Filmmaker Robert Christopher Smith has crafted a provocative slasher thriller that serves as a metaphorical commentary on current political tensions with his latest project, 'SPREAD: Pigs to Slaughter'. Created in collaboration with Rob Banks through their newly formed entertainment company Roberts Next Door LLC, the film offers a nuanced critique of societal polarization. The project originated from Smith and Banks' longstanding creative partnership, which began during an acting class where they discovered shared creative sensibilities. As the first official release from Roberts Next Door LLC, the film represents a significant milestone for Smith and Banks' collaborative venture.
The film follows a group of twenty-somethings attempting to escape city life after COVID-19 lockdowns, only to discover a deadly plot within their midst. Smith and co-writer Kurt Belcher deliberately constructed the narrative to explore broader sociopolitical themes without directly referencing specific political figures. Written and filmed in the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns, 'SPREAD: Pigs to Slaughter' reflects the complex emotional and political landscape of its time. The filmmakers intentionally avoided directly naming contemporary political actors, instead using metaphorical storytelling to explore themes of societal breakdown and ideological conflict.
Central to the film's narrative is 'Hamson: The Curious Pig', a character that emerged from the writers' frustration with political fringe movements and their tendency to appropriate cultural symbols. This character became a pivotal element in crafting the film's symbolic landscape, with killers wearing pig masks and utilizing specific iconography to represent deeper societal tensions. Smith describes the film's tone as a hybrid between 'The Big Chill' and 'Scream', suggesting a blend of interpersonal drama and horror that allows for social commentary through genre storytelling. The approach demonstrates how horror cinema can engage with contemporary issues while maintaining entertainment value.
The film's release strategy includes additional creative components that expand its thematic exploration. Accompanying the film's release, the team will also publish a flip-comic featuring over 50 comic strips and four new origin stories centered around the character Hamson. This multimedia approach allows for deeper exploration of the film's central metaphors and provides additional context for the symbolic elements presented in the cinematic narrative. The project represents a deliberate attempt to use genre filmmaking as a vehicle for social commentary while avoiding direct partisan references that might limit its broader cultural relevance.
