“Rebecca” is now available for streaming on Shudder, joining AMC’s horror platform after a limited theatrical run.
Initially apprehensive, Flying Lotus shared, “I was really nervous in the beginning. But as time went on, I began to feel more comfortable and grasped how to challenge and be challenged by others. Trust was gradually built among the team. They were probably unsure if they could rely on me to lead this project. For the first time, I felt like the others cared about the film as deeply as I did. I always hoped for that kind of connection. Aaron was completely committed, going beyond the script. Eiza was fully absorbed in it since she was in every frame, making it a massive endeavor for her.”
With Aaron Paul and Eiza González in the lead roles, Flying Lotus initially had reservations about their casting for this harrowing sci-fi venture.
“I aimed to avoid similarities with ‘Alien’ as much as possible,” he revealed. “In the sci-fi realm, there’s only so much one can do without referencing ‘Alien’ to some extent. I also tried to steer clear of ‘Event Horizon’. A key influence for ‘Rebecca’ was ‘Suspiria’ and its theatrical use of color, delving into a psychedelic approach with colors, negative space, and playing with light sources. The work of John Carpenter, particularly ‘Halloween’, was highly influential. I incorporated elements from different sources that were not the typical choices, drawing inspiration from video games like ‘Silent Hill’, ‘Resident Evil’, and classic first-person shooters.”
The film, “Rebecca”, featuring Aaron Paul from “Breaking Bad” and Eiza González from “Baby Driver”, tells a chilling tale of an ill-fated expedition to an exoplanet. An unearthly presence lays claim to the hostile territory earmarked for terraforming, as amnesia strikes the protagonist, Riya, sending us into a nightmarish visual spectacle. Alongside, Flying Lotus contributes an atmospheric synthwave score, enhancing the unfolding otherworldly enigma.
In preparation for directing this ambitious indie project, Flying Lotus delved into the genre essentials with the intention of creating a mesmerizing visual experience.
Premiering on March 21, the film “Rebecca” is now captivating a broader audience with its mind-bending storyline. We had the opportunity to chat with Grammy-winning musician and filmmaker Flying Lotus, who directed “Rebecca”, to delve into the inspirations behind this cosmic nightmare of a movie.
Speaking about the script by Jonni Remmler, Flying Lotus mentioned, “The screenplay presented to me was quite different from what we eventually saw on screen. The mystery and intrigue of the story drew me in. When I read it, it felt almost like playing a video game, which resonated with me as a gamer too.”
Directed by a prominent Grammy-winning musician, rapper, and producer, “Rebecca” is infused with an original electronic score that resonated strongly with the audience.
Reflecting on his experience composing the film’s score, he shared, “I started crafting the music as soon as I had the script in my hands. However, when the time came to edit the movie, none of it quite fit. The overall vibe and soundscape were different. I ended up traveling to New Zealand for the music. It was just me and my laptop, so I focused on creating a sound that I could produce independently. I drew inspiration from John Carpenter, who faced similar challenges during the making of ‘Halloween’ and some of his other works.”
