Q&A with director Lowell Dean
How did the story of Die Alone come about?
The story of DIE ALONE took years to morph into the final version of our film. Years ago, it was a simple survival story of a young couple starting their life, only to be faced with the end of the world. Then, as the years (and script drafts) went on, I got less interested in the idea of a zombie apocalypse and more interested in the idea of what it takes to be a ‘survivor’. At its core, this film is really about one question - how far would you go for the people that you love?
You have some truly incredible actors in this film. How was the collaboration with them on set? How was it seeing them bring your characters to life?
I had been dreaming of making this film for nearly a decade, so seeing the actors finally bring the characters to life was incredibly moving. For me, there isn’t a false note in the entire cast. They were all easy-going, passionate, and deeply committed.
Having Carrie-Anne lead our film as Mae was wonderful. Mae is a complex character, and Carrie-Anne brought such soul and wit to the role. Douglas Smith was the perfect Ethan, nailing a challenging role, while Kimberly-Sue was a surprising gift, bringing a burst of energy to her portrayal of Emma, Ethan’s long-lost love. Frank Grillo is intimidating as Kai, but I also love the tenderness he brings to the role.
Working with Jonathan Cherry and Amy Matysio was a pleasure, as always—two actors I’ve cast in almost every film I make; they are my ringers. Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat and Steven Roy also played key roles and were a delight to work with.
What can I say, the entire cast was fantastic!
What would you say are some of the biggest inspirations behind the making of the film and its themes?
For me, this film is inspired by the experience of being human—struggling to survive, do my best, and show kindness in tumultuous times. I wrote it before the Covid pandemic, back when I almost romanticized the idea of discarding my phone and leaving society behind. After living through the last few years, my perspective on the idea of a post-apocalyptic world has changed dramatically. Now, the film and its story are about holding on tightly to your family and loved ones, even when times are tough and the world around you feels cold. I also know a lot of tough women, so the character of Mae is inspired by the tough women in my life who keep things moving and endure my endless daydreaming!
We heard that the farmhouse was a bare skeleton when you found it. In the movie, the house itself is practically a character. How much work and thought went into creating the interior? What inspired your team?
Production designer Adrian Traquair worked tirelessly to transform an empty husk of a house into Mae’s richly detailed, 'lived-in' home. I was genuinely blown away by Adrian and his art department’s skillful work; as a result, the house has certainly become a central character in our film.
Adrian drew from many inspirations for the design, but what I truly admired was how he began with the script and character to guide his choices. Every detail, from the house’s furnishings to the wallpaper color, was chosen with thematic intent. When I wrote the script, I envisioned a farmhouse akin to the Psycho house—appearing friendly in one light and terrifying in another. Adrian and his team achieved that vision and so much more!
Have you stolen or kept anything from the Die Alone set? And why that in particular?
The Art Department found a raggedy old book that had my name “Lowell” on the cover. Since I never see my name on books, I may have… walked away with it. As a keepsake. I also have Ethan’s cast, which he wears in the film. The whole cast and crew signed it. An incredibly personal gift!
Although Die Alone contains humour and genre elements, the film shows another side of you as a director and a different tone from some of your prior work. Can you talk about your experience navigating through different genres? And what people can expect when they watch the movie?
I like films that are a blend of different genres and hard to define. I think life itself is weird and messy; one minute you are laughing and the next you are crying, so I love making films that reflect that. One of my favorite aspects of DIE ALONE is that it’s hard to pin down in terms of genre. People will likely assume it’s a horror film because of my previous work, but it’s far more a love story and a character study with moments of comedy, horror, and suspense. It’s a weird one!
How was filming in your hometown, Regina, Saskatchewan? Would you say it contributed something specific to the film and its atmosphere?
Filming at home in Saskatchewan was an unexpected gift. Initially, I wasn't sure if we could make this film in our province, but new funding incentives made it possible to produce a film of our budget in and around Regina. We had originally scouted locations in BC, so returning to Saskatchewan and building the project from the ground up was certainly challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. The crew and community were passionate about this film and provided us with an incredible amount of support. This project was driven by passion, and when I look back on the experience, one word comes to mind: gratitude.
The creatures in Die Alone are truly unique. Can you tell us about how they came to be aesthetically? From how you envisioned them to the final product we see on screen.
The look and feel of the creatures in the film are all thanks to Emersen Ziffle, our makeup FX artist. Years before we started production, I was collaborating with Emersen to refine our version of zombies, the “Reclaimed.” Initially, the script featured more traditional creatures, but with the flood of zombie movies that followed, necessity drove us to innovate.
Given that a central theme of the film is a return to a simpler, more naturalistic way of life, it made sense for our creatures to embody that concept. Thus, trees, vines, and moss overtaking them reflect this idea perfectly.
Have you received any surprising feedback or surprising comments from the audience who watched the film?
What has surprised and heartened me most is how deeply people have connected with the love story at the heart of the film. While it may appear to be a thriller or horror movie on the surface, I assure you that, above all, it is a love story!
Do you have a special memory from shooting Die Alone that you will cherish forever?
Just that I got to do it! What matters most to me is that I finally brought these characters to life. For years, they existed only in my head, and there were many moments, right up until we started shooting, when I feared they would remain in there forever. This film has given me both a cherished memory and a renewed belief in the possibility of dreams coming true.