ASH is a new science fiction horror film from one of the genre’s most exciting multi-hyphenates. The movie tells the story of Riya, a woman who wakes up on a distant planet to discover that the crew of her space station has been brutally killed. It was directed by V/H/S/99 “Ozzy’s Dungeon” segment helmer Flying Lotus, real name Steven D. Bingly-Ellison, who also acts in and wrote the musical score for the film.
Starring in the movie are Eiza González (Baby Driver) as Riya and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad, Westworld), who are both showcased in the ASH trailer. They’re joined by Iko Uwais (Expend4bles), Kate Elliott (The Gulf), and Beulah Koale (Hawaii Five-0). Ash was written by Jonni Remmler.
ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley interviewed Eiza González, Aaron Paul, and Flying Lotus about their work on their new sci-fi horror film at South by Southwest 2025. Flying Lotus discussed the unique influences behind ASH, as well as the approach to bringing to life many of the movie’s visuals. Paul and González shared their experiences playing and developing their characters, and González shared an update about the continuation of Netflix’s 3 Body Problem.
ASH Was More Influenced By Video Games Than Movies
“The Script Kind Of Played Like A Video Game”
When asked if ASH was inspired by the classic sci-fi horror game Dead Space, Flying Lotus revealed that he looked to video games more than films as references for the tone of his new movie. “There was something about it where I was just like, ‘Let me try the road a little less traveled with this one, and think about it from a gamer’s perspective,” the director said.
He continued: “The script kind of played like a video game, especially in the beginning.” As for games that came to mind, “Dead Space is up there.”
Eiza González & Aaron Paul Discuss Their ASH Characters Riya & Brion
There Is A Serious Lack Of Trust Between The Pair
“You rarely get to play so many characters in one,” Eiza González said when asked what it was like to portray Riya, a character who suffers from memory loss in Ash. It’s in part thanks to the genre: “I think that’s the beauty of some psychological [thrillers]. The aspects of doing horror allow for that to exist, you can kind of dive into multiple personalities, and the more you do it, the more it layers the film.”
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Ash Trailer: Aaron Paul & Eiza González’s Trippy Sci-Fi Horror Is The Next Alien Replacement We Need
Eiza González and Aaron Paul navigate a planet teeming with haunting forces in the first trailer for the science-fiction horror movie Ash.
Flying Lotus jumped in: “She was always trying to be aware of her headspace and where she was coming from. And she has this memory loss, so there’s kind of this approach of, ‘I’m fresh. I’m a newborn.’”
Aaron Paul shared what that meant for the relationship between Riya and his character, Brion, saying, “I show up and she’s really beat-up. She doesn’t remember anything. Our entire crew has been massacred, so I’m not sure if I can trust her whatsoever.” Paul added, “I want to because she’s part of my team, but on the other hand, everyone else is dead and she’s not.”
The Planet Of Ash Is… At A Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturing Warehouse?
Practical Effects Were Key To The Movie’s Immersion
The look of ASH is unlike that of most other films, whether they are horror or science-fiction. “There was a lot of practical,” Flying Lotus said about crafting the movie’s look, “The sets were all built … We got to do everything contained in this little… it was like a kitchen cabinet manufacturing company. We were in their warehouse.” An unconventional locale, maybe, but, “It was a really bizarre thing. As soon as we got in there, it was like we were in space, on Ash. It helped everyone be immersed in that vibe of the isolation and the darkness.”
It’s an embarrassment of riches.
González added, “The sandstorm that was created… we saw it happen live. That was very impactful,” then went on to share, “all the lighting and the mood-[making] really helps, because it really determines the tone of the movie … where it’s going, and where it’s coming from. Lighting has a purpose in the movie. It’s not just to be pretty and beautiful. It’s part of the setorytelling.”
Paul shared his thoughts as well: “It’s an embarrassment of riches,” the actor said, “the fact that we get to help make believe, tell stories, and on the biggest scale. Yes, this was on a low [budget], but it was so beautiful. [It was a] beautiful experience.”
Eiza Gonzáles Shares A 3 Body Problem Season 2 Update
“Very, Very Soon”
Netflix’s 2024 sci-fi thriller 3 Body Problem adapted the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin to big success for the platform. The next season will adapt Cixin’s follow-up, Dark Forest. “Very soon. Very, very soon. This year,” González said about the timeline of the new season, while also sharing her excitement: “The Dark Forest is my favorite book.”
The showrunners agreed with her, according to the actor: “I hate to say this because I think every part of a series is important, and this is no different, but when we were talking about the books, the showrunners were like, ‘We just have to power through the first season to get to the real juicy part of the story and where it goes.’” González was not disparaging the show’s arrival, however, saying, “And what a way to power through the first season. It was incredible.”
Ash premiered on March 11 at SXSW 2025 and will be released in theaters on March 21.
Check out our other SXSW 2025 interviews here:
Source: Screen Rant Plus
Ash
- Release Date
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March 21, 2025
- Director
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Flying Lotus
- Writers
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Jonni Remmler
- Producers
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Neill Blomkamp, Matthew Metcalfe, Nate Bolotin, Aram Tertzakian, Nick Spicer, Maile Daugherty, Adam Riback