Bill Hader Cites Cure, Serpent's Path for Horror Debut
The Saturday Night Live alum says his psychological thriller They Know draws on two cult-favorite films.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Horror
Bill Hader named Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Cure and the Serpent's Path as influences on They Know, his first genre feature as a director. The film, which Hader describes as psychological horror, centers on a divorced dad who suspects his ex-wife is secretly dating a mysterious man.
Why it matters
Hader's comments give readers a clearer picture of the cinematic references shaping his debut in a genre he has not previously directed. The film has no release date yet, and Hader said finding a distributor has been difficult.
Hader's references point to Cure, released in 1997 and directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, as a touchstone for the film's tone. They Know still lacks a release date, and Hader said securing a distributor has proven hard.
The players
Bill Hader
An actor and filmmaker best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and Barry, Hader played Richie Tozer in IT Chapter Two and is making his genre directing debut with They Know.
Linda Cardellini
An actress known for Freaks and Geeks and ER, Cardellini stars in They Know alongside Lilou Lang and Lorelei Olivia Mote.
The details
Speaking with The American Cinematheque Podcast, Hader cited Cure and Serpent's Path as influences on They Know. He said the film is tonally difficult to categorize and that Rosemary's Baby has been mentioned as a comparison. Linda Cardellini, Lilou Lang, and Lorelei Olivia Mote star in the film.
Timeline
1997: Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Cure is released.
November 6, 2026: Hader's comments on his influences for They Know are published.
Industry Dynamics
Hader's citation of Cure and Serpent's Path reflects a pattern of established directors leaning on cult psychological horror as reference points for genre debuts. Reports that the film is still searching for a distributor underscore how difficult it can be for mid-budget psychological horror to find a home in the current market.
They Know does not yet have a release date or confirmed distributor, so audiences cannot currently determine where or when to watch it. Viewers interested in its influences can seek out Cure and Serpent's Path in the meantime.
The takeaway
Hader's influences suggest that psychological horror rooted in unsettling ambiguity remains a durable touchstone for filmmakers, even when the finished work resists easy classification. Readers following the film can track its release through standard film industry listings as a distributor is secured.
Further reading
Explore more horror coverage for context on the films shaping the genre.
