Survivor Type, by Billy Hanson. A.K.A. “What if Hannibal Lecter was a castaway on a desert island?”

Hey guys, how are you? It’s been a while, right? I really missed you. Just like the main character of today’s Dollar Baby, I was also a kind of castaway on a desert island of my own. Sometimes we become castaways on islands we build inside ourselves, right? And like the protagonist of today’s Dollar Baby, I also lost some parts of myself but unlike that guy, I didn’t eat them. At least not yet. Hahaha.

Valentine’s Day is coming, and we at SKSM decided to give you a gift. Why? Because we love you. It’s so cool to have a place where we can talk about our favorite author and the short films based on his work. And the only reason this place exists is because you read it. So the gift we’re giving you is something we’re all crazy about: a Dollar Baby. We’re going to stream an amazing one on our YouTube channel for 24 hours this Saturday a unique opportunity to watch a great Dollar Baby, authorized by the director himself. Which one? Man, one of my personal favorites: Survivor Type, directed by Billy Hanson.

Before diving into the movie itself, let me tell you about the first time I watched it and the first time I shared it with others at the Brazilian Dollar Baby Film Fest.

As a King fan, a filmmaker, and a guy who’s crazy about movies, not being able to watch Dollar Babies used to frustrate me a lot. Whenever I heard about one being screened, it was always abroad, far away from me. Back then, I only had a few chances to watch them, usually on SKSM’s YouTube channel and most of them got deleted after a while (we all know why).

Then 2020 happened. During the pandemic, we all had the chance to watch two different Dollar Baby Film Fests, and those were happy days in the middle of that damn nightmare we were living through. The last movie on the last day of the last film fest was Survivor Type. And man, what a perfect ending. This movie stayed in my mind for a long time. A King story in found‑footage style, with only one actor on screen 95% of the time and a great actor who holds your attention for almost 30 minutes without you noticing the time passing. Maaaaan, I kept thinking about this Dollar Baby for a long, long time.

Years later, when I produced my own Dollar Baby Film Fest in Brazil, this movie was at the top of my list. First, because I needed to watch it again and share it with others. Second, because as a King fan, I needed it in my personal collection. When Billy authorized me to screen it and sent me the download link… man, that was one of the greatest days of my life. At that first edition of the Brazilian festival, I also chose this Dollar Baby to close the last day. Save the best for last, right? And let me assure you: the audience really, really, really loved it. The festival took place in a bookstore that was also a café, so people were eating during the movies. But halfway through Survivor Type, people stopped eating. Hahahahaha. If you know King’s short story, you know exactly why. Cannibal vibes, baby. Watching the audience react getting more anxious as the tension rose was priceless. One guy even left the room during the most disgusting part. The next day, when I told Billy about the reactions, he was so happy. And I get it. I’d be proud too.

The Making‑Of and the Magic Behind the Scenes

Before writing this review, I reread the short story, revisited all the SKSM material, and watched the film again. But for the first time ever even with movies I love and own on DVD I watched the making‑of video. I had so many questions about how this movie was made. It’s one of those magical films that makes the filmmaker in me feel a little jealous. Not because I wish I had directed it (okay, sometimes I do feel that way), but because I wish I could have been part of Billy’s crew. They didn’t shoot this in a studio, they shot it on a damn beach. Maaaaan, they must have had so much fun. Sure, they faced the usual production problems (and more, like sunburn), but I’m convinced it was a great experience for everyone involved. Being on a film set is the most magical part of filmmaking. Even a crappy day on set is a happy day. Every filmmaker knows this.

Billy, if I ever figure out time travel, would you consider having me on your crew for this Dollar Baby? I’d hand out water bottles, hold umbrellas, whatever you need. I’d even dress up as a giant seagull if you wanted. Just let me be part of that set, man.

Screenplay, Cinematography, Direction, Acting Billy Hanson Wore All the Hats

Let’s talk about the screenplay. Billy adapted King’s words with so much respect, but also with fresh ideas and new details. Almost everything from the tale is there, but it still feels new. Honestly, one of the best‑adapted Dollar Babies ever.

The cinematography, found‑footage style, was incredibly well planned and executed. On the level of Blair Witch or Cloverfield. Good found‑footage filmmaking makes you believe what you’re seeing actually happened, and Billy nailed that. A great example: he left the autofocus on in some scenes. You see the camera searching for focus, something “real movies” avoid and it makes the footage feel authentic. If that’s not a rule of the genre, it should be. Now, Billy as the director. When someone writes, directs, shoots, and edits a film, it’s hard to keep finding new compliments, right? Hahaha.

But let’s talk about something directors don’t fully control: actors. Sometimes an actor gives such a powerful performance that the director becomes part of the audience. I’m sure that happened on Billy’s set. Gideon Emery delivered one of the best performances I’ve ever seen in a Dollar Baby. He didn’t just play Richard Pine (Pinzetti) he lived him. Casting someone who has to carry the entire film alone is not easy. Billy chose perfectly. And I’m sure that at some point he just stood there watching Gideon, forgetting he was working. Great actors do that they give the crew magical moments.

Gideon Emery, A Performance to Remember

What can I say about Gideon Emery? An actor with this level of talent deserves more opportunities in the industry. I want to see more of him. I remember watching Daredevil on Netflix and recognizing him in an episode, I was so happy for him.

His Richard Pine is incredible. It’s not easy to hold the audience’s attention the way he does in Survivor Type. He brings so much truth to the character that we almost feel bad for him. Almost. Once we get to know Richard better, that feeling fades but Gideon makes us care anyway. We see his suffering, his madness, his desperation. And we believe every second of it. Gideon, thank you so much for this performance. I hope to see you again soon.

Final Thoughts

That’s most of what I have to say about this movie most, but not everything. I could talk about the visual effects and makeup (Doug Murphy nailed it), but it’s close to lunchtime and I do want to eat today. Watching those scenes early this morning was enough for now.

If you’re curious, this Valentine’s Day is your chance to watch this masterpiece. Do yourself a favor and watch it. Just one piece of advice: if you have a weak stomach, don’t eat before or during the streaming. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.

See you next time.

Leonardo Granado, a happy Constant Reader.