DirectorLee Croninfirst caught my eye with his short filmGhost Train- which I highly recommend watchingright here. Ever since I first watched that, I’ve wanted to see Cronin jump into feature filmmaking, specifically to make a feature-length version ofGhost Train. While that hasn’t happened yet, things couldn’t have panned out much better for him because not only is his feature directorial debut,The Hole in the Ground, very impressive but during our chat at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, Cronin also teased he really is working on aGhost Trainfeature!
But before I get too carried away with that,The Hole in the GroundstarsSeána Kerslakeas Sarah, a single mother who’s eager to make a fresh start for her young son Chris (James Quinn Markey). The two move into a new home and everything seems fine until Sarah discovers there’s a gigantic sink hole practically right in their backyard. One night Chris vanishes but then Sarah finds him home sweet home, seemingly unharmed. But soon thereafter, Sarah starts to suspect that her son isn’t quite himself anymore.
While celebrating the world premiere ofThe Hole in the Groundin Park City, Cronin, Kerslake and Markey all came into the Collider Studio at Sundance to talk about their experience making the movie, the status of thatGhost Trainfeature, the trio plays a little Sundance-themed “Would You Rather,” and loads more! I highly recommend checking outThe Hole in the Groundwhen it’s made available on DIRECTV starting January 31st or when it hits theaters on March 1st. And if you need more convincing, you can check out my review of the filmright here.
You can give the full interview a watch using the video player at the top of this article. You can also find a full breakdown of the conversation and theHole in the Groundtrailer below.
Finally, I’d like to give special thanks to our Collider Studio partner, the all new2020 Kia Telluride, who was transporting celebrities to our studio and debuting their all new Telluride, Kia’s first eight-passenger SUV that is several inches longer and wider than the brand’s award-winning Sorento.
Libations flowing at the Collider studio and parties were provided byLIFEWTR, Tequila Comisario, Sensi Tuscany Wines, Blue Moon Belgian WhiteandDragonfly Coffee Roasters. Food during the evening parties was provided byGreene St. Kitchen of Palms Casino Resorthelmed by Chef Du CuisineLanny Chin. Brand partners also active during the day-part includemou, a luxury footwear and accessories line, andThe Wild Immersionendorsed by Jane Goodall who was on-site with the world’s first ‘virtual reserve’.
Follow our behind the scenes on social media with #KiaSupperSuite.
Lee Cronin, Seána Kerslake, James Quinn Markey:
Here’s the official synopsis forThe Hole in the Ground:
Sarah and her young son Chris move to a new home in the Irish countryside, next to a forest that hides an enormous sinkhole. One night, Chris vanishes, and when he reappears he seems unharmed and unchanged. But, as his behavior grows increasingly disturbing, Sarah begins to fear that the boy who has returned may not be her son at all. The feature debut from writer-director Lee Cronin, The Hole in the Ground weaves suspense, terror, and supernatural folklore into a richly evocative story about the primal fears of motherhood.
