The Final Ride is a horror anthology with three tales including the ghost of an '80s fitness guru, a
Tattoo that won't stop spreading, and an Uber Driver that picks up her
final customer for the night, not knowing that she's in for the ride of
her life.
Canadian filmmaker Mike McMurran describes how he broke into the
biz, his love of sci-fi and horror, and how his new anthology film
The Final Ride compares to the likes of American Horror
Story and Creepshow.
How did you break into the business?
I had always wanted to be a filmmaker since I was five years old. My
first real attempt at breaking into the business was when I made my
first short film in my last year of University. After that, I kept
making shorts and had some success in festivals. My first feature film
Secret Santa was the big jump that I needed in my career.
In some ways, I still feel like I’m breaking into the business. Trying
to get bigger budgets for my productions, trying to expand my network,
and learn as much as possible from other filmmakers.
Did you have encouraging folks?
I was incredibly fortunate to have a very supportive family and support
system to encourage me to follow my dreams and do what I love. If it
weren’t for them, I would most likely not be here, or at the least,
would have had a more difficult time getting to where I am now as a
filmmaker.
You’re based in Canada, I believe?
I am! I’m from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. A little town about an hour
west of Toronto.
What does Canada lend to the production in your opinion?
I think the best thing about filmmaking in Canada is connecting with
other Canadian talents that can help you with your productions. Even
though the Canadian Film Community seems huge, it’s really a small
world. Everybody knows everybody and are very welcoming to new, aspiring
filmmakers. They are always ready to help you out any way they can. I
was able to make this movie through a lot of favours and friendly
connections I’ve made throughout the years.
And the cast are all Canadian?
The cast are all Canadian. At least, I believe so.
How much did American Horror Story and Creepshow serve
as a muse here?
As much as I love Creepshow and other horror anthologies,
I tried to veer away from them as much as possible to avoid
subconsciously imitating those films. I did watch a whole bunch of
horror anthologies before I wrote The Final Ride, but it was more so to avoid making a similar movie.
What were some of your anthology film faves growing up?
I really loved Creepshow 2 as a kid. Most people enjoy the
first one more, but I must have watched 2 first and The
Raft segment horrified me! I also really enjoyed Body Bags. My all time favourite anthology is Trick 'R Treat. I watched it later in life but thought it was brilliantly crafted and
so much fun to watch.
Any segments you wanted to do but didn’t end up pulling off?
I had an idea for a fourth segment but it would have taken too much time
and budget. It’s about a knife salesman that one day snaps and goes on a
killing spree. In the end, it didn’t flow with the rest of the segments
and would have required us getting multiple houses for filming, so
ultimately it was axed. I really don’t think we needed it, but it could
have been fun to shoot if we had the money.
Some ideas for a sequel?
I don’t have any intention of making a sequel but never say never! If
someone offers to fund a sequel, then I would definitely consider it. I
have a new project I’m working on now that is really fun and I’m hoping
to get it off the ground soon!
Have you a fave segment?
This might sound clichéd but I love all three segments equally. Each are
really different and were very hard to make, so I can’t pick one. I
think The Workout is the most fun, The Tattoo is the scariest, and The
Uber Driver is the most dramatic of the three stories. It’s too hard to
pick!
The Final Ride is on US Digital July 18th from Wild Eye
Releasing. A UK/ROI release has yet to be announced.