From ‘Poor Twilight Rip-offs’ to an indie horror maven
Jamie Alvey’s journey into the world of horror storytelling reads like a script penned by the very genre she adores. Much like the outcasts she admires in the films that shaped her youth — Ginger Snaps, Jennifer’s Body, and Let the Right One In — Alvey found solace in the macabre while navigating the isolating reality of a bullied childhood. Today, she stands at the intersection of education, filmmaking, and personal transformation, using horror not just as a medium for storytelling but as a lens through which to explore the darkest and most absurd corners of the human experience, sprinkling in humor to bring some levity along the way.
Raised by a horror-loving mother and a cinephile father, Alvey grew up surrounded by an eclectic mix of influences.
“I was that proverbial bullied child. Some of the stuff that happened to me seems too cartoonish to have actually happened, but I lived it,” Alvey said. “I found such comfort in horror narratives because they centered on societal outcasts.”
With the support of her parents, who nurtured her love for storytelling, Alvey’s journey began as a young teen scribbling her earliest stories — “poor Twilight rip-offs,” as she jokingly recalls. But over time, she found her voice and her confidence, culminating in a BA in English and theatre from Brescia University and an MA in English literature from Mercy College.
Her storytelling craft truly came into its own when she discovered screenwriting. It wasn’t just about writing for Alvey — it was about creating entire worlds, peeling back the layers of societal and personal trauma, and using horror to navigate the complexities of grief, loss, and resilience.
Breaking the mold
Bystanders and the birth of a filmmaker
Alvey’s love affair with horror deepened with Bystanders, the screenplay that she calls “the greatest love of my life.” The script, born in 2017, delves into themes of PTSD, rape culture, and toxic masculinity, reflecting Alvey’s ability to channel her lived experiences into art that challenges societal norms. After years of diligent refinement, Bystanders came to life in 2023, with Alvey herself starring as Clare.
The project marked a turning point in her career, allowing her to explore acting, writing, and directing in a unified creative endeavor. The process was as rewarding as it was demanding, leaving her with a sense of accomplishment but also an emotional void.
“I found myself battling depression and isolation post-filming,” Alvey admits.
It was during this period that she revisited a story idea that eventually became the short film Your Husband Was a Good Man. This proof-of-concept short, exploring grief and trauma, became a therapeutic outlet and a foundation for her next creative chapter.
Navigating the horrors within
Your Husband Was a Good Man
The short film Your Husband Was a Good Man epitomizes Alvey’s ability to balance personal catharsis with universal storytelling. The project originated in the raw aftermath of multiple losses, including the death of her grandmother in 2021.
“I continued to parse through that loss and as I was going through that more and more grief accumulated — weird griefs even where the person is still alive but feels irrevocably lost to you in some way,” Alvey said. “Not to mention I had just filmed Bystanders as well, so a lot of emotions were swirling around. No one prepares you for grieving a person you could easily still converse with but are walled off from in a way.”
Acting as both director and lead actor, Alvey poured her emotions into the film, finding solace in the creative process.
“It was kind of a relief to get to the acting and directing portions because I could pour those feelings into those aspects more readily,” she said.
The film not only garnered festival attention but also became a testament to Alvey’s vision as a filmmaker. Its success has paved the way for a planned feature-length version, a project she is eager to bring to fruition in the coming years.
Building a legacy
Love and Horror Productions
Alvey’s vision for storytelling extended beyond her own work with the establishment of Love and Horror Productions in December 2023. The indie production company was born from a desire to create outside the constraints of a profit-driven studio system while offering aspiring filmmakers a chance to learn by doing.
Her students at Brescia University played a pivotal role in this endeavor. When Riley Norris, a former student and executive producer on Your Husband Was a Good Man, expressed interest in gaining hands-on experience, Alvey took the leap into the world of production. From there, she involved other students, transforming Love and Horror into a unique practicum-like experience where screenwriting classes evolved into full-fledged filmmaking projects.
The results have been nothing short of transformative.
“Seeing them find a story they were passionate about and willing to shepherd through multiple drafts was rewarding,” she said. “We had some real gems emerge in that process, and it was fun to watch them adapt to a new style of writing.”
One student, Daniel Rusiecki, used the skills he gained to write and produce his own short film over the summer, and others have similar plans or want to get back on a set in the future.
“I’ve probably created some accidental filmmakers in the process,” Alvey said.
Horror as a glass slipper
REDEFINING A GENRE
For Alvey, horror is not just a genre — it’s her “glass slipper,” a perfect fit for her creative sensibilities.
“I like having anxiety I can control,” she said. “You can always turn off a movie or put down a book. I like having a space where I can confront the fears of my flesh and my mind in a safe way. I’ve processed a lot of my existence through horror, both as a viewer and as a storyteller.”
Through her work, Alvey seeks to redefine the genre, showcasing its potential to tell deeply human stories that resonate far beyond jump scares and gore.
“There’s something beautiful amid the grotesque that speaks to the reality of life in ways that other genres can’t, in my opinion,” she said. “I think I want people to take away that horror isn’t just blood and guts and killing, but a real and feasible way to deliver an impactful story. Every element is usually painfully intentional and wrought by the people behind the cameras and the pages. On a personal level, I just want people to know they can survive the worst days of their life or know they are not alone in this supremely messed up world.”
Looking Ahead
Ambition meets artistry
The future looks bright — and busy — for Alvey. In addition to completing an MFA in creative writing, she is hard at work on several projects, including a feature-length screenplay for Your Husband Was a Good Man and a yet-to-be-announced project. She also dreams of expanding filmmaking opportunities at Brescia University, giving the next generation of storytellers the tools she wishes she’d had earlier in her career.
Her advice to aspiring writers and filmmakers is simple but profound: “You have to be bad first. Allow yourself to fail but also believe in your story. Tenacity and ambition will beat raw talent every day.”
Alvey’s life and career embody the resilience and determination of the archetypal horror final girl. Through every twist and turn, she has faced the shadows of doubt and fear, emerging stronger and more determined to share her voice with the world. Whether crafting haunting narratives, mentoring the next generation of filmmakers, or confronting her own demons, Alvey’s story is a testament to the power of storytelling — and to the enduring allure of horror as a genre that reveals the beauty amid the grotesque.
In her own words: “Basically, you’ve got to realize you’re the final girl of your own life. Cling to the good amidst the bad.”
And that, much like her films, is a message worth watching. OL
