On wrapping his last film, Tone Deaf, Richard Bates Jr. (Excision, Suburban Gothic, Trash Fire) felt that the world was so ominous and dark, politically speaking, that he decided he would write his next project, King Knight with the intention of cheering himself up, whilst hopefully making his audience happier in the process.
Self-financing it and hand-picking a troupe of very like-minded actors, Bates Jr. stayed true to form in the sense that King Knight takes place in the same heightened version of reality as his previous projects, but it differs in that it takes a less cynical approach when it comes to the characters.
Describing the film himself, “King Knight is a modern farce about the importance of self-acceptance in order to achieve true self-growth.” It sets out to promote inclusivity, reminding viewers that “we all have a lot more in common than we might think, especially pertaining to our search for meaning.”
The aforementioned hand-picked ensemble cast brought together the likes of Matthew Gray Gubler, Angela Sarafyan, Andy Milonakis, Kate Comer, Josh Fadem. Johnny Pemberton, Aubrey Plaza, Barbara Crampton and Ray Wise to tell the story of Thorn (Gray Gubler) and Willow (Sarafyan), the revered high priest and priestess of a coven of new age witches who appear to have it all. But a secret from Thorn’s past throws their lives into turmoil and sends them on a trippy, hilarious journey.
With the film releasing in theatres, on Demand and Digital this Friday, February 17, Scream sat down with Sarafyan who discussed playing a revered high priestess alongside Matthew Gray Gubler, immersing herself into the mysticism of the film and the powerful social commentary Bates Jr’s modern farce is imbued with.
Words: Howard Gorman
