Director Michael Patrick Jann is no stranger to the horror genre, but his latest film, “Alma and the Wolf,” promises a unique and unpredictable journey into the depths of psychological terror. In a recent interview, Jann delved into what drew him to the project, the challenges and joys of its creation, and what he hopes audiences will experience.

Q&A with “Alma and the Wolf” Director Michael Patrick Jann

ALMA & THE WOLF is a horror film directed by Michael Patrick Jann and written by Abigail Miller. It stars Ethan Embry, Li Jun Li, Jeremie Harris, Lukas Jann, Beth Malone, Kevin Allison, Alexandra Doke, and Mather Zickel. The story unfolds in Spiral Creek, where a violent animal attack triggers widespread paranoia. As Deputy Ren Accord investigates, he gets too close to the truth, leading to the mysterious disappearance of his son and a terrifying fracture of reality.

The Allure of a Complex Narrative

For Jann, the genesis of “Alma and the Wolf” lay in a com pelling script by Abigail Miller, whose strong psychological basis immediately resonated with him.

Q: What drew you to this project and made you want to make “Alma and the Wolf”?

Michael Patrick Jann: Abby wrote a really good script with a strong psychological basis that resonated with me the first time I read it. It stuck with me, and I almost made this movie years ago but ended up making “Organ Trail,” a horror western, instead. The story of “Alma and the Wolf” stayed in my head, so after finishing “Organ Trail,” I knew I wanted to make this one next. It was an opportunity to work with grounded psychology and across multiple horror genres, which is important because audiences today are sophisticated and smart. I like to create a movie where people don’t know where it’s going, and it’s a pleasure as a filmmaker to move across many horror and thriller genres. The goal was to take the audience on a “whoa” ride with moments that are horrible, funny, weirdly sexual, and then funny again, finally sewing it all up in the last 20 minutes by answering the central mystery and delivering true horror.

Mastering the Art of Unpredictability, A Stellar Cast and an Unforgettable Filming Experience

One great aspect of “Alma and the Wolf” is its ability to maintain a pervasive sense of mystery throughout. Jann attributes this success to the meticulous development of the story. Additionally, Jann’s enthusiasm for working with actors was palpable as he praised the “fantastic” cast of “Alma and the Wolf.” The filming itself was an adventure. Jann recounted the strong camaraderie forged during the challenging shoot.

Q: You’re working with an amazing cast, and the movie is very reliant on their performances. Could you talk a little about that?

Michael Patrick Jann: Working with actors is the greatest part of my job. This group was fantastic. Ethan Embry is obviously fantastic and has a long history of great performances. This was a very difficult, physically arduous role that covered a lot of psychological terrain, and he’s in practically every shot. He really brings it, and to make you believe the guy at the beginning and the end of the movie are the same person is a tremendous feat. Li Jun Li is phenomenal; she’s graceful, lightly funny, slinky within the different genres, and very subtle. Some other cast members are people I’ve known for a long time, like Kevin Allison, who I’ve known since I was 18, and Mather Zickle, who I’ve known since college. My son is also in the movie. Being able to take all these wonderful people and literally head out into the woods in the winter, to the coast on the beach where the weather was terrible, lashed by rain and wind, and be hunkered down together at the end of the continent for this horror mystery was a great experience. They truly were a great cast.

The Audience Journey: A Ride and a Reflection

Jann hopes that “Alma and the Wolf” will offer audiences a truly immersive experience, a “wait, whoa” ride from beginning to middle. While he acknowledged that the inherent mystery of the film might initially lead to some confusion. Recalling early cuts where viewers would react with “what the heck is going on?” However, he believes the final cut now provides clarity, while still maintaining the thrilling unpredictability.

Q: What are you excited for audiences to get from this film?

Michael Patrick Jann: I hope that from the beginning through the middle, they’re able to take the “wait, whoa” ride. It’s a bit of a challenge for the audience because of the nature of the mystery. In early cuts, before the sound and niceties were in, some people would react with “what the heck is going on?” in the middle. I think it makes sense now, but there’s definitely a ride to take in the middle. I also want audiences to know that the movie has an ending; it ties up all the loose ends in an emotionally devastating and truly horrific way. There’s no other horror movie exactly like this. I hope people take the ride and also take the time to reflect afterward because the movie is deliberately designed for the era of streaming, where you can watch it again. A second viewing will tell you a slightly different story because of the recursive storytelling.

Q: And of course, your use of practical effects keeps it intimate and scary.

Michael Patrick Jann: Yes, it was important to delve into the John Carpenter area of horror. I grew up with those horror movies, and they all used practical effects, which are super scary but also really fun. This movie is about true horror, but it’s also a fun ride to get there.

“Alma and the Wolf” will be in select theatres and on digital June 20!