Mike Flanagan Closes SXSW London With ‘Life of Chuck’ as Director Hails ‘Beauty’ of Horror, Apologizes for ‘Killing’ Blumhouse’s ‘Ouija’ Franchise

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Mike Flanagan concluded the first-ever SXSW London event by unveiling the United Kingdom premiere of his new movie, titled “The Life of Chuck.

Although this filmmaker’s new project marks a significant departure from horror, during a comprehensive pre-screening interview at London’s Barbican Centre, Flanagan spoke extensively about his past work in the genre and shared his affection for it. He also discussed his ongoing partnership with Stephen King and provided some fresh insights regarding his forthcoming “Carrie” TV adaptation.

Regarding the evolving perspective on horror stories, Flanagan commented that the genre often faces difficulty gaining credibility. He suggested that despite occasional blockbuster hits like “Get Out” or Oscar victories, many people outside the genre are consistently taken aback by its success. “Occasionally, when you see Jordan Peele win an Academy Award, everyone talks about how this validates the horror genre, but then they quickly move on.

Contrary to other film genres, Flanagan noted that horror provides a unique platform for directors to discuss topics that are typically challenging to address within entertainment. He used “Night of the Living Dead” as an illustration of this phenomenon.

Had George Romero aimed to create a movie addressing racism in America during the 60s, it might have sparked discussions among those keen to explore the topic. However, he opted for ‘Night of the Living Dead,’ which instead terrified audiences with its zombies. Yet, in its closing scenes, the underlying message became clear and resonated with a broader, more profound impact.

Flanagan further commented, “That’s what makes horror so fascinating. By using this genre, you can discuss extraordinary themes in a way that, if presented directly, might significantly reduce its resonance and influence.

Flanagan further discussed his forthcoming television series based on Stephen King’s “Carrie,” currently being developed at Amazon. He pointed out that “horror is challenging in TV because horror thrives on completely overwhelming the viewer’s senses,” while when viewers watch TV they are often “surrounded by distractions.

There has been extensive conversation surrounding the “Carrie” series, with Flanagan disclosing to EbMaster that King initially opposed the concept, saying “Stay away, she’s been through enough,” but has now granted his approval. In London, he announced that Kate Siegel, his wife and frequent co-star in the series, will direct an episode of the show – a first for her as a TV director, and a unique accomplishment as it is also the first project she will direct that her husband is producing.

Flanagan’s career is generally celebrated, but he admitted one mistake. When asked if he had ever directed a horror film that was “exciting and full-throttle” without leaving the audience emotionally scarred, he referenced the Blumhouse sequel from 2016, “Ouija: Origin of Evil.

He found it incredibly enjoyable, he mentioned, but here’s the irony – despite being enjoyable, it significantly underperformed compared to ‘Ouija’, leading him to discontinue the series. Every time he encounters Jason Blum, he feels the need to express his apologies for doing so.

The opening ceremony for SXSW London took place on June 2, presided over by London mayor Sadiq Khan. During the course of the week, attendees listened to talks from figures such as Idris Elba, Julian Lennon, Nile Rodgers, along with the heads of Twitch, WPP, OnlyFans, and Google Deepmind.

EbMaster parent company PMC owns the SXSW franchise.

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2025-06-09 00:16