“Straight On Till Morning”: A Thrilling Journey of Love and Horror

Two women, one running from her past, and one charging towards her future, find themselves in the grip of a deranged pious family. Will their love be the key to survival? Or will death do them part?

The world of independent filmmaking has been set ablaze with the release of “Straight On Till Morning,” a captivating thriller directed by Craig Ouellette. Premiering at the Dances With Films Festival, this film has garnered attention for its unique blend of romance and horror, offering a fresh perspective on both genres.

A Journey Fifteen Years in the Making

The inception of “Straight On Till Morning” dates back over fifteen years when Craig Ouellette was introduced to Neal McLaughlin, the film’s co-writer. Ouellette recalls, “After the initial meeting, Neal said, ‘I have a script I think you’ll like.’ It was the 1st or 2nd draft of ‘Straight On Till Morning.’” Originally a romantic horror film, the story underwent a significant transformation to include LGBTQ+ themes, a shift that Ouellette believes made the story more poignant and relevant. “In 2024, there are quite a number of queer horror films, but when we shifted in that direction in the early teens, a lot of people thought we were crazy. I’m glad the world is shifting to be more open and accepting of stories like this.”

Exploring Complex Emotions and Themes

At its core, “Straight On Till Morning” is a story about love in all its beautiful, scary, and complex forms. Ouellette hopes audiences take away a deep understanding of love’s multifaceted nature. “Love is a beautiful thing… the most beautiful thing. And it is also scary and complex. We can do the most amazing and terrible things in the name of love,” he explains. “My goal was to touch people’s hearts, minds, and adrenal glands in equal measure. Hopefully, they will go on the ride and talk about it afterwards.”

Overcoming Challenges in Independent Filmmaking

The journey to bring “Straight On Till Morning” to the screen was fraught with challenges, from budget constraints to finding the right personnel. “How much time do you have?” Ouellette jokes when asked about the biggest challenges. “The main issues were not having enough money or resources, or having personnel that weren’t the best fit for a position, so we had to get creative and scrappy with how we solved problems.”

Casting and Chemistry

The casting process for “Straight On Till Morning” was extensive and ever-evolving. Maria Olsen, who plays Lilly, was a constant presence since 2010. “I was blown away by her audition, and she was always ‘Lilly’ from that point on,” Ouellette states. For the lead roles of Dani Dupree and Kaitlin Sanbourne, the chemistry between the actors was crucial. “Chemistry reads were critical. This is a love story, after all! If there is no chemistry, there is no movie,” Ouellette emphasizes.

Visual Style and Cinematography

The film’s distinct visual style was achieved through a combination of carefully chosen locations and the use of vintage lenses and filters. “How do you combine romance and horror visually? What defines ‘romance,’ what defines ‘horror’? Where do they merge, where do they conflict? Those were some of my guiding questions,” Ouellette explains. The main location, a house built in 1863 near St. Louis, MO, was particularly fitting, with each room offering different textures and colors that complemented the film’s aesthetic.

The Power of Music

Music plays a vital role in “Straight On Till Morning,” with original songs sung by Kelsey Christian, who plays Dani Dupree. Ouellette, a DJ himself, understands the impact of music on emotions. “The idea was that the first part of the movie feel like a ‘needle drop’ movie, with fantastic songs played to compliment different scenes.” The film’s score, composed by Emmy-nominated Thomas Corkran, further enhances the emotional depth and atmosphere.

Balancing Genres

“Straight On Till Morning” masterfully blends romance and horror, a balancing act that required constant attention. “Everyone in this film is motivated by love, even the villains. But what they do with that motivation might be a bit different than what you or I would do,” Ouellette says. He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining this balance but believes the end result is a film that is both romantic and terrifying.

Looking Ahead

As Ouellette looks to the future, he hopes “Straight On Till Morning” will resonate with audiences and open doors for his career. “I hope people love it! (or hate it!). Anything but being bored by it,” he says. He is already working on two new scripts, both blending different genres and tackling social issues, and is open to directing work written by others.

“Straight On Till Morning” is not just a film; it’s a labor of love, a testament to the power of independent filmmaking, and a bold statement on the complexities of love. As audiences continue to discover this remarkable film, Craig Ouellette’s vision of a romantic horror story is sure to leave a lasting impression.