Film Name: Water
Director: Ryan Andrews
Writers: Ryan Andrews, Stephen Laughton
Starring: Tom Canton, Olivia Ross, Gethin Anthon
Rivalry and conspiracy awaken a terrifying entity.
In a new exclusive interview on Blazing Minds, I got a chance to ask Director/Co-Writer Ryan Andrews a few questions about his film ‘Water’, which will have its UK Premiere at Horror-on-Sea on Sunday, 25th January at 17:30hrs.
Q. Your film Water has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Can you tell us what we can expect?
A. A tense sibling rivalry that boils beneath the surfs before erupting into cosmic horror.
Q. You co-wrote the script with Stephen Laughton. What were some of your inspirations when writing the script and what was your process for writing together?
A. I developed the core concept, and Stephen elevated the screenplay into something sharper and emotionally turbulent. We were deeply inspired by the paranoia and identity-horror of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and the generational trauma and familial breakdown in Hereditary.
We’re fascinated by how families fracture under pressure, especially now, when online rhetoric and political polarization are turning dinner tables into battlegrounds. Our story uses horror as a lens to explore what happens when a loved one becomes unrecognisable, or maybe reveals who they truly are.
Q. Did you have any of the cast in mind for the characters when writing the script?
A. We’d worked with Olivia Ross before and adore her. Gethin Anthony and Tom Canton came through casting director Clair Curry, who was incredible. Their performances carry the film, the rising tension lives and breathes through them.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. I’m a big fan of Alan J. Pakula’s Paranoia Trilogy. Klute (1971) was especially influential, that observational suspense, the way he builds tension simply by watching, really shaped our approach. We also looked to Sean Durkin’s The Nest (2020)and Todd Field’s TÁR (2022) as visual references. We wanted a look that felt sophisticated and controlled, something we could slowly unravel.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. No, but we did a lot of blocking. I’d work with the actors during the day and then we’d shoot at night, which helped us find the rhythm and build the escalation. We shot the film over two short night shoots, and that process really served the tension.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A.I really loved Gethin Anthony’s performance as Adam during the “sheeple” speech. We designed this great tracking shot, he enters the room, launches into his conspiracy rant, and then collapses in a tight medium close-up. It’s a really strong moment in the piece.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. Not at all, all smooth sailing on this one.
Q. What makes Water stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. I’d like to think Water taps into the Western male fear of “the other.” Adam is the one consuming conspiracy, spreading fear and hate, he’s the monster. It reflects the current political divide in both the UK and the US. The film is nuanced, but that commentary is definitely there.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. To encourage audiences to think about what we consume, and how it can negatively impact our real-world relationships.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. I’m currently casting my second feature film, which is shooting in 2026.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Look at what everyone else is doing and do the opposite.
Water will have its UK Premiere at Horror-on-Sea on Sunday 25th January at 17:30hrs.
You can find out more about Water and purchase tickets for the film here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
About the Author
