Don’t Watch This

Director Statement

The idea for Don’t Watch This began with a simple thought experiment: What if an actor didn’t ignore the camera? That single question spiraled into something much bigger—What if a character realized she was in a movie, but nobody else did? That evolution of thought led to the concept of this film.

As I developed the story, I realized how deeply it resonated with the way we engage with media today. Social media has transformed our reality—visibility, likes, and views have become currency. People crave attention. But when does that craving become too much? This film serves as a cautionary tale: Be careful what you wish for.

Beyond that, I wanted to explore something even darker—our society’s obsession with other people’s downfall. We speculate wildly when someone like Kate Middleton disappears for a month. We sensationalize Britney Spears’ mental health struggles. Gossip and tabloid culture thrive on the spectacle of human suffering. And I’m not exempt—I’ve caught myself obsessing over celebrity drama. It’s wired into us. We watch, we consume, we dissect. Don’t Watch This plays with that idea, making the viewer complicit.

With these themes in mind, I wanted to create something immersive. Breaking the fourth wall is often used as a gimmick to confide in the audience, but here, it serves a deeper purpose. The viewer isn’t just observing—they’re part of the story. They are the antagonist. My goal is for the audience to feel uncomfortable, not just by watching Lin’s unraveling, but by knowing she sees them watching.

This film is a challenge. The audience is explicitly told not to watch, not to be part of this spectacle. And yet, they do.

I like to believe the film is an experiment in participation, voyeurism, and complicity.

I hope it leaves the audience unsettled. If even one person, after all these warnings, stands up and walks out of the screening, then we have succeeded.