The new Kryptic movie, an independent horror film set in B.C., readies for release, bringing emotional depth and local spotlight to a chilling adventure.
A Quiet Town, A Big Secret: ‘Kryptic’ Premieres This May in Hope, B.C.
Hope, British Columbia — the serene, forest-cloaked town known more for its natural beauty than monster mayhem — is about to step into the cinematic spotlight. Kryptic movie, a moody, emotionally driven monster thriller filmed in Hope and surrounding Fraser Valley locales, is set for release on May 9, and it’s already stirring conversation far beyond its small-town roots.
The indie horror, directed by Kourtney Roy, and starring Chloe Pirrie (The Queen’s Gambit, To Walk Invisible), follows Kay — a woman whose search for a missing monster hunter reveals more than she bargained for. But Kryptic is more than a genre flick; it’s a haunting reflection on loss, isolation, and the dark spaces where myth and memory blur.
Related: How Canadian Indie Films Are Reinventing the Horror Genre
Also Read: Why Rural Towns Are Becoming Hotspots for Filmmakers
A Local Lens on Global Fear: Why the Kryptic Movie Hits Different
This isn’t the first time Hope has graced the screen (remember Rambo: First Blood), but Kryptic breaks new ground. Filmed in 2022 across Hope, Agassiz, Sunshine Valley, and Manning Park, the movie uses B.C.’s eerie, fog-drenched landscapes not just as a backdrop — but as a narrative force.
Director Roy, who brings a visually rich background in photography, adds a surreal visual language to the project. “Kryptic is a deeply symbolic work,” she explained during her Fantasia Festival interview, where the film gained early attention.
The emotional core of Kryptic lies in Kay’s journey, which mirrors themes of trauma and recovery — themes that have intensified since the global pandemic. Read more about Canadian cinematic storytelling and trauma themes
From Monster Flick to Mirror: What the Kryptic Movie Tells Us About Ourselves
Beneath its chilling premise, Kryptic taps into collective fears that go beyond the creature in the woods. According to film psychologist Dr. Louise Hart, “Horror films like this give form to the intangible — grief, guilt, isolation. What’s haunting Kay is more than a monster; it’s her past.”
The emotional realism of Kay’s journey — portrayed with gripping nuance by Pirrie — grounds the story, making the film not just frightening, but deeply human and cathartic. In many ways, Kryptic uses horror as metaphor: the unexplained beast a stand-in for the traumas we carry and the truths we avoid.
More context: The Psychology of Horror – American Psychological Association
Further reading: Why Trauma Narratives Matter in Media – National Center for Biotechnology Information
What Happens After the Screams: Hope’s Cultural and Economic Boost
With the release date approaching, Hope locals are preparing for a surge of cinematic tourism. Kryptic could potentially replicate the success of other rural film settings like Squamish or Tofino. According to the British Columbia Film Commission, film tourism generates millions in regional revenue annually — and local businesses are hopeful.
The town has embraced its cinematic identity in the past, and Kryptic offers a chance to continue that legacy through a more emotionally resonant lens. Read How Local Filming Revives Small Town Economies
