What happens when a terrifying internet meme goes too far? You get a real-life version of Grimcutty, said scary viral meme that wreaks deadly havoc on teens in suburbia. John William Ross helmed and wrote the script for Grimcutty; a new horror thriller that took Hulu by storm this week. Sara Wolfkind stars as Asha Chaudhry, a teen who becomes the target of Grimcutty’s vicious attacks. Her parents, Amir (Usman Ally) and Leah (Shannyn Sossamon), believe Asha is participating in the Grimcutty challenge and harming herself. Now, she must convince them the meme has come to life.

Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with John William Ross, Sara Wolfkind and Usman Ally for Hulu’s Huluween virtual press junket. We talked about what inspired the film’s creation, how to craft a complex father-daughter relationship in such a tense setting and more. 

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This interview is condensed for length and clarity. 

Melody McCune: My first question is for John. What was the impetus behind Grimcutty? What inspired you to write it?

John William Ross: I got the idea when the Momo Challenge was happening, and I saw this local newscast about it. I was struck by the disconnect between what parents thought it was and what kids thought it was. The news reports were scaremongering, but they’ll interview kids and ask them what they thought about it. The kids were confused, and it felt ripe for satire. These parents were freaking out about something the kids weren’t — it’s not a big deal to them. So, I put an Invasion of the Body Snatchers spin on it, and it came together.

Asha stands in her house while looking anxious in the horror movie Grimcutty.

Grimcutty — Asha (Sara Wolfkind), shown. (Courtesy of Hulu)

MM: For Usman and Sara, what was it like getting into the headspace for a story as horrific as it is psychologically frightening?

Usman Ally: When you’re approaching any role, it’s a process of figuring out what your character wants. You take it back to the basics of what they want in the moment, how badly they want it and what’s in the way of them getting what they want. I think the characters’ psychological elements and the father’s psychological dissent were things I wanted to invest in more and make that a straightforward thing for an audience to see how he changes and how his daughter changes. Many of it [contains] open, genuine, truthful moments and finding that truth. Then, allowing the creature and effects to also tell the story. 

Sara Wolfkind: I think a lot of it is accepting that these are the circumstances and trying to find your own. How do I connect to this? What do I want from this? Does this character live truthfully in these circumstances? It’s a crazy story to accept. Living in that was so fun. Once you’re in it and find your “human” way in, that’s the way in. 

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MM: For John, is there anything in particular that went into Grimcutty’s design?

JWR: It was an idea I had in my head of this pale face in a black cowl staring at you through the darkness. I sketched it with some help from an artist friend of mine. Then, when the project was greenlit, we streamlined the designs more and made it in the vein of the different creepypasta-type stuff we were referencing. It all melded together. I knew I wanted it to be tall and weird. That was the main thing I was going for. I didn’t want it to be a guy in a suit. I knew I wanted it to be monstrous and unusual. 

Amir sits in a movie theater while looking at the screen suspiciously in Grimcutty.

Grimcutty — Usman Ally, shown. (Courtesy of Hulu)

MM: Describe this film using three words. 

JWR: Screen time horror.

UA: Paranoid. Panic. Fear.

SW: Hysteria.

UA: That’s a good word.

JWR: I already stole screen time horror. Sorry.

SW: Hysteria in technology. Parents.

JRW: Parents, hysteria, technology. That’s a horror recipe right there. Really, what else do you need to know?

MM: For Usman and Sara, what was it like getting to develop your relationship as father and daughter in such an intense setting?

UA: It’s tough because when you’re shooting a film, it’s pretty quick. Everything’s going pretty fast. We shoot out of order and out of sequence. When you’re jumping into scenes, at times, it’s an emotionally intense scene. Then, the next day you’re returning to the relationship’s beginning. Sara is an open and honest actress, giving a lot for you to work off of as her scene partner. The father thing was interesting for me because I’m a new dad. I have a three-year-old and a two-month-old. 

MM: Congratulations!

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UA: Thank you. At the time, I only had my son. But it was helpful to have that real-life lived circumstance of being a father and thinking about how I would feel if I felt more disconnected from my son and that panic of losing him. I wanted to focus on that. She’s (Asha) my daughter, and I feel like I’m losing her and I don’t want to. And seeing where it went from there.

Asha stands in a dimly lit room while looking concerned in Grimcutty.

Grimcutty — Asha (Sara Wolfkind), shown. (Courtesy of Hulu)

SW: Usman has this paternal fatherly sense to him. Once I’m thrown into a scene with him, it’s like, “Oh, this is easy.” Because it feels like he’s my father. It wasn’t that hard. We met before filming as well. We knew each other, so it wasn’t weird.

UA: I’m a super young dad, by the way.

Thank you, John, Sara and Usman, for chatting with GGA!

Grimcutty is now streaming on Hulu. 

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Melody McCune
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