An Interview with Greg A. Sager, Director of Cheat
September 2024
Your new movie Cheat – in a few words, what’s it about?
Cheat follows the character Zoe who is in the midst of an affair with Adam while trying to hold out hope that her and her slightly unhinged husband Chris can work things out even though there is some sort of personal trauma between them that we’re not sure about. When Adam’s apartment is broken into they begin to suspect that Chris might know about their affair, and that’s when things start going off the rails for Zoe and she is thrown into hellish situation after hellish situation not knowing who she can trust.
What were your sources of inspiration when writing Cheat?
This one was definitely inspired by 80’s Brian DePalma films such as Body Double, where nothing is as it seems. I thought it was a great base for telling a twisty story about someone who was having an affair where the reasons weren’t so cut and dry… more complex and nuanced, and what would happen if they wronged the wrong person who takes things to extremes.
What can you tell us about Cheat‘s approach to the thriller genre?
We wanted to make sure that first and foremost we could get the audience behind our main character Zoe, after all she is the “cheater”, which I think we’ve done, and then make a “whodunit” that keeps the audience guessing, even maybe confident on who they think it is without “jumping the shark” story wise.
A few words about your overall directorial approach to your story at hand?
I’m a firm believer in leaving room for actors to bring their craft to the table. I try not to over-direct, let things happen organically to a certain degree. So much can happen on set and I like to stay open to that. Some of the best moments in our films happen that way.
Do talk about Cheat‘s key cast, and why exactly these people?
We were very fortunate with this cast. Shelby Handley, who plays our lead Zoe, was an absolute revelation, she gave 110 every day, and we honestly put her through pure hell. She has this wonderful strength and vulnerability about her which the character needed. I think the world will be seeing a lot of her in the years to come.
Ry Barrett, who is one of my go-tos, plays Zoe’s husband, Chris and I love working with him, which is obvious since he’s been in three of my films. He has that ability to convey so much without saying a word when you frame the camera on him. I wish I had ten Rys for every film.
Then there’s Rodrigo who plays the lover Adam. Rodrigo is one of those double treats as he is also a Latin pop singer, and his chemistry with Shelby’s character is amazing to watch, he is just so genuine in his performance.
What can you tell us about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?
We always run with small crews and we keep it very chill and have fun. No egos allowed. Everyone multitasks and wears multiple hats, and we’ve developed a lot of shorthand over the years together and have become a fairly well-oiled machine. Sets are wonderful things, you kind of develop an instant family vibe pretty quickly. We always make a point of just hanging out for a drink after every shoot day and decompress together. That was something great we started during the pandemic, and we’ll continue doing but not 6ft apart.
The $64-question of course, where can Cheat be seen?
Starting September 17th Cheat can be streamed in the US and Canada on-demand on all the major cable companies as well as platforms such as Amazon Instant Video, Googleplay, Vudu, iTunes and Vimeo.
Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of Cheat?
It’s just getting out there now, and so far the reviews have been positive but we’re really excited to see what the audience reactions will be to this one. Cheating is a devisive topic and I’m interested to hear people’s take on it. “What would you do?”-kind of conversations I love.
Any future projects you’d like to share?
We’re just in early stages of pre-production on Jane, which we will hopefully be shooting this coming spring. It’s one of my favorite scripts I’ve ever written and excited about finally willing that one into reality. Like Cheat it’s full of twists and turns with a Girl with the Dragon Tattoo-vibe.
What got you into filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the subject?
I was one of those Star Wars babies, when I saw it I was 7 and knew immediately I wanted to make films. So for the next 25 years I self-taught myself everything I could and volunteered as much as I could on productions just to learn what I could. During all that time I was always reading and writing screenplays, just learning and getting better. It’s a never ending process and I still have work to do but couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Cheat?
Matchbox Pictures, the production company we formed in 2009, started with the horror-possession film Devil Seed, which was the first feature I ever directed, and that got the ball rolling and has a special place in my heart. We had pretty good success with that one, and since then we’ve went on to make 4 more feature films and hope to make many more.
How would you describe yourself as a director?
Ooh, that’s one of those questions to better ask the actors I work with, but I like to think I’m one of those directors who’s able to set the tone on set and be open to ideas from the people around me. In front of the camera and behind. I come in with a plan, a framework but always ready and willing to toss something out if we come across a better way. We are here to serve the story, and to me that’s what is most important.
Filmmakers who inspire you?
Ridley Scott and David Fincher are my gods. Also love DePalma as I mentioned as well as Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino of course. I just love movie making. Good films and even some bad films can inspire me. Once you’ve been through the process of making a movie it still amazes me how anything gets made and kudos to those that do it.
Your favourite movies?
Seven has to be at the top of my list, but I also love Alien, Zodiak and Sicario. To me movies are like music, it really can depend on my mood. Some are just comfort food for me like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the Star Wars films.
… and of course, films you really deplore?
Uh oh, I’m going to probably get backlash for this one, Longlegs. I was actually angry coming out of the theater. It was beautifully shot and amazing performances but I felt they wedge in a whole lot of stuff to make the story work and try to be too original with the whole supernatural angle when it would have worked much better as a straight-up hunt for a serial killer film. I’ll definitely give them an A+ on the marketing, it got my ass in a seat opening day.
Your/your movie’s website, social media, whatever else?
Our website is matchboxpcture.ca and our socials are @Matchboxpicture on Twitter, @matchboxpictures on Instagram and Threads, and my personal Instagram is @gregasager
Anything else you’re dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?
Not at all. Thanks so much for all the questions and the help promoting our little indie film!
Thanks for the interview!