Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire is a new mockumentary-style horror/thriller both written and directed by Stuart Ortiz (Grave Encounters), which recently premiered at Fantastic Fest! The story follows two detectives, played by Peter Zizzo and Terri Apple, as they pursue a prolific serial killer in Southern California’s Inland Empire. Crafted to capture the spooky, eerie vibe of a true crime documentary, the film is not your average horror movie. We recently had the chance to chat with Stuart Ortiz about the film, the process of casting the right actors, and why he chose this particular format to tell the story.
iHorror: So, we’re here to talk about Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire! Who can tell us a little about it?
Stuart Ortiz: I can take that on! Should I give a synopsis or my pitch?
iHorror: A synopsis would be great!
Stuart Ortiz: Strange Harvest is a documentary-style horror film about the investigation of a prolific serial killer who’s been murdering people for about twenty years in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. It focuses on the detectives’ pursuit of the killer and their attempts to stop him.
iHorror: How did the cast come together?
Stuart Ortiz: For this film, I was searching for actors and put out a casting call. When I envisioned the roles, I wasn’t locked into any specific ethnicity or gender. It didn’t matter to me. I think I was hoping for one male and one female lead, but it ultimately came down to whoever was the best fit for the roles.
Terri Apple: I remember that!
iHorror: So, survival of the fittest! I like it.
Stuart Ortiz: (Laughs) Exactly. I saw a lot of auditions, but when the tapes from these two amazing actors came in, it was almost immediately clear they were the right ones. I always put people through a process—Peter can attest to that—but it was apparent from the start. We were trying to find two actors who were hidden gems, and I think we did just that.
iHorror: Peter, what attracted you to the role of Detective Joe Kirby?
Peter Zizzo: I felt like this detective was someone I understood how to play right away. I talked to a retired homicide detective I met through my therapist in New York—I’m originally from New York. What struck me was how calmly this guy talked about truly horrific things he’d seen. I thought, “Wow, this guy has witnessed so much horrifying stuff and has had to break terrible news to victims’ families, yet he keeps this calm, stoic demeanor.” You could tell he was haunted by his experiences, but he was also kind.
I thought, “Kind, haunted, stoic, with a bit of humor when appropriate.” You have to bring nuance to the character because so much of the film involves interviews with detectives. You don’t want the character to be flat or boring, but you also don’t want it to seem like acting. I think it’s a testament to Stuart’s writing that Joe and Lexi are distinct enough that Terri and I were able to deliver very natural performances rooted in who we are, while still taking us somewhere else through the story.
Terri Apple: I tried to keep my character as real as possible. As a detective, she has her own backstory that Stuart had written into the basics of the role—her childhood, for example, which played a part in her drive. She approaches things differently than I would, but I loved the qualities in her, and Stuart gave us space to really develop these characters.
iHorror: What was the chemistry like between the two of you on set? How did you get along?
Peter Zizzo: Oh, we didn’t speak at all. (Laughs.)
Terri Apple: (Laughs) We got along very well! It felt natural. Peter, what do you think?
Peter Zizzo: Absolutely. Neither of us is shy or socially awkward, so we hit it off right away. We looked each other up beforehand, so there was mutual respect from the start. A lot of what we did was separate—mostly interviews with our characters. But when we did work together—whether in a house, hospital, or storage facility—we got to vibe off each other and improvise.
Terri Apple: Yeah, Stuart would give us structure but allow us to improvise. It was a fantastic experience.
Stuart Ortiz: Casting is everything. You have to do your due diligence, and once I found Peter and Terri, I was confident they were perfect for the roles. When you’re doing a film like this, it’s not straightforward acting. You’re asked to be completely real, with a camera right in your face, and there’s nothing to hide behind. It’s all about reacting naturally. The second we did the first take, I knew they were going to be perfect together.
iHorror: If you could each say one important thing about the film, what would it be?
Peter Zizzo: You don’t have to be a horror fan to enjoy it. It’s intense and creepy, with some gore, but if you’re into true crime or mystery, this film is for you.
iHorror: Stuart, where did the documentary-style approach come from?
Stuart Ortiz: It just felt like it was in the air. These true crime documentaries—honestly, some of them are creepier than many horror films. There’s something unsettling about not having all the information. In a documentary, you’re limited to the facts, and these detectives are chasing hard evidence. That’s the lane we’re in with this story. There are hints that something stranger might be going on with the killer, but the detectives can’t dive too deep into those theories. It gives us a unique opportunity to play with cosmic horror, which is so much about what you don’t see.
iHorror: Terri, where did you draw inspiration for your character, Detective Alexis “Lexi” Taylor?
Terri Apple: I’m very passionate about serial murders. I find it fascinating to read about the childhoods of serial killers. There’s also something going on within the police force across the country—if there’s a murder in Ohio that’s similar to one in Texas, why isn’t the Ohio detective calling the one in Texas? There are egos getting in the way of solving these crimes. About twenty years ago, I was involved with Find the Children, where I’d visit schools and talk about missing kids. It’s something I’m passionate about, and I loved playing a character who felt the same. I’m drawn to this type of content in general, and it’s frustrating that more isn’t being done to ensure people’s safety.
iHorror: So, you felt a personal connection to the character?
Terri Apple: Absolutely, in the way I played her. Stuart built in her backstory—her mother had been married to abusive men, and Lexi is determined to never let her life be controlled like that. I connected with her drive to stop people from getting away with things like this, and with her frustration over the missing pieces that allow people to slip through the cracks and continue hurting others.
iHorror: Thanks so much for your time! We’ll be keeping an eye on the film, and we wish you the best of luck with everything!
Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 22nd and received rave reviews, including one from our friends at Bloody Disgusting! We’ll be eagerly awaiting the official release date!
