The fear of future technology is not far from everyone;s minds at the moment and the chilling thriller, CognAItive is a movie which takes this fear to new heaghts. We talked to its director Tommy Savas about this truly cool movie at FrightFest 2025.
NYX: How did you become attached to the project?
TS: Reckless Content, an indie studio, approached me after seeing a short film I directed. They were looking to collaborate on my first feature, and I jumped at the opportunity. I teamed up with my wife, Angie Simms, who also wrote the film and together we developed the concept. The studio greenlit it and off we went.
NYX: Did the cast have much time to rehearse as they all deliver such tight performances?
TS: Zero time. This was a low-budget indie horror film shot in 14 days, rehearsals weren’t a luxury we could afford. That’s why casting was so important to me. I knew I needed actors who could come in and nail it under tight constraints, and they absolutely delivered.
NYX: This is smart psychological horror—how would you describe the movie?
TS: The quick pitch? ChatGPT comes alive and kills everyone in the office. But beneath that, it’s really about our growing dependency on technology and how that’s impacting our lives, especially in the arts.
NYX: This is your directorial debut—were you nervous the first day on set?
TS: Not nervous—excited. Well maybe a little nervous.
NYX: What new lessons in directing did you learn during production?
TS: Trust your gut. I’ve been in this industry a long time, and it’s easy to second-guess yourself. But what gives a film its voice is a strong point of view.
NYX: Was it all shot on location?
TS: Yeah, we shot everything in Downtown LA in a mostly vacant office building. I say “mostly” because the guy who owned it still had an office upstairs… and he loved yelling at his employees.
NYX: The movie has some dark moments—what was the atmosphere like on set?
TS: Honestly, the vibe was always fun. I believe creativity thrives when people are enjoying themselves.
NYX: Do you think technology (or anything else for that matter) can brainwash people?
TS: Yes, of course. If you’ve ever looked up from Instagram and realized it’s been four hours and you’re dehydrated, then yeah, you know exactly what I mean.
NYX: How hard was it to design the look of the technology in the movie?
TS: Tough. I was inspired by those amazing ’80s and ’90s techno-thrillers, and I wanted to nod to that aesthetic while still making it feel modern. Striking that balance took some work, but it was worth it.
NYX: This is a very timely movie—do you think AI is something to be embraced or feared?
TS: Honestly? Both. It’s a powerful tool that can do a lot of good. But if we lean on it too heavily, we risk becoming irrelevant. And for creative people especially, that’s a real threat.
NYX: The soundtrack is pretty cool—any chance of that getting a release?
TS: Hell yeah, brother! I’m a huge fan of film soundtracks, so crafting a score was a priority from the beginning. We’re definitely exploring a release.
NYX: Will you be nervous when the movie has its world premiere at FrightFest 2025?
TS: Absolutely. Anytime you put your work out into the world, it’s nerve-wracking. I’ll probably puke right before the movie starts—but in a good way.
NYX: You’re a multi-talented creative—is there one role you prefer?
TS: No, I love all aspects of filmmaking—acting, directing, writing, producing. I plan on doing it all for as long as I’m lucky enough to.
NYX: So, what are you working on at the moment?
TS: Right now, I’m developing another horror film with my favorite writer—my wife, Angie. It’s a story I’ve wanted to tell for years, and this one comes with a slightly bigger budget. Fingers crossed we shoot next summer. Stay tuned.
NYX: Tommy Savas, thank you very much.
