Zach Cregger on 'Barbarian': How a Comedy Director Made the Year's Most Unpredictable Horror Film
📷 Image source: gizmodo.com
From Comedy to Chaos
The Unlikely Pivot of Zach Cregger
Zach Cregger, best known as one-half of the comedy duo behind 'The Whitest Kids U’ Know,' didn’t seem like the obvious choice to helm a horror movie. But 'Barbarian,' his directorial debut in the genre, has become one of the year’s most talked-about films—precisely because it defies expectations.
Cregger’s background in sketch comedy might explain the film’s tonal whiplash, a quality that’s left audiences equal parts thrilled and disoriented. 'I wanted to make something that felt like it was constantly pulling the rug out from under you,' Cregger admits. 'Horror fans are smart. They’ve seen it all. So you have to surprise them.'
The Plot That Refuses to Sit Still
Why 'Barbarian' Keeps You Guessing
Without spoiling the madness, 'Barbarian' starts as a seemingly straightforward story about a double-booked Airbnb. Tess (Georgina Campbell) arrives late at night to find Keith (Bill SkarsgÃ¥rd) already settled in. Is he a creep? A nice guy? The film toys with these questions before veering into territory so wild, even seasoned horror fans couldn’t predict it.
Cregger’s script plays with audience expectations like a cat with a mouse. 'I love the idea of setting up tropes just to dismantle them,' he says. The film’s midpoint twist is so jarring that some viewers have reportedly walked out, while others cheered. 'If you’re not pissing someone off, you’re not doing it right,' Cregger laughs.
The Underground Nightmare
How Cregger Built His Monster
The film’s most unsettling sequences take place in a labyrinthine basement, a setting Cregger says was inspired by real-life fears. 'I’m claustrophobic, so the idea of being trapped underground is my personal hell,' he explains. The production team built the tunnels as a single, interconnected set to heighten the actors’ discomfort. 'You could hear Georgina’s breathing get faster just because she knew there was no easy way out.'
The creature design, a grotesque blend of practical effects and subtle CGI, is another standout. Cregger worked closely with the effects team to ensure the monster felt 'both horrifying and weirdly tragic.' It’s a testament to the film’s ability to balance shock with substance.
Why Horror Needs Fresh Voices
The Genre’s New Golden Age
Cregger’s success with 'Barbarian' is part of a larger trend: filmmakers from outside horror bringing new perspectives to the genre. Jordan Peele (another comedian-turned-horror-auteur) paved the way, but Cregger’s approach is distinctly his own. 'Horror is the most flexible genre there is,' he says. 'You can talk about anything—gender, class, trauma—as long as you’re also scaring the shit out of people.'
The film’s unexpected social commentary, particularly on toxic masculinity and systemic neglect, has sparked debates. Cregger insists he wasn’t trying to lecture. 'I just wanted to make something that felt true. If people see deeper meaning, that’s awesome. But first and foremost, I wanted to make a rollercoaster.'
What’s Next for Cregger?
From Underground Tunnels to New Frontiers
After 'Barbarian’s' success, Cregger is already being courted for bigger projects. But he’s hesitant to jump into franchise filmmaking. 'I’d rather make something small and weird than something safe and boring,' he says. He’s tight-lipped about specifics but hints at another horror project—this time with a sci-fi twist.
For now, he’s enjoying the ride. 'A year ago, I was the guy from that old comedy show. Now I’m the guy who made that fucked-up horror movie. I’ll take it.'
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