Bill Hader is taking on a new challenge after leaving Saturday Night Live: he’s writing, directing, and starring in a horror film. This will be his first time directing a feature film, following his successful work directing episodes of his HBO series, Barry, which follows a hitman trying to change his life. The movie, titled They Know, is being funded by MRC and is expected to begin production in the spring, with a likely release date sometime in 2027.
Nexus Point News first revealed the upcoming film, They Know (as reported by Deadline), which stars Bill Hader as a father who becomes increasingly paranoid. The movie centers on his growing suspicion that his ex-wife’s new boyfriend is exerting a strange and unsettling influence over their children. They Know originated from a story created by Hader and his Barry collaborator, Duffy Boudreau.
Bill Hader is the latest comedian to find success in the horror genre, following in the footsteps of stars like Jordan Peele (Get Out) and Zach Cregger (Barbarian). Even Curry Barker, known for his comedy videos, is receiving critical acclaim for his upcoming horror film, Obsession. Hader’s directorial debut, They Know, comes after he’s already earned several Directors Guild of America awards for his work on the series Barry. He’s also won an Emmy and received a nomination for his directing work on Barry.
‘They Know’ Could Be a “Cynical” & “Disgusting” Horror Debut
HBO
Last year, while talking on The A24 Podcast (as reported by The Playlist), Bill Hader mentioned writing a horror movie after finishing Barry. He didn’t reveal the title, but it seems this project may have been the basis for his upcoming film, They Know, or perhaps even his directorial debut.
Immediately after finishing work on Barry, I started writing a horror movie. I didn’t have much downtime – I went straight into developing this new project.
Hader shared that he sent a script to a producer – someone he genuinely likes and respects – but the feedback was extremely negative. The producer apparently called the script “cynical” and “disgusting,” describing it as “mean-spirited and horrible.” Hader was surprised by this reaction, pointing out that it was, after all, intended to be a horror story.
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Bill Hader might be talking about a project he abandoned, but it’s possible he’s still working on it, perhaps with a revised script or a new producer who better understands the film’s ideas. Even if he wasn’t referring to his movie They Know in a recent interview, it’s clear Hader has a talent for dark, scary writing. This suggests his upcoming directorial debut will be a surprising change of pace for those familiar with his comedy. We’ll have more information about They Know as production gets underway later this year.
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2026-02-19 23:50