For Bill Hader, the journey to directing his first feature was a winding one, following years as a beloved cast member on 'Saturday Night Live,' a range of memorable film roles, and his acclaimed work co-creating and directing multiple episodes of the HBO series 'Barry.' His directorial efforts on 'Barry' even earned him a Directors Guild of America award in 2019, clearly preparing him for the leap to feature filmmaking.

In 'They Know,' Hader takes on multiple roles, serving as writer, director, and star. The horror film, which has completed photography and is currently in the sound-mixing stage, focuses on a divorced father who begins to suspect that his ex-wife's new partner is having an unusual and disturbing influence on their children. Linda Cardellini co-stars in the MRC-produced feature, which is now being prepared for distribution.

The genesis of the film's premise came from deeply personal conversations Hader had with his longtime writing partner, Duffy Boudreau. Both men, having experienced divorce, discussed the "worst case scenarios" that can arise in co-parenting relationships, planting the seed for the unsettling narrative of 'They Know.'

Hader revealed that he nearly abandoned the project at one point, struggling to find an ending that didn't feel like "every other horror movie." The unexpected breakthrough arrived after he saw Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 2025 film 'Cloud.' Despite 'They Know' bearing no resemblance to Kurosawa's work, viewing the film somehow provided Hader with the clarity needed to unlock his own ending.

Despite his extensive experience and reputation as a passionate cinephile, Hader admitted to a persistent sense of self-doubt throughout the filmmaking process. He traced this feeling back to his time on 'SNL,' recalling, "You would just get shot down constantly. It was horrible." However, he believes this constant critique fostered an invaluable reliance on instinct.

Hader views this healthy dose of fear as a positive motivator, encouraging a collaborative atmosphere on set. He emphasized the importance of open discussions with his crew, from testing different lenses during location scouts to meticulously reviewing shot lists with his editor in pre-production. He even cited a story about Martin Scorsese, who reportedly begins some days admitting, "I don’t know what I’m doing," finding this honesty incredibly freeing.

Ultimately, Hader's key message to the audience at the IndieWire summit was to embrace vulnerability and accept the possibility of making mistakes. "Don’t be afraid to be wrong. That’s the thing that screwed me up. I was so terrified of looking like an idiot," he advised. "Be wrong as fast as you can be. Like, this is all wrong, but it doesn’t matter. We’re just going to. We’re going to be OK. Just keep moving." His journey with 'They Know' serves as a powerful example of how even seasoned talents navigate uncertainty to bring their creative visions to life.