SDCC 2023: Bishal Dutta, Director of It Lives Inside, Reveals His Distinctive Horror Vision

Bishal Dutta: First of all, thank you so much for having me here, it’s so exciting to be talking to you. This story came from a desire to tell a very intense, audience-focused rollercoaster ride of a horror film. Because I had always loved horror films, and I had very strong experiences with them. I was 16 when the first Conjuring came out, and kids were daring each other to go see it. That really audience-focused kind of horror I wanted to do, but then within that, I wanted to tell a cultural story. And to think about within the great horror films, what was my family doing during that? What would’ve happened if it was my family in the midst of that? So it was that kind of dual project that started the whole thing.

Bishal Dutta: Certainly. I love to think about what I call the Amblin adjacent horror films of the ’80s, right? Something like a Poltergeist, for example, or the original Nightmare on Elm Street, where you’re still getting these Reagan’s suburbs essentially, but they’re darker, they’re poking at something a little deeper. And then there’s so many great films that I could go on about, but certain films that I think just feel very latent with meaning.

I think about Nightmare on Elm Street 2 is a great one, John Carpenter’s Christine is a great one, and then rnrnI absolutely love the Canadian film, Ginger Snaps. These movies are incredibly entertaining and fun to watch, but they also leave a lasting impact. They delve into real human experiences beyond just fear, and that’s what makes them so special.

Bishal Dutta: Absolutely. This is my first feature film, and I was incredibly fortunate to work with QC Entertainment and Neon, who were amazing partners and provided tremendous support throughout the process. For me, horror is all about perspective. I always ask myself, “Why make a horror film in the first place?” There are certain emotions and experiences that can be expressed more effectively through the language of horror.

In this movie, we explore the struggles that real teenagers go through, and it felt more honest and immersive to portray them in a horror setting. When crafting horror scenes and scares, I focus on understanding the nuances of fear as an emotion. There are countless types, tones, and intensities of fear, and the best horror filmmakers know how to evoke fear in a multitude of ways.

Bishal Dutta: The Indian American experience is unique, but this movie was always intended to be universal. It was meant to resonate with everyone. Growing up, I often felt caught between two worlds, and I believe many immigrants can relate to that. When people ask if this is an Indian film or an American film, I see it as both, just like myself. The horror genre is particularly effective at expressing internal conflicts, and that’s why it adds a fresh perspective.

I remember feeling like an outsider, constantly under scrutiny, during my middle school and high school years. These intellectual ideas formed a solid foundation for a horror film because those feelings are universal, especially in the context of high school. It becomes easier to incorporate genuine scares when the story already has that underlying sense of fear.

Bishal Dutta: Absolutely. Directing this film has been a transformative experience for me. I’ve gained a whole new understanding of filmmaking, thanks to the incredible people I had the opportunity to work with. One of the most important lessons I learned is to prioritize the audience experience. It has become a crucial aspect of my filmmaking process. I constantly think about how the audience will feel in every moment of the film, whether they’ll recoil or lean in.

I want to provide the audience with a dynamic and immersive experience throughout the entire runtime of the movie. This focus on the audience’s emotional journey has become even more pronounced as I work on new projects. It’s about creating a visceral response and keeping the audience engaged from start to finish.

Bishal Dutta: Absolutely! The passion here is unbelievable. I love being surrounded by passionate people, and Comic-Con is a gathering of individuals who love media, comic books, video games, and movies. It’s a vibrant and exciting atmosphere that I’m thoroughly enjoying.

Is this the first time that the public was able to see the film?

Yeah, I love that place.

Yeah. It’s one of the best, not only it’s festivals, but cities to hold that. I love Austin

Great city.

Let’s talk about your brilliant cast, because they’re absolutely great in this film. What did they bring to the roles that wasn’t necessarily on the page?

Wow, what an incredible ensemble of actors! I have to say, Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Betty Gabriel, Vik Sahay, Gage Marsh, and Mohana Krishnan are the best I’ve ever worked with. Their performances in this film were absolutely mind-blowing. They brought so much depth and authenticity to their characters, going beyond the surface level of the dialogue.

As a writer, I initially wanted the script to be dialogue-heavy and clear. But as I saw these actors bring their characters to life, I found myself trusting them so much that I started cutting dialogue left and right. They truly embodied their roles and added a visual performance that elevated the story.

I used a lot of close-ups in this movie because I wanted to capture the humanity of these incredible actors. Just letting the camera sit on them gave me so much emotion and depth. When I was writing the film, I drew inspiration from real-life people I knew, like family, friends, and cousins. And seeing these actors on screen, they felt so real to me because of the incredible performances they delivered.

Now, let’s talk about what I hope audiences will take away from this film. First and foremost, I want to entertain them. I want to create a horror movie that captures the same excitement and thrill I felt when I was 13 or 14 years old, sitting in a movie theater, completely captivated by films like Paranormal Activity or Insidious. I want people to scream, hold their breath, and feel that magical experience.

But within the entertainment, I also want the audience to see something unique within the horror genre. I want them to see a real family, a family that looks and behaves like their own. I want them to feel a sense of reality and connection to the characters on screen. That’s the kind of horror movie I strive to make.

And that’s what “It Lives Inside” is all about. It’s a film that combines thrilling horror with relatable characters, brought to life by an incredible cast. I hope you’re as excited to watch it as I am to share it with you.In a gripping tale, our protagonist’s cultural identity takes a dramatic turn when she has a falling out with her former best friend. Little does she know, this unfortunate event unleashes a malevolent demonic entity that thrives on her feelings of loneliness, growing stronger with each passing moment.

It Lives Inside is set to hit theaters on September 22, promising an intense and captivating experience.