Creating “That Feeling” by Jacob Karl Anderson
Director’s Statement
(That Feeling, The One You Can Only Say What It Is In French)
As a lifelong fan of King’s work, I’ve always been drawn to the way that he weaves supernatural elements with the psychological complexities of the human experience. For me, adapting “That Feeling, The One You Can Only Say What It Is In French” was an opportunity to channel that same emotional complexity, and to pay tribute to the man whose stories shaped so much of my own approach to storytelling. This story is as much about the human condition as it is about death, and in adapting it, I wanted to keep that dynamic alive.
This short film depicts a young woman trapped in purgatory after a fatal car crash. In this liminal space, time is repetitive and reality is hazy—attempting to mirror what it feels like to be trapped in grief, or in the aftermath of a life-altering event. The central question of the story is not whether she can change her fate, but if she can learn to accept it.
I found myself heavily inspired by the work of David Lynch. Lynch’s ability to blend surrealism, disquieting atmosphere, and emotional depth was a constant reference point throughout the process. I wanted the audience to feel like they were stepping into a dream—or perhaps a nightmare—where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blur in unsettling ways. With his influence, I focused on creating an experience that was less about clear answers and more about a visceral feeling of uncertainty, discomfort, and quiet tension.
It’s hard to overstate how special it was for me to work on an official adaptation of a Stephen King story. This film is, in many ways, a love letter to both King’s work and my own personal connection to it. My father and I have bonded over King’s books for as long as I can remember. His vast collection of novels, passed down from my uncle, was my gateway into horror fiction, a subgenre that has since taken over my life. Words can not express how important it was for me to tell my father what I was working on. The ability to explain to my ailing uncle, as he put down his latest Stephen King book, that I was joining the ranks of filmmakers that have been trusted to adapt his work. To show him my name next to Stephen’s on the poster. To show my father his producer credit inches away from the name of his lifelong idol. It’s been a surreal experience for my entire family. I’ll value this opportunity for the rest of my life.
Jacob Karl Alexander – January 1, 2025
