Grimmfest’s Grim Tidings from Jake Myers, Writer-Director of ‘Kombucha’

Grimmfest part two, the online event has kicked off today. To mark the occasion we’re looking back at one of the stand-out films from their in-person event in October – Kombucha.

After stirring up a buzz at FrightFest in August, Kombucha made its northern UK premiere at Grimmfest 2025 in October – where it went on to become joint winner of the festival’s coveted Reaper Award for Best Comedy. Now, just in time for the dark nights of December, Jake Myers’ genre-bending office satire is available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Fandango, Plex and YouTube.

Jake Myers, the Chicago-based filmmaker behind Kombucha, brings his signature mix of satire and surrealism to the screen in a corporate horror that taps into late capitalist anxiety and wellness culture obsession. Following the film’s wide digital release on 2nd December, we caught up with Jake as part of our Grimm Tidings interview series to find out more about his inspirations, childhood fears, and the very real pain of mangled pinkies…

Grimmfest’s Grim Tidings from Jake Myers, Writer-Director of ‘Kombucha’

Tell us why you are at Grimmfest

I’m thrilled to share my feature film, Kombucha, this year at Grimmfest. It’s one of the best genre fests in the world and the lineup of films this year is spectacular. I’ve also never been to Manchester before and was told by friends in Chicago that it’s a great city so being here in person feels important.

How did you get into horror?

One of my favorite shows growing up in the 90’s was Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark? We didn’t have cable so my Grandma Elaine would record the show on VHS tapes so I could watch it when I visited. I was instantly drawn to the uncanny, bizarre, and grotesque things I saw in this children’s horror series and that attraction has stayed with me ever since.

When I was a little older, I would go with my friend Joe Sepka and rent the weirdest horror movies we could find at the local video store. We would stay up late watching good horror films like Silence of the Lambs and campy masterpieces like Troll 2. Joe and I would borrow my parent’s camera and make our own bizarre short films. 30 years later, we still collaborate on projects and Joe was one of the composers for Kombucha.

What scares you the most?

Death. I’m terrified of death. I was raised catholic and I was convinced that any minor infraction would result in an eternity of torment. I would wake myself up from the terrifying hell dreams as a kid and I think for my own mental health started to entertain the idea that maybe everything I was told in Sunday school wasn’t true.

Now, I’m still afraid of death but it’s because I believe the time we have on earth is all that I get. I love my kids, I love my wife, and sometimes I get to direct movies, which feels so fulfilling. But I spend countless hours working, commuting, filling out spreadsheets, and writing emails. Every moment given to “create value” for a company feels like a moment I don’t get to live for myself or those that I love. There’s so much left to do on this earth before I die and I’m terrified of wasting this precious time or having something cut my story short.

Who or what is your favourite horror character?

I am so glad that I waited to watch The Substance until after we finished production on Kombucha. I love the Elisabeth Sparkle character and feel like she was such a complex and well motivated character in a horror film. Working in the film industry makes people acutely

aware of the pressure to succeed and remain shiny so I empathized with this tragic hero. The film makes me examine my own life and what am I willing to sacrifice to be able to stay relevant in the film industry.

Ethan Hawke’s character from Sinister feels increasingly relevant now that I have kids of my own. He was so obsessed with crafting a hit story that he was willing to endanger his own family. The film felt like a warning and I think any character that makes you reflect on your own life is an accomplishment in a film.

What is the grimmest thing you have ever seen?

I dislocated my pinky finger so bad that the bottom bone shot through the skin. I was coaching volleyball, heard a pop while blocking, and saw bone, tendons, and blood when I looked down. It was so grim that I had to hide it from one of the other coaches as he drove me to the hospital. The doctor invited all of the residents in to see my gnarly injury and show off his ability to snap it back into place. Unfortunately, he popped it on backwards the first time and had to try again. If you see me in person, I’ll show you what it looks like now.

Kombucha is available now on digital platforms including Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Plex, YouTube, and Fandango.

Keep up with Jake Myers’ work via Take Care Productions, and don’t miss your chance to sip the sinister this festive season.

Kombucha trailer