How Daniel Diemer’s In My Blood Blends Sports And Psychological Horror

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I’m really intrigued by what star is doing with his new project, In My Blood. It’s a unique mix of sports and psychological horror, and honestly, it’s already giving me the creeps in a good way – it’s totally unexpected!

In the short film, Diemer portrays Jack Merrifield, a baseball player in the minor leagues who has potential but struggles with consistency. Jack feels pressure to meet his father’s high expectations and, driven to succeed, begins using steroids. This decision leads to a risky and damaging change in his physical and mental state.

At a recent event in Austin, Texas, ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan interviewed the creators of In My Blood. Director Alex Bendo explained that he found inspiration in psychological thrillers and body horror films like Black Swan, as well as the 1957 baseball drama Fear Strikes Out. He used these influences to craft a story exploring the dangerous side of pursuing one’s ambitions.

You know, when I think about films that really stick with me, Black Swan is a big one. People debate whether it fits neatly into a genre, but to me, it’s definitely horror – a really unsettling mix of body horror and psychological thriller. That’s the kind of stuff I love creating and being a part of. And it’s funny, because I’m also a big baseball fan, there’s this lesser-known movie from 1957 called Fear Strikes Out, starring Anthony Perkins. It’s actually one of my favorite baseball films! The story goes – and it’s just a rumor I’ve read online, so take it with a grain of salt – that Hitchcock saw Perkins in Fear Strikes Out and was so impressed he cast him in Psycho. It’s about a Red Sox player struggling with his mental health, and it’s a really compelling film.

In My Blood Originated From Bendo’s Obsession With Baseball In Genre Cinema

I’d like to start by understanding where the initial concept for this came from, and then we can discuss how you brought this person on board.

I’ve always been fascinated by baseball in movies, but it’s a pretty niche interest. I started thinking about how steroids could connect those two worlds, and the more I researched, the more I realized it’s a really dark subject. It’s not just about physical changes; there’s a huge psychological toll, a real mental struggle, and a whole host of side effects that impact people both physically and emotionally. That’s where the idea for this project really began to take shape.

ScreenRant: And when you were thinking about casting, walk me through that process.

The casting process was actually quite straightforward. I collaborated with Allison Twardziak, the casting director, who had previously worked with Daniel on a fantastic film called Little Brother. I told Allison I needed someone incredibly dedicated – this project required a lot of self-reliance and a willingness to go the extra mile, even if it meant getting a bit rough around the edges, to create something unique. Of course, strong acting skills were essential, but the actor also needed to be physically imposing and command attention on screen. Daniel’s size and athletic ability were a perfect fit, which isn’t always easy to find, and he delivered a great performance.

ScreenRant: So talk to me about what appealed to you about the story.

When I read the script for this project, I was immediately hooked – it was fantastic! But honestly, it was the core idea that really grabbed me. Sports were huge for me growing up; I genuinely tried to become a professional athlete, even playing at a high youth level. My dad was a top tennis coach up in Canada, so I knew that competitive parent-athlete dynamic – thankfully, mine was much healthier! I’m a big fan of the body horror genre in general, and this project blended that with the sports world, which I’ve been actively looking for. Everything just felt right – the script, the project itself, and the team involved. Plus, I trust Allison completely – I’m happy to jump on board with anything she brings to me. It felt like the perfect combination of everything I love – a fun, intense, and gritty character in a space I’m really passionate about, but with enough emotional depth to make it truly compelling.

As an actor, I’ve spent the last ten years primarily working within the superhero genre, and that’s heavily influenced the roles I pursue. A big part of that conversation, with my team, is how I physically appear. I naturally have a lean build, but I’ve changed my body a lot for different roles, which always brings up the question of using steroids. We’ve thankfully been able to avoid that so far, but the pressure to achieve a certain physique is definitely present in our culture, especially for young men. I think it’s become a real problem, and people aren’t approaching it in a safe or healthy way. That’s something I really wanted to explore with this project.

ScreenRant asked the actor about the film’s shorter runtime, wondering how it felt to convey everything necessary within that limited timeframe.

I think the director really took ownership of the visual aspects of the project, which was great. I personally focus on each scene as it comes, and I like to use interesting camera angles to help me get into character and deliver the lines. I trust that everything else – the visuals and editing – will guide the audience through the story. Because the project was relatively short, we could really focus on the emotional impact of each moment and let those feelings resonate with viewers. The reveals then did a lot of the work in telling the story.

ScreenRant: Would you want to expand?

Absolutely. My team and I have been developing this project, exploring different directions as we go. It’s still in the early stages, but it’s been a really enjoyable process – creating things and seeing how they evolve over time. Now, after about a year or two, we’re revisiting what we’ve built and figuring out the next steps for the project’s development.

ScreenRant: Have you watched with an audience yet?

Saturday’s premiere was fantastic! I was pretty nervous, but it was a special experience for me. Performing at the Alamo Drafthouse – a proper movie theater – felt like coming full circle. It was a really great night.

I remember seeing you in the audience a while back! It was at a Q&A with Liam Crowley about Percy Jackson, before the show even came out. I’m really curious to hear what that experience was like for you, since the Percy Jackson fans are so passionate and there are so many of them.

This project is amazing – it’s by far the biggest and most mainstream thing I’ve ever worked on, which has been a really eye-opening experience. It’s so much easier to be part of something you already love and understand. I would have been much more anxious if I hadn’t been familiar with the world it’s set in. Liam has been a fantastic supporter of both me and ScreenRant, which is great. We’re getting the hang of doing interviews, and the response from fans has been incredible – I couldn’t have hoped for better. It’s really starting to open doors for my career, and everything is going really well.

ScreenRant asked what the past few years working on this project have taught me about the kinds of projects I want to take on in the future.

I’m eager to explore all kinds of acting opportunities. For the past five or six years, I’ve focused on independent films, which allowed me to really develop my skills as an actor. Now, I’m excited to work on larger, more commercial projects and see what’s possible with a bigger budget. It’s been fantastic connecting with a wider audience and becoming part of established franchises. I’m feeling confident and would love to balance independent work with these bigger projects going forward.

ScreenRant: Is there something you would really, really, really love to do?

Everyone always says Batman, so that’s the easy answer! But I’m thinking about a lot of different roles. I’m a big fantasy fan – I love series like Wheel of Time and Game of Thrones, and I’ve been following Brandon Sanderson’s work for years. I’m keeping an eye on potential projects, but I’m also waiting for the right opportunity – a role that feels right at the right time, with great people involved. I really value working with talented directors and collaborators who share my vision. Plus, I’m a writer myself, so I’m hoping to develop some independent and commercial projects that are emotionally resonant. I’m excited to see what the future holds and explore all sorts of creative possibilities.

ScreenRant asked if the interviewee was currently focused solely on their project, In My Blood, or if working on it had sparked an interest in directing or writing other things in the future.

I’m currently developing two exciting projects. One is a 90-minute medical thriller set in a hospital, focusing on the death of a prominent politician and the resulting cover-up. It’s a project I’m very enthusiastic about. The other is a horror film heavily inspired by movies like The Ring and the early 2000s J-horror film Suicide Club. It’s a really unique and intense story, and it’s actually what I’m working on at the moment.

At this festival, we’re combining films and music, and I’ve been asking attendees about their favorite movie soundtracks – the responses have been really fascinating!

As a huge film fan, one of the first movies that always comes to mind is the original Halloween. I remember driving in the countryside with my parents and begging them to let me put it on, even just for a few seconds! My mom would absolutely lose it, telling me to turn it off immediately because it was too scary. That score, John Carpenter’s iconic theme… it really got to her. I was so obsessed, I actually taught myself piano in high school just so I could play that theme! I’d practice it in my room, and inevitably, my mom would come in and demand I stop – it freaked her out just as much as the movie! That’s honestly what sealed the deal for me; that movie and that music just stuck with me.

Daniel Diemer is a big fan of Hans Zimmer’s work. He doesn’t have one favorite piece, but he saw Zimmer perform live, and it was an incredible experience. Zimmer’s passion and energy are amazing, and Diemer is particularly impressed by his ability to maintain such high quality throughout his long career. Seeing him live was a truly memorable moment.

ScreenRant: Congratulations on all your success with the film. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share?

Lately, I’ve been realizing this film is really a genre piece – think body horror, strange and unsettling stuff. But beneath all that, it’s my exploration of this new wave of athletes, so many of whom are the children of famous sports figures. It’s something I’ve noticed a lot in the last five to ten years. I wanted to dive into the unique pressure these kids face, growing up in the shadow of their parents’ success. We’ve seen so many stories about athletic achievement, but not so much about this specific dynamic. For me, it was crucial to get inside the head of someone like that, to understand just how far they’d push themselves for success, but even more importantly, how far they’d go to earn their parent’s approval. That’s really what the whole film is about at its core.

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2026-03-26 02:12