Sloths and Sequels with Writer/Producer of Slotherhouse, Bradley Fowler! [Interview]

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If you haven’t had the chance to check out Slotherhouse yet, it’s a fun and intentionally campy slasher starring a puppet sloth. Yes, you read that right. Written by Bradley Fowler and Cady Lanigan, the movie stars Lisa Ambalavanar, Sydney Craven, and Andrew Horton. You can catch it streaming now—check out the trailer below.

We recently had the chance to chat with co-writer Bradley Fowler, who also served as a producer on the film. Plus, there’s some buzz about a possible R-rated sequel!

iHorror: So, I recently watched Slotherhouse!

Bradley Fowler: Thanks for taking the time to watch it. It was definitely a fun movie to make.

It was fun to watch! I have to say, that little sloth, Alpha, won me over.

Fowler: Well, that was the whole point. My partner, Cady (Lanigan), and I knew sloths were popular, and we both share the same theory on movies: when it comes to horror, everything is about the character. It’s more important for people to love the character than the specific story. The goal is to create a character that people want to imagine and play with in their own heads—then you’re winning.

I think Alpha, if we can get these sequels made, will be that character. People will want to play with her in their minds, and I think we could make two, three, or even four movies. We just have to stick to the formula of making them all fun. We want to increase the violence and aim for an R rating but still keep it really fun. That’s the main objective.

iHorror: You were a producer as well as a writer on the film?

Fowler: Cady and I worked on the story together. I wrote the original version, and then Cady came on board, and we started discussing how to adjust the tone. We wanted to reach a slightly younger demographic for the first one. Ultimately, we both wanted an R rating, but we thought the best way to introduce the character was to appeal to that younger group first. I think it worked. We’re hoping that by the time the sequels come out, that younger audience will have grown up a bit, and we can ramp up the horror while keeping the absurdity intact.

iHorror: When you two were writing the story, how did you land on a sloth?

Fowler: Funny story. My last movie, The Voices, didn’t have a high budget. It got distribution, but financially, it wasn’t a big success. In the indie world, if your last movie doesn’t make money, it’s hard to do the next one. So, I was a bit down. My friend Bob from Florida told me to come down to his place, relax, have a few beers, and enjoy the waterfront. I told him my problem, and he asked me, “What makes money?” I said, “Stupid stuff.” Then he asked, “What’s the dumbest idea you can come up with?” I’m not kidding—that’s how it happened. (Laughs.)

iHorror: If you could say one thing to people who haven’t seen the film yet, what would it be?

Fowler: If you’re into ’80s-style horror movies that are fun and have great characters, this is for you!

iHorror: You mentioned sequels. Have you started on one yet?

Fowler: I’ve written three different versions. (Laughs.)

iHorror: Three versions?

Fowler: Yeah. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing, but I’ve been obsessed with stories since I was a kid. It usually takes me about six days to write a screenplay. I wanted to create versions that could work as R-rated or PG-13, and that could either connect as a series or stand alone. I also wrote them in a way that allows for flexibility in case we lose an actor or run into budget constraints.

iHorror: Smart—having backup plans is always a good idea.

Fowler: Exactly. We want to keep the same cast and characters, but you never know in the indie world.

iHorror: I’m curious to see what you’ll do with Alpha. She’s a lovable killer, which is perfect for a horror comedy.

Fowler: That’s what makes Alpha unique. I challenge anyone to find a cuter serial killer! We wanted a killer people would not only fear but also root for. We root for Chucky and Jason, but no one wants to snuggle up with Jason. (Laughs.)

iHorror: Jason gets no cuddles. (Laughs.)

Fowler: Exactly. We want people to think: “Maybe she’s not so bad,” even though she’s murdering people left and right!

iHorror: Well, we really appreciate your time! We’ll be keeping an eye out for more Alpha—hopefully sooner rather than later!

Be sure to check out Slotherhouse, streaming now, courtesy of Gravitas Ventures!