Panic Fest 25' Exclusive Interview: Chad Archibald on It Feeds, Fatherhood, and the Real-Life Fears Behind the Supernatural

Chad Archibald discusses the emotional roots of It Feeds and how becoming a father reshaped his horror storytelling.

Panic Fest 2025 | Rewind Video

It’s been over a decade since we first connected with Chad Archibald during the release of The Drownsman—a gritty, water-soaked dive into supernatural horror that helped cement his place in the indie horror landscape. Fast forward to Panic Fest 2025, and Archibald is back with It Feeds, a film that doesn’t just continue his legacy, but elevates it.

We sat down with Chad inside the iconic Rewind Video (big shout out to Tim from Downright Creepy for the space), and what unfolded was a thoughtful, layered conversation with a filmmaker who’s grown not only in craft—but in life.

It Feeds is one of those films that lingers. A supernatural slow-burn packed with mood, dread, and raw emotion, it’s steeped in heavy themes—grief, trauma, the burden of parenthood—and grounded by a trio of stellar performances from Ashley Greene, Shawn Ashmore, and breakout talent Ellie O’Brien. But what makes the film hit harder is the fact that it’s coming from a different version of Chad Archibald than the one we met back in 2014. This is a filmmaker who has lived more life. Who’s become a parent. Who understands the primal terror of trying to keep your children safe in a world that’s anything but.

That evolution is embedded into every frame of It Feeds. Chad spoke to us about how his perspective on fear has shifted since becoming a father. It’s no longer just about the monster in the dark—it’s about the creeping realization that you’d do anything to protect the people you love. That kind of fear? It’s real. And it’s universal. That emotional honesty is what gives It Feeds its teeth.

We also touched on the quiet brilliance of the performances—how Ashmore brings vulnerability to a man on the edge, how Greene carries the weight of grief like armor, and how Ellie O’Brien holds her own with a haunting presence that you can’t shake. Chad made it clear that this wasn’t just a casting win—it was a chemistry win. These actors didn’t just play roles. They inhabited them.

Beyond the performances, It Feeds is a technical step forward. Chad and his team—now seasoned veterans in the space—have clearly honed their visual style. The shots are composed with an atmospheric confidence, the pacing is deliberate, and the unease is baked into the film’s DNA. But despite that polish, the soul of the film remains intimate. Personal. Deeply human.

We wrapped the conversation by looking at what’s missing in filmmaking today. Chad’s answer didn’t surprise us—it’s about honesty. About not being afraid to show the messy, scary parts of ourselves. He believes the best horror doesn’t just scare—it exposes. It unearths. It shows us what we’d rather keep buried.

It Feeds does all of that. And then some.

*Also an announcement of a film but you have to watch the interview to see it!

Big thanks to Chad, his team, and Tim from Downright Creepy for making this sit-down happen. It’s always refreshing to talk horror with someone who’s not only committed to the genre—but committed to pushing it forward.