DEAD EYES
FILM
Dead Eyes Brings First Person Psychological Horror to SXSW 2026
At SXSW Film & TV Festival 2026, independent horror film Dead Eyes introduced audiences to an unsettling cinematic experiment. Directed by Richard E. Williams, the film is shot entirely in first person perspective, placing viewers directly inside the psychological descent of its protagonist.
AUSTIN | TMN Editorial | Interview by Aja Haywood
The story directed by Australian filmmaker Richard E. Williams, follows Sean and his fiancée Grace as they enter a remote forest in search of Sean’s missing father. What begins as a search shaped by grief gradually unfolds into a disturbing exploration of identity, obsession and the fear of loss. As the truth emerges, the boundaries between emotional trauma and supernatural horror begin to collapse.
For Williams, the film’s origins were deeply personal.
“Real horror in life is losing a loved one. That is the scariest possible thing. I wanted to start from something human and build from there.”
The decision to shoot the film in first person perspective was both conceptual and emotional.
“You can’t escape what’s happening in front of you. When you’re forced into that perspective, it takes the experience to another level.”
This approach also transformed the acting process. Many scenes were shot in extended takes, creating a performance environment closer to theater than traditional filmmaking. Actors had to maintain emotional continuity and technical precision for several minutes at a time.
Mischa Heywood described the experience as a constant exercise in presence.
“You have to be on and present for the entire six to ten minutes. It becomes an intense acting challenge.”
For Rijen Laine, whose character is never physically seen on screen, the difficulty was different.
“The entire performance exists through voice. That can easily become flat if you’re not careful. Finding emotional depth only through sound was a major challenge.”
Ana Thu Nguyen highlighted the psychological dimension of performing directly to the camera.
“It changes the way you use eye contact and emotion. You’re constantly aware that the audience is inside the character’s perspective.”
Beyond technical innovation, Dead Eyes reflects a broader trend within independent genre cinema: the willingness to experiment with form while maintaining emotional depth.
The cast emphasized the importance of creative risk for emerging filmmakers.
“Don’t be afraid to take risks and be involved in indie films that move in new directions,” Nguyen explained.
Williams added that creative communities remain essential to sustaining independent work.
“Fostering connections is crucial. One collaboration can lead you to places like SXSW.”
As genre filmmaking continues to evolve, projects like Dead Eyes demonstrate how formal experimentation can coexist with deeply human storytelling.
Watch the full interview with the cast and crew below.
We spoke with director Richard E. Williams and actors Ana Thu Nguyen, Mischa Heywood and Rijen Laine about the psychological roots of the film, the challenges of POV filmmaking and what audiences can expect from this intense new horror experience.
Filmed during SXSW Film & TV Festival in Austin. Interview by Aja Haywood.
