SXSW 2024: Kourtney Roy Talks About Making Her Full-Length Directorial Debut with ‘Kryptic’

Kourtney Roy steps into the director’s chair with her highly-anticipated psycho-thriller, Kryptic, marking her captivating full-length directorial debut. Premiering at SXSW, the film boasts a stellar cast featuring Chloe Pirrie as Kay/Barb, Jeff Gladstone as Morgan, and Jason Deline as Caleb.

As Kay finds herself ensnared in a web of uncertainty after a peculiar encounter in the woods wipes her memory clean, she realizes she bears an uncanny resemblance to the vanished monster hunter, Barb Valentine. Fleeing from an intruder, she embarks on a journey with no destination in sight, driven by the need to uncover the truth behind Barb’s enigmatic disappearance. What begins as a quest for self-discovery soon morphs into a perilous pursuit of the elusive monster lurking in the shadows.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Kourtney about Kryptic, her collaboration with star Chloe Pirrie, how her experiences as a photographer lent themselves to her work as a director, shooting on location, and more.

PC: Your feature film directorial debut is making its world premiere at SXSW. How did Paul Bromley’s script come across your desk? What was it about this story that resonated with you?
Kourtney: Paul is actually a friend of mine. I’ve known him for years. It was actually four years ago when we were drinking wine together when he asked, “Can I write a script for you?” I responded with, “You want to write a short?” He was like, “No, I want to write a proper feature.” So we actually worked on it together. He wrote it, but we brainstormed ideas together. Then he would take away whatever we discussed throughout that day and he would write it and do what he does. He’d come back to me with different drafts and whatnot. It was such an organic process working together.

PC: This project does not work unless you have the right actress playing Kay/Barb. Chloe delivers such an incredible performance in the film. What was it like getting to collaborate with her and how did you build that trust needed between actor and director?
Kourtney: Chloe was amazing. Even during the casting process, when I saw her, I knew it was going to be her. It was a no-brainer. She’s very independent. She has this character inside of her, so it was really great working with her. She’s so professional, but also fun. It was interesting working with her because she listens at the same time but also knows what director she wants to go. She really solid on what she wanted to do.

PC: For you as a director, how did you create the space for her to go on that vulnerable journey that her character embarks on throughout the film? How did you foster that environment for Chloe?
Kourtney: With Chloe, I just left her alone. [laughs] She just likes to be alone. It was about using the minimal amount of words as possible with her, and I mean that in the best positive way. If I wanted to modify or change something, I’d come up with a verb, a subject, and an object. That’s what I would give her. One verb was enough. She was like, “Got it, thank you.” It was quite a fun process.

PC: You’ve said in previous interviews that the world has a secret potential to transform itself into a movie set. This film feels like such an extension of the work that you’ve done as a photographer. How have those experiences bled into the ways in which you direct?
Kourtney: The biggest influence would be the visual style, so the sense of light, the sense of place. The sense of place is a big part of my work as well. I shoot a lot on location in my photography work. My visual universe usually has a temporal feel. It feels like it’s the past and there is something nostalgic about it, but you can’t quite put your finger on where it is. I really wanted to convey that as well with Kryptic and make it feel like it’s from the ’70s or ’80s. That was a big consideration for me during the filming.

PC: Speaking of shooting on location, you all filmed this in Hope, Canada. Were you familiar with this area? Why was it the perfect setting for this film which it feels like a character in of itself?
Kourtney: I love Hope. I’ve had Hope on my radar for twenty years. It’s always been a dream to shoot there. I first noticed it when I was in university. We went on a little road trip with a couple of friends, and one of them wanted to stay in Hope and do an art project. We were in art school, so they stayed in Hope for a few days. When they came back, they were like, “These hotels were awful. People were arguing. There was a lot of drunk fighting.” I was like, “Wow, this is a magical place.” [laughs] I’ve actually done photo projects there before. It’s an amazing and beautiful town.

PC: There’s also this intimacy in the ways that you shot where you’re seeing everything through Kay’s eyes, and through close-up shots. Was that something you were mindful of during this process or did you make that discovering during filming?
Kourtney: It wasn’t something that was intentional. You’re right, the point of view is always from Kay/Barb. Nothing happens outside of her vision, right? That sense of intimacy is because everything is through her perspective. There are no scenes that happen without her.

PC: This is a film that you have to experience on the big screen. Is there a scene that you’re excited for audiences to see at SXSW?
Kourtney: I don’t want to give anything away, but any scene with mucus.

Make sure to follow Kourtney on Instagram.

Kryptic Screening Times at SXSW:

• Alamo Lamar 4 – Mar 10, 2024 (9:30pm—11:06pm)
• Alamo Lamar 5 – Mar 12, 2024 (10:45pm—12:21am)
• Alamo Lamar 8 – Mar 15, 2024 (6:45pm—8:21pm)