Kurtis David Harder
Kurtis David Harder | |
|---|---|
| Born | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2017–present |
Kurtis David Harder is a Canadian filmmaker. He has directed at least five feature films.[1] His work as a director includes Incontrol (2017), Spiral (2019), as well as Influencer (2022) and its sequel Influencers (2025).[1] His work as a producer includes Still/Born (2017), What Keeps You Alive (2018), and V/H/S/94 (2021).[1]
Career
Born in Calgary, Alberta,[2] Harder began his career working as a cinematographer in 2017. He has also produced various feature films such as Still/Born (2017), What Keeps You Alive (2018), and V/H/S/94 (2021).[1]
Harder has directed at least five feature films.[1] Harder made his feature-length debut with Cody Fitz (2011).[3][4] His second feature film, Incontrol, was released in 2017.[5][6] Harder wrote the first draft of the screenplay for Incontrol in 2013.[4]
Another feature film, Spiral, was released in 2019.[7][8][9][10]
In 2022, he directed the feature film Influencer (2022), which was acquired and released by Shudder.[11][12] Influencer had its world premiere on October 16, 2022, at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.[13] Brandon Yu of The New York Times wrote, "Harder has made good and entertaining use of a premise that could have become a simple gimmick, and Naud and Saper prove strong leads as their characters try to read each other between the likes."[14]
A sequel titled Influencers premiered at the 29th Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2025. Cassandra Naud reprised her role from the first film.[15][16] It was also the closing film at FrightFest, where made its UK premiere in August 2025.[17] The film will be released on Shudder on December 12, 2025, after screening as the closing night film at Blood in the Snow in Toronto.[18][19]
Reception
In 2020, Harder was described by Wicked Horror "one of the most fascinating and inventive voices working in horror today."[6]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Cody Fitz | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2017 | Incontrol | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2019 | Spiral | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2020 | Summerland | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2023 | Influencer | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2025 | Influencers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Producer only
- Still/Born (2017)
- Fake Blood (2017)
- Knuckleball (2018)
- What Keeps You Alive (2018)
- Harpoon (2019)
- Z (2019)
- Superhost (2020)
- V/H/S/94 (2021)
- Shadow of God (2025)
- Bodycam (2025)
References
- ^ a b c d e "Kurtis David Harder Movies List | Rotten Tomatoes | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ Volmers, Eric (December 30, 2016). "16 rising stars of film and TV from Alberta who made a mark in 2016". Calgary Herald.
- ^ Volmers, Eric (September 24, 2012). "Calgary International Film Festival: Locally shot drama Cody Fitz examines the life and death angst of youth". Calgary Herald.
- ^ a b "How six friends with one camera and no money travelled nearly 10,000 kilometres for an indie road movie". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ Red Carpet News TV (2017-09-02). In Control Director Kurtis David Harder Interview FrightFest 2017. Retrieved 2025-11-12 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Keogh, Joey (2020-09-29). "Kurtis David Harder Hopes Spiral Won't Still Be Topical 10 Years From Now [Interview]". Wicked Horror. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ "Spiral (2019) | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ "'Spiral' Review: Kurtis David Harder Takes Queer Horror to New Level". We Live Entertainment. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ ""Spiral" goes for twists but ends up tangled". The Spool. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ "Spiral movie review & film summary (2020) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ Hoad, Phil (2023-05-25). "Influencer review – smart thriller about Instagrammers in mortal peril". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ "Emily Tennant is in Thailand in 'Influencer' Horror Trailer on Shudder". FirstShowing.net. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ Miska, Brad (2022-10-05). "'Influencer' Poster Unfollowed Ahead of Brooklyn Horror Fest". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
- ^ Yu, Brandon (2023-05-25). "'Influencer' Review: Reading Between the Likes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ Grober, Matt (May 6, 2025). "Cassandra Naud Reteams With Filmmaker Kurtis David Harder On Shudder Thriller Sequel 'Influencers'". Deadline. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ Minton, Matt (May 8, 2025). "Steve Pink's 'Terrestrial' and Julie Pacino's 'I Live Here Now' Among Fantasia 2025 First Wave Line-Up (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
- ^ "FrightFest Unleashes 2025 Line-Up". Starburst. July 10, 2025.
- ^ Blacktooth (2025-10-24). "Terror Returns to Toronto: Blood in the Snow Marks 14 Years of Canadian Horror Mayhem". Horror Society. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ "Influencers Trailer: Travel Blogger's Globe-Trotting Murder Spree Catches Up to Her in Shocking Sequel (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved 2025-11-12.