Bill Hader will write, direct, and star in the upcoming horror film They Know, based on an original story he created with his “Barry” collaborator Duffy Boudreau.
They Know centers on a divorced dad (Hader) who grows suspicious that his ex-wife is secretly dating a mysterious man — someone who seems to be having a strange and unsettling influence on their children.
This sounds pretty exciting.
When comedians go the horror route, it can be magical. We’ve seen it before. The late, great Robin Williams stunned audiences in One Hour Photo, a performance that proved just how thin the line can be between charm and menace.
And there’s something about Bill Hader that, despite the comedy, is somewhat creepy. He has this ability to take humor to a level where it almost becomes frightening. There’s a precision to his performances — especially in darker moments — that makes you uncomfortable in the best possible way.
That’s why this could turn out to be something special.
If he leans into that unsettling edge while maintaining his emotional depth, They Know could be a consequentially wonderful horror film.
Looking forward to it.
