The past is always present in the sci-fi genre as the boundaries between time and memory find ways to blur together. That famed genre element is also distorting humanity and reality in the new horror thriller, ‘Site.’ The film’s protagonist, a devoted family man, is suffers traumatic visions of distant other lives that might hold the thread to his own unraveling present.

Jason Eric Perlman wrote, directed and produced the drama. The movie stars Jake McLaughlin, Arielle Kebbel, Theo Rossi, Miki Ishikawa, Carson Minniear, Yoson An and Danni Wang.

Blue Fox Entertainment distributed ‘Site’ in select U.S. theaters and on digital in the U.S. and Canada on August 8, 2025. Following its official release, the feature screened during the 41st Boston Film Festival the following month.

‘Site’ follows Neil Bardo (McLaughlin) and his business partner Garrison (Rossi) as they inspect an abandoned industrial property to assess whether it would be a good deal to buy and resell. The building complex was once a military test site, which has not been entirely decommissioned.

As a result, Neil suffers a mind-altering time distortion. Haunting hallucinations of strangers and troubling events from the past bleed into Neil’s reality.

While dealing with an impending divorce, Neil is trying to reconnect with his son, Wiley (Minniear). When he defies his wife, Elana (Kebbel), and takes Wiley out on a dirt bike, Neil has a hallucination.

As a result, he crashes the bike, which badly injuring his son. This puts enormous pressure on Neil to make the military base sale a success to pay for Wiley’s surgeries. With his life unraveling and his son’s sight hanging in the balance, Neil must uncover the secrets of the facility and the soul-shattering truth of his hallucinations.

Perlman generously took the time to participate in an exclusive interview over Zoom after ‘Site’s screening at the Boston Film Festival. Among other things, the filmmaker discussed the origins of the project, his creative approach to storytelling and direction, and the challenges of bringing an ambitious, character-driven genre feature to life on an independent scale.

Film Factual (FF): You wrote the screenplay for the new horror-sci-fi-thriller, ‘Site.’ What inspired you to pen the story? How did you approach crafting the script?

Jason Eric Perlman (JEP): The script developed in multiple stages. Early drafts were quite different and took place underground in an abandoned mining operation, where an anomaly allowed people to see into different time planes. Over time, the story evolved into a more scientific setting within a lab, and the characters became more interconnected across timelines and in their present-day lives.

Although many elements changed, the core idea remained the same: telling a story about people connected across time through a shared, traumatic experience.

FF: Besides scribing the screenplay, you also directed the film. How did you approach helming the drama after you penned the script?

JEP: By the time production began, I was very familiar with the script and had a clear vision for how the imagery should align with the story. Finding the tone and working with actors to achieve the right mood came naturally.

The real challenge came from managing an ambitious production on an independent budget. We had to navigate complex set builds, tight shooting schedules and external factors like weather and power issues. Much of the directing process involved anticipating potential problems and managing time effectively. That was especially true during outdoor shoots in the southeastern U.S., where summer storms created additional challenges.

FF: Speaking of shooting ‘Site’ in the southeastern U.S., how did you work with the project’s production designer, Gabor Norman, to create the look of the settings?

JEP: We initially searched across the United States and even considered locations in Eastern Europe for the right look. Ultimately, we found what we needed in North Carolina with the help of the local film commission.

A major breakthrough came from Gabor, who transformed an abandoned textile warehouse into multiple sets, including a particle collider. That space became a central hub for the production, allowing us to build various interiors and reduce the need for company moves.

We also found strong exterior locations in North Carolina that matched the screenplay’s requirements, including settings for the science complex and other key environments.

FF: The movie stars Jake McLaughlin, Arielle Kebbel and Theo Rossi in lead roles. How did you approach casting the thriller?

JEP: We worked with casting director Kelly Roy, who brought a lot of experience, especially with independent genre films. I had a clear sense of each character but stayed open to interpretation.

Some casting decisions came together quickly. Actors like Theo and Arielle immediately stood out, both for their performances and their connection to the film’s themes. Others, like Nikki Howard, were recommended through collaborators, while Jake came on later but proved to be a perfect fit.

It was important to me that the actors connected not just to the roles, but to the deeper ideas in the story, as that would elevate their performances.

FF: How did you work with the actors to create the physicality for their characters?

JEP: I prefer to give actors the freedom to develop their own interpretations of a character’s physicality and behavior. They often bring detailed ideas about mannerisms and personality, which we then refine through discussion and collaboration.

Rather than imposing a strict vision, I like to see what they bring to the role and then fine-tune those choices together.

FF: Eunah Lee served as ‘Site’s cinematographer. How did you collaborate together to decide how you visually shoot the film?

JEP: My cinematographer and I began working together well before production. We discussed visual influences, studied paintings and photography, during which we explored tone, color palettes and lighting approaches.

We also tested camera techniques and lenses to achieve a specific look, ultimately aiming for a slightly ethereal, 1970s-inspired visual style. Through extensive planning, storyboarding, and daily discussions during the shoot, we developed a strong creative rhythm and a shared understanding of how to frame and capture each scene.

FF: Besides writing and directed the drama, you also served as one of its producers. How did you work with your fellow producers to get the movie made?

JEP: I had known the producers for many years, which created a strong foundation of trust. While filmmaking can strain relationships due to its challenges, that familiarity ultimately helped us navigate obstacles together.

We faced issues such as illness, weather delays and technical problems, but the producers remained flexible and supportive throughout. Their ability to adapt was crucial in helping us complete the film.

FF: ‘Site’ screened during the 41st Boston Film Festival. What was the experience like of screening the drama at the festival?

JEP: It was a great experience. The festival team was highly organized and made the process seamless, from coordinating travel to managing the screening itself.

The audience response was especially rewarding. The screening was well attended, and the Q&A session lasted nearly 45 minutes, with thoughtful and engaged questions from viewers. It was clear that the film resonated with a diverse audience, including students and longtime filmgoers.

Overall, it was incredibly gratifying to see how well the film was received and how deeply audiences connected with it.