Exclusive Interview: Keith Boynton Talks The Haunted Forest and Horror with Heart

Keith Boynton on blending haunted attractions, representation, and “feel-good horror” in The Haunted Forest.

Interview: Keith Boynton on Representation, Haunted Attractions, and the “Feel-Good Horror” of 

The Haunted Forest

When you think of haunted attractions in film, most lean toward the grainy, found-footage style or faux-documentary format. But filmmaker Keith Boynton wanted something different with The Haunted Forest, a slow-burn fright fest that still manages to carry what he calls a “feel-good vibe.” We caught up with Boynton ahead of the film’s release to talk about representation, identity, and why setting his story inside Maryland’s legendary Markoff’s Haunted Forest felt inevitable.

On Centering Zach as a Protagonist

Zach, played by Grayson Gwaze, isn’t your typical horror lead. He’s a nerdy Black kid who loves the genre and finds himself at the center of the nightmare instead of the margins. For Boynton, that choice was about creating a layered world.

“Race is never a central concern for me when I’m writing or casting, but it’s one of many elements we use to make the story believable. Horror is universal. Anyone can be a horror fan, and anyone can be a horror protagonist—as long as they’re prepared to be chased through the woods by a masked killer in the dead of night.”

Boarding Schools, Haunted Houses, and Identity

The film weaves Zach’s school life with his obsession for haunted attractions. Boynton says those boarding-school scenes serve a vital purpose.

“They give us an opportunity to see Zach in his day-to-day world, and they give him a chance to reflect on what he’s been through. His best friend Carly is crucial there—she offers him stability, even as he starts losing his grip on reality.”

Why Not Found Footage?

So why not go the faux-doc route like so many haunt-centered films?

“The definitive Maryland-woods found-footage movie has already been made (The Blair Witch Project). We wanted to carve out our own space. Filming at Markoff’s Haunted Forest was an unmissable opportunity. Our cinematographer Aitor Mendilibar created a rich visual world I’m proud to share—I think people are going to be blown away.”

Missed Threads and Alternate Stories

Our own HMU review mentioned Zach’s brief connection with another Black character and wondered if that could have been more developed. Boynton explained:

“Every relationship is there to push Zach one way or another—either deeper into horror or back toward something normal. Huey has a nice arc, but it’s really a signal that things are getting more serious, and Zach has to choose what world he belongs to.”

Balancing Warmth with Horror

One thing that stood out to us was the film’s surprisingly positive energy—rare for slashers. Boynton says that was by design.

“Definitely intentional. If we care about the characters, the horror hits harder. A relatively innocent backdrop makes the horrific elements all the more jarring.”

Horror in 2025 and Beyond

Asked about the rise of Black, queer, and outsider voices in horror, Boynton was quick to put The Haunted Forest in context.

“I don’t see the movie as part of a trend—I’m too close to it for that. But audiences today are spoiled for choice in a way they’ve never been before, and that’s a wonderful thing. As long as there’s variety and quality, there’ll always be something for everyone. It’s a great time to be a horror fan.”

The Haunted Forest has been described as part slasher, part coming-of-age, and part love letter to the strange community around haunted attractions. With Boynton steering the helm, it’s also a rare example of a horror film that manages to be both unsettling and—dare we say—life-affirming.