Five FrightFest Facts with Lawrence Fowler from ‘Grin’

Through his production company Fowler Media, the multi-award-winning writer, director and editor has steadily developed a catalogue of internationally successful horror films, rooted in a lifelong passion for scary stories and striking visual storytelling. From earning Best Feature honours at the British Horror Film Festival for The Jack in the Box to securing worldwide distribution for his subsequent projects, Fowler has become a familiar and respected name among genre fans.

His latest feature, Grin, continues that tradition. Centred on a family who unwittingly unleash a demonic force through a mysterious board game, the film promises shocking practical effects, brutal morality-driven kills and a terrifying creature designed to punish those hiding dark secrets. Ahead of its World Premiere at FrightFest, we caught up with Fowler for our latest Five FrightFest Facts.

Lawrence Fowler, writer-director of Grin

Tell us about your film

Grin tells the story of a family essentially getting their overdue comeuppance in a very brutal fashion! We learn early on they all share a dark secret from the past that shaped their lives. They play a mysterious game brought into the family by the mother’s new boyfriend, little do they know what evil is released by the game being played. The purpose of the demon unleashed is to punish those who have committed terrible sins.

I really wanted the kills to be a form of justice rather than a random aimless murder spree.

How did you get into making movies?

I come from a very artistic family so that was always likely to be my path too. While studying Art and Design at college I tried everything, I made a short film with my school friend for my final year project and it went down so well. I was keen to keep making more projects and get better and better.

What films would you love to see screened at FrightFest?

I am a bit disappointed I’m unable to make the screening of Buddy, that looks really interesting to me. I’ve always been into films that merge two polar opposite worlds together and make a horror film out of that result. Of the classics you can’t go wrong with a screening of The Shining.

If you could create your own award…

Best Prop would be a great one! I would love to see Geoff Fowler win that for the Grin board game. It’s fully mechanical and took him months to build. I love it!

If your life was a horror film…

It would be called ‘CUT!‘, a story about my many monster creations coming to life for real, hunting me down and cutting me to shreds after cameras roll for all the craziness I’ve put them through on screen.

Who would play me? Jacob Elordi of course! Yeah, I wish…

I’ve always thought I look a bit like Jason Biggs so… Jason Biggs!