Back in September of 2015, Nerdist had the opportunity to attend Fantastic Fest, an annual celebration of all things genre taking place in Austin, TX. Amongst the karaoke and the barbecue was a tense thriller that got a lot of attendees talking. Karyn Kusama, director of Girlfight and Jennifer’s Body, was back with The Invitation, the story of a man attending a dinner party at the home of his ex-wife and her new husband. The film blurs the layers of mounting paranoia, mystery, and the horror of human interaction and has been well received by critics. Hitting theaters this weekend, The Invitation promises to keep you on the edge of your seat and have you talking while you leave the theater.

We spoke with Kusama and screenwriter Phil Hay about the film and explored the possibilities within ourselves for violence, corruption, and questionable morality. We also discussed different kinds of “horror” that exist in the world. While moviegoers may love the ideas of monsters and bad guys in masks, what happens when human beings and the lengths they will go to to protect their personal relationships and beliefs become truly terrifying? Kusama weighed in on this and lots more in the clip above.

Take a look at our conversation now and don’t miss The Invitation, starring Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, Michiel Huisman, Emayatzy Corinealdi, and John Carroll Lynch, in theaters and on VOD Friday, April 8, 2016.

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Featured Image Credit: Drafthouse Films

Clarke Wolfe writes Horror Happenings for Nerdist every Sunday. You can follow her on Twitter @clarkewolfe.