Bill Hader has spent years making audiences laugh and squirm with his darkly comedic sensibilities, and his upcoming feature directorial debut promises more of the same. In a recent chat, Hader opened up about They Know, a horror movie he stars in alongside Linda Cardellini, and he couldn't help but draw a parallel to his acclaimed HBO series Barry.
For those who loved Barry, you'll remember the show's knack for blending genres—it was a crime drama, a comedy, and a character study all at once. Hader says They Know operates in a similar space. "It's kinda in that genre, but it's kind of not," he explained, comparing the horror label to how Barry was often called a crime show. So don't expect a straightforward scare-fest; this one has layers.
So what's it actually about? Hader was characteristically coy but did drop a tantalizing hint: "It's really funny. It's about divorce." That's it. But if you've seen Barry, you know Hader can find humor in the darkest corners of human relationships, and divorce is fertile ground for that.
The story centers on a divorced dad (Hader) who becomes suspicious that his ex-wife's new boyfriend is having a strange influence on their kids. It's a premise ripe for comedy and tension—imagine trying to convince your ex that her new partner is a problem without sounding like you're just bitter about the split. Hader developed the story with Barry writer Duffy Boudreau, so expect that same sharp, off-kilter sensibility.
Hader recently finished directing the film, and he shared a touching anecdote about his father visiting the set. Years ago, when Hader told his dad he wanted to skip college and move from Oklahoma to LA, his dad simply said, "Get a job," and let him go. This time, his dad looked around at the elaborate sets and said, "You've always wanted to do this. Look, you did it." It's a full-circle moment that underscores how personal this project is for Hader.
They Know marks Hader's feature directorial debut, and while a release date hasn't been announced yet, the buzz is already building. For fans of fresh horror directors, this is one to watch. Hader's ability to balance humor and heartbreak, as seen in Barry, suggests They Know will be anything but conventional.
In the meantime, Hader is lending his voice to the title character in The Cat in the Hat, a role that harkens back to his childhood. But it's They Know that has horror and comedy fans alike intrigued. With its blend of genre-bending storytelling and a deeply human core, it's shaping up to be one of the most anticipated debuts in recent memory.
Stay tuned for more updates on They Know, and in the meantime, catch up on other exciting projects in the works. Hader's return to the director's chair is sure to be worth the wait.
