In a bold collaboration poised to shake up the horror genre, acclaimed filmmaker Deon Taylor is stepping behind the camera once again for Don’t Open the Door, a psychological thriller set in the soul-rich streets of South Central L.A. This isn’t just another scary movie—it’s a haunting meditation on trauma, fear, and cultural truth.
Joining forces with producer Tommy Oliver of Confluential Films, Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group is setting the stage for a gripping new chapter in genre cinema—where Black creators own the pen, direct the vision, and fund the future. The project also marks a major release under Confluential’s new horror imprint, New Fear Unlocked.
“This partnership with Tommy Oliver and Confluential Films isn’t just timely—it’s a powerful move rooted in vision, ownership, and the evolution of horror through a Black creative lens,” said Taylor.
Set to film in Los Angeles this July, Don’t Open the Door unfolds in the historic West Adams district—layering its horror elements with the real-world dread of lived experience. The film promises more than jump scares. It’s elevated horror—where tension meets truth, and fear becomes a mirror.
“Deon is an artist, an entrepreneur, and a marketing genius,” said Oliver. “The combination of Confluential and Hidden Empire is going to be straight fire.”
Adding even more cinematic firepower to the mix is two-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Dante Spinotti (Heat, L.A. Confidential, The Insider), who will lend his signature eye to the project. Kim Coleman, one of Hollywood’s most respected casting directors, brings her award-winning touch to the ensemble.
While plot details remain under wraps, it’s confirmed that Don’t Open the Door will include a comic book component, expanding its universe and bridging horror with graphic storytelling.
This project also underscores a growing movement: Black-owned studios creating unapologetically bold content on their own terms. Hidden Empire continues to push boundaries with upcoming projects like the reboot of Blacula, a biopic on John Lewis, and a documentary series on Floyd Mayweather. Meanwhile, Confluential Films recently won Sundance and Emmy accolades for Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, and is developing high-profile titles with major streamers and stars.
Together, these studios are proving what happens when art, ownership, and cultural authenticity intersect. Don’t Open the Door may be fiction, but the power behind it is very, very real.
