns Up, starring Kevin James and Christina Ricci; The Kill Room, starring Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson; Bandit with Mel Gibson and Josh Duhamel, the book-based film Rare Objects, starring Katie Holmes with Alan Cummings, and Becky starring Kevin James and Lulu Wilson.
So take this time to get to know a bit about Jon Keeyes and his recent work, Cult Killer.
1. If you had to describe Cult Killer in 3 adjectives, what would they be?
Tense, intriguing and mysterious.
2. What was your reaction when you first watched the trailer of “Cult Killer?”
I was thrilled. A lot of times we will get an initial trailer to review and it doesn't hit the mark, but with the trailer put together for CULT KILLER, I felt they did a fantastic job capturing the tone of the movie, and creating the necessary interest of what the movie promises to deliver.
3. How was your experience working with Charles Burnley on this film?
Charles and I have been friends for close to 25 years. We've written scripts together before, and we've done a few small projects together, so when he presented me this script, completely out of the blue, I read it and fell in love with it immediately. Charles is also a professional so he took notes and feedback great. I'll work with Charles and day of the week, and we're hoping to do more together.
4. Were there other titles you came up with before Cult Killer? If so, what were they?
The original title was The Last Girl, which we felt was appropriate to the story and what was being discovered. However, the distributor felt that it was too close to "the final girl," a term used in the horror genre. They didn't want people to confuse the terms and think it was a horror movie, which I could completely understand.
5. What’s your favorite line from the film?
"I will murder you, bitch," which Cassie shouts to a thug. It comes so completely out of the blue, and is so unexpected, that it displays a level of anger from Cassie that is so on point with the inner turmoil she's dealing with.
6. What was the most challenging scene to film and why?
Without giving things away, the most challenging scene was the final showdown. When you're dealing with elements like this, with all the actors at such a high level of emotion, it can be exhausting. You have to be completely on your game, and totally prepared, to get through it as quick as possible before you burn out your actors.
7. What was the most enjoyable thing about directing Cult Killer?
There were so many things that made for Cult Killer being one of the most enjoyable movie's I've directed. I would say it's a combination of the incredible, rich landscape and environment of Ireland that lent itself so well to the movie's overall tone, an utterly amazing crew from top to bottom, and being able to direct incredible actors all the way through the cast.
8. Did you make a cameo in the film? If so, what scene?
I didn't. Sometimes I will step in to a background role, or art department will use my face as a photo somewhere, but we didn't on this one as it didn't feel right.
9. Could you give a fun fact about your experience working with both Alice Eve and Antonio Banderas?
They are two of the most prepared actors I've worked with before. We were able to film their scenes in continuity, which means their characters got to meet each other for the first time as the first scene filmed, and then we filmed the progression of their relationship in order. Both of them clicked immediately with each other, which in turn allowed them to fully invest themselves in their characters and develop this father-daughter relationship organically, and fully.
10. Could you talk about your other cast members as well?
There were so many wonderful actors that it's hard to spotlight all of them. Shelley Hennig, of course, played Jamie, the third lead of the movie. Shelley and I connected ahead of time to work through her character, her backstory and the different emotional levels of the script, and she nailed them. For our three villains, I was presented with many great actors but as soon as I saw headshots for Olwen Fouere and Nick Dunning, I knew I needed them to be in the movie. I was familiar with much of their other work and believed they would nail these roles, which they did. The third villain, Victor Harrison, was played by my long time friend Matthew Tompkins. I had Matt in mind for the role all the way back to my initial reading of the script and was lucky enough to bring him to Ireland for this. And, of course, Paul Reid as Rory. I was also familiar with Paul's work and knew he'd be great in this role as a down to earth detective also driven for the truth.
11. Could you tell us how you made the jump from becoming an entertainment journalist to a filmmaker?
Back in 1998, I only intended to ever be a writer. In the course of being a journalist, I decided to write a screenplay called American Nightmare, which I figured I would just try to sell. I shared the script with my friend, actress Brinke Stevens, to get her feedback and she came to me and suggested that I should make it myself. It only took me a minute to think about it and decided to jump in with both feet. It was the second day of filming that I realized I wanted to be a director more than anything, and I never looked back.
12. You produced the book-based film “rare objects” starring Katie Holmes, could you talk about the genesis of that project? What made you want to adapt the novel into a feature film?
I got brought into Rare Objects late in the project through Yale Productions, a company I had been working for at the time. We had already produced her movie Along Together and wanted to do more together. Rare Objects was a book that Katie had optioned and really wanted to direct, so we jump onboard and worked with her to bring it to life.
13.Have you considered turning any other short story, novella, novel or even an article into a feature film? If so, which one?
I'm always on the look out for really great stories that I would like to tell. I do have a few books that I would like to adapt, and have more recently been working on acquiring some rights, but it's still too early to say. One novel I know I would love to do, which is really about the love of remaking one of my favorite movies, and that is Something Wicked This Way Comes. Between Bradbury's book, the original movie, and current technology, I would love to direct that one.
14.What were your hobbies as a kid? What are your hobbies now?
Movies, movies, and movies. I've always had a passion for movies. Beyond that, I've always been an avid book reader. If there is one thing I would call as a regular hobby, it's genealogy. My grandma Jessie did genealogy, and as a young kid I fell in love with family history. I've been doing genealogy since I was 11 years old.
15. Last question, Who are you rooting for to win Best Director for 2024 Oscars?
There were so many wonderful movies in 2023 and so many deserving directors, but my nod goes to Christoper Nolan. He has made one incredible movie after another, and with what he achieved with Oppenheimer, I'm hoping for him.
One more thing, when you talk to Antonio Banderas, tell him that he did a superb job in this film and I can't wait for his next film project with you directing in the future, okay?
Hahahaha. Yes, absolutely. I actually have directed one more movie with Antonio called "The Clean Up Crew." It's an action-comedy that will be coming out this summer.