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Kate Siegel discusses extraterrestrial life and new directorial venture
Kate Siegel dives into the intriguing world of extraterrestrial life, offering both vivid imagination and chilling speculation. When asked about her belief in aliens, her response is as specific as it is eerie.
“I’m a huge sci-fi reader…Ray Bradbury is one of my favorite authors of all time,” she says. “In the world right now there’s a lot of discourse about aliens being real. The needle is turning towards, ‘Yes, aliens exist.’”
This fascination with alien life seamlessly melds with her latest cinematic project.
Transitioning from scream queen to sci-fi auteur
Known for her roles in horror hits like Oculus and Hush, Siegel steps into the director’s chair for “V/H/S/Beyond,” the latest installment in the celebrated horror anthology series. This chapter focuses solely on sci-fi tales, an intriguing twist for longtime fans.
In “Stowaway”, a woman played by Alanah Pearce stumbles across a UFO and boards it, leading to some visually striking and creatively eerie scenes.
A perfect match for directing
Despite her deep interest in the genre, directing wasn’t initially on Siegel’s radar.
“I hadn’t necessarily been looking for an opportunity to move into directing, but when all the stars came into alignment, I didn’t have a choice but to jump,” she explains. Specialty series like V/H/S are designed to be springboards for up-and-coming filmmakers, offering a supportive yet creatively independent environment.
Collaborating with her husband Mike Flanagan, the script for “Stowaway” was an organic extension of their professional and personal partnership. Siegel acknowledges the importance of “honesty and respect” in their dynamic.
“When I ask him a question, he’s going to answer it honestly. He’ll give me the constructive criticism I need, or I will give him the criticism he needs,” she explains. This unwavering honesty allows them to navigate the complexities of filmmaking with a shared vision and mutual respect.
Crafting ‘Stowaway’ with a unique vision
“Stowaway” draws inspiration from poetic sci-fi classics like Contact and body horror icons like The Fly. When casting, Siegel chose Alanah Pearce, a known figure in the video game world, for her enigmatic and charismatic presence.
“Alanah’s been in my friend group for years and she’s very enigmatic and charismatic,” Siegel says. “I could see her natural performance abilities.”
Siegel’s experience as an actor infuses her directing approach with intense emotional depth.
“I think my camera moves in a very emotional way, as opposed to a technical way,” she reveals. Her ability to channel raw emotion through the lens brings a distinctive character to her directorial style.
Looking ahead: more stories to tell
With “Stowaway” now streaming and building a buzz on Shudder, Siegel is keen to expand this universe into a full-length feature.
“I would love to make this a feature. There is a huge feature-length story in it that I’d love to tell,” she shares enthusiastically.
Directing has unlocked a new creative avenue for Siegel, giving her a fresh lens through which to tell stories.
“I have that new relationship energy with directing,” she says. “It’s pulling my attention and drive right now. I’m not giving up acting—I’m just being a little more picky.”
The future of ‘V/H/S/Beyond’
As Siegel continues to explore new creative territories, “V/H/S/Beyond” is now available to stream, inviting audiences to dive into sci-fi horror. The seamless collaboration with Flanagan and her innovative approach mark her emergence as a strong directorial voice in the industry.
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