Ahead of the March 20, 2026, U.S. release of Do Not Enter, the cast and crew gathered at a Los Angeles screening to discuss the transition of David Morrell’s novel Creepers to the big screen. Among the stars of the Marc Klasfeld-directed film is Kai Caster, who plays “JD”.
In an interview with Temple of Geek, Caster opened up about the unique challenges of the production and the psychological depth behind the film’s supernatural scares.
For Caster, the appeal of Do Not Enter lay in its blend of genres. He noted that while many modern films stick to straight horror, this project offered a rare mix of horror and adventure. He had always wanted to dive into a classic ensemble mystery or thriller, and he was particularly drawn to the “mission” aspect of the script. This structure gives the audience a clear journey to follow alongside the characters as they navigate the abandoned Paragon Hotel.
The Intensity of the Shoot
The production, which took place in Bulgaria, presented significant technical and mental hurdles. Caster highlighted the stamina required for the film’s long concept scenes. Some individual scenes took four to five full production days to complete. While the process could become repetitive, Caster noted that the extra time allowed the cast to find “pockets” of performance they hadn’t initially discovered.
Director Marc Klasfeld and other cast members shared stories of a COVID-19 outbreak during rehearsals that delayed filming for two weeks. However, Caster was the lone survivor of this “plague”. Having arrived a week late due to a shoot in Montana, he was the only main cast member who did not contract the virus during that time.
Fear as a Mentality
One of the most striking aspects of Caster’s reflection on the film was his evolving perception of fear and risk. In Do Not Enter, the “Creepers” are urban explorers motivated by the lure of $300 million and social media fame. Caster believes the film serves as a commentary on what people are willing to endure for success.
“Fear affects you so much less once there’s something in your sights that you want,” Caster remarked. “Sometimes fear is changeable in your head. You can really change what that fear is and how intense it is if you’re going after something you want.”
Despite the creepy nature of the film, which Caster used as his one-word descriptor for the movie, the off-screen experience was one of camaraderie. Because the cast was filming on foreign soil away from home, they became fast friends, relying on each other to strengthen their on-screen chemistry.
Do Not Enter is a Suretone Pictures production presented by Lionsgate and Suretone Pictures. The film stars Jake Manley, Adeline Rudolph, Francesca Reale, Shane Paul McGhie, and Kai Caster, alongside Javier Botet as the film’s “incredible monster.”
