Horror Favourites – Alexander McGregor Birrell

THE LATENT IMAGE is a twisted, beautifully-crafted deep dive into the imagination that explores just how deadly inspiration can truly be. From writer-director Alexander McGregor Birrell (Sleepaway Slasher), the film stars Joshua Tonks and Jay Clift as two men caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse that threatens to turn a dark fantasy into a stark, inescapable reality. We spoke to Alexander about what films freak him out the most.

Alexander McGregor Birrell was born in Liverpool, UK. Awarded a BFI Skill Set scholarship, he attended the London Film School and has produced work that has been shown in venues such as London’s National Gallery and the Aesthetica Short Film Festival amongst others. THE LATENT IMAGE, his theatrical feature debut, is based on a short film he directed that was featured on the streaming platform Dekkoo from 2019 to 2021.

“The Latent Image is a striking example of indie genre cinema – taut, creepy, and smart with an dense atmosphere of sexually charged dread, what’s not to love”, said Ray Murray, President of Cinephobia Releasing.

A stranger appears at a young thriller writer’s cabin deep in the American wilderness. Mysterious, intriguing, attractive and terrifying, has he found the perfect inspiration for his new book or are his darkest fantasies about to come to life?

THE LATENT IMAGE centers around thriller writer Ben, who, while struggling for inspiration, retreats to an isolated rural cabin to start work on his latest novel. One night, he wakes to find a wounded man in the cabin claiming to be a hunter whose car had broken down nearby. Intrigued by the intruder, Ben decides to secretly use him as inspiration for the antagonist in his new book. But, as the man helps Ben enact increasingly dangerous scenarios for the story’s captive protagonist, Ben’s ambition may not only destroy the peaceful world he’s created, but take his life in the process.

“Horror films and thrillers have always been my passion”, said Birrell. “The cast and crew really gave their all and it was a wonderful experience to see and feel the scenes coming to life on set, even if that sometimes meant feeling real fear in those dark woods!”

THE LATENT IMAGE world premiered at London’s Soho Horror Film Festival, and went on to screen at Outshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival and Queer Screams Festival. The film also screened at Fargo Moorhead LGBT Film Festival in September.

“Having The Latent Image come to North American audiences is a dream come true”, said Birrell. “This film is a love letter to a lot of US genre cinema and I hope people enjoy it.”

Below writer/director Alexander McGregor talks about his favourite horror film:

“This is a tough one – to pick my favourite horror film of all time. I have so many favourites! I’ll give you a top five to make it a little easier.

I’d say top of the list has to go to Dario Argento’s OPERA. I think it is as perfect a horror film as could ever be made. I love the story with it’s fantastic set pieces and deliberately unrealistic elements. I love the cinematography, the production design, costumes and use of classical, synth and heavy metal music all fused together in a crazy whole. It’s an absolutely beautiful film and a must watch in Italian (the English dub loses a lot).

Wes Craven’s A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET was a life changer for me. I saw it very young when the Freddy Krueger phenomenon was still in full swing. The concept is incredible and Nancy Thompson is my favourite horror heroine. I still remember the first time I watched it – terrified but so excited and unable to look away.

Then, I have to give a shoutout to John Carpenter’s THE FOG. It’s a film I return to over and over for it’s atmosphere and creeping dread as well as it’s wonderful setting and characters that you’d like to know in real life.

And George A. Romero’s MARTIN, a tragic, melancholy film with a wonderful montage style, vivid high contrast 16mm photography and a depth of characterisation and theme that is rare across all genres.

And finally, it has to be Alfred Hitchcock’s PSYCHO. It’s a masterclass of film technique and utterly involving. I’ve been lucky enough to see it on the big screen a few times and the whole modern audience was left in stunned silence after the shower scene even though we all knew it was about to happen.”

THE LATENT IMAGE will be in cinemas soon.Watch the trailer below: