Hi r/movies, I’m Rod Blackhurst. Longtime lurker, second-time AMA’er. I’m a father, husband, and filmmaker in that order. I’ve been fortunate to make films across genres and scales. I spent years investigating the Amanda Knox and John Wayne Gacy cases for Netflix and Peacock. I froze through a Montana winter directing BLOOD FOR DUST with Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington, Josh Lucas, Ethan Suplee, and Stephen Dorff. I nearly broke myself making a $175K indie thriller called HERE ALONE. I’ve also made shorts like NIGHT SWIM with my friend Bryce McGuire, who later directed the Blumhouse feature adaptation.
Most recently, I took my wildest swing yet and created the universe and character of DOLLY, which begins its theatrical run today via Shudder and IFC. This one is personal. It’s fully independent, shot on 16mm, and made alongside collaborators who have followed me across multiple films.
Yes, it’s a love letter to 1970s horror, New French Extremity, and grindhouse brutality. But underneath all of that, I made it for my family.
So ask me anything. About the films I love. The films I want to make. The ones that shaped DOLLY. The ones of mine you’ve seen. About running our company, Witchcraft. About making movies, getting into the film business or about building something from nothing.
No subject is off limits. And though my finger is still mangled from slicing through tendons and nerves with a food processor blade in January, I’ll answer every question I can. It just might take me a little longer to type.
DOLLY is in theaters now via IFC and Shudder.
It stars Fabianne Therese, Russ Tiller, Kate Cobb, Ethan Suplee, Seann William Scott, and Max the Impaler.
Synopsis:
A young woman, Macy, fights to survive after being abducted by a deranged figure who intends to raise her as their child.
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LALT2B-Ubpk
Here's our Fandango page for showtimes and theaters:
https://www.fandango.com/dolly-2026-244460/movie-overview
Ask me anything! Back tomorrow Friday 3/6 at 3 PM ET to answer questions.
by Dolly-AMA
5 Comments
Pancakes, Waffles, or French Toast?
Thanks for being here, Rod. A question for you specifically about horror film posters: How do you and your designers balance the need for a shocking poster with something that won’t be too frightening for children, who will inevitably see the poster in movie theaters? Your “Dolly” poster is particularly striking (congrats!) but I can’t help think about a 7yo heading to “GOAT” and being frightened by it…
Looking forward to Dolly! When you’re making an exploitation throwback such as this, is it difficult to get the tone right between a legit, unironic horror that can sit alongside those 70s films you love, and a winking-at-the-camera pastiche with a similar tone to say ‘Grindhouse’ (or at least the fake trailers in that film)?
I’ve heard conflicting things on the viability of shooting shorts rather than just making a feature, namely that there’s not really a point given the limited reach of shorts vs feature films. Where do you stand on that?
I’m mostly into adapting short stories so I was thinking making an anthology could square the circle there, but I’m curious your thoughts.
Also, what’s your #1 (or #2 and #3) advice for making a cheap horror film that still has unique, satisfying gore in it?
Hello Rod. I’m excited to see Dolly. Sounds like a fun movie from what I’ve seen and heard about it. I’ve got two questions if that’s alright. What was it like working with modern horror vets Seann Williams Scott and Ethan Suplee? I’ve been a big fan of their work for years now and I’m excited to see what they bring to Dolly.
Also, since Dolly was filmed in part with help from Shudder, what do you think Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl will say about your movie?