‘The X-Files’ Meets ‘True Detective’ in Deborah Ann Woll’s New Shudder Horror Thriller
Summary
- Collider’s Steven Weintraub talks with The Cycle‘s Jordan Downey and Deborah Ann Woll at SDCC 2026.
- The duo discuss filming on a budget in Astoria, Oregon, their sci-fi and horror influences, and practical effects.
- Woll also teases Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 and Downey shares details on his next sci-fi thriller, Override.
Daredevil: Born Again and God of War: Laufey star Deborah Ann Woll is a favorite among genre fans, from Marvel mayhem to commanding a D&D campaign. Now, she’s returning to the horror genre on Shudder this October in Jordan Downey’s (V/H/S/Beyond) The Cycle, where she plays forensic anthropologist Meg, who discovers that the recently found body of a 36-year-old missing person’s case is her estranged father.
Speaking with Collider’s Steven Weintraub at San Diego Comic-Con, Downey and Woll share new details on their upcoming horror thriller, including the classic TV shows that inspired Downey and co-writer Kevin Stewart’s (V/H/S/Beyond) script, setting up production in Astoria, Oregon, where The Goonies filmed, and capturing their gloomy coastal aesthetic through practical effects on a budget.
Don’t miss the full conversation in the video above, with time codes below, for more on The Cycle, plus Woll teases her dream D&D campaign and reuniting with her Daredevil: Born Again co-stars for Season 3. Downey also shares exciting new information on his and Stewart’s next sci-fi thriller, Override, starring Maria Bakalova and Frank Grillo.
- 00:25 – The Cycle’s Jordan Downey and Deborah Ann Woll celebrate Comic-Con, collectibles, and answer fun questions about themselves!
- 03:38 – Woll teases reuniting with friends in Daredevil: Born Again Season 3.
- 04:14 – Downey reflects on interning at Wes Craven’s production company.
- 05:00 – The Cycle takes inspiration from X-Files, True Detective, and more.
- 06:02 – Woll shares why she was ready to jump from Marvel to horror.
- 07:44 – The duo share the biggest challenge making The Cycle on a limited budget and schedule.
- 08:55 – The Cycle opts for practical effects for the film’s horror and fantasy.
- 09:50 – Downey on working with Kevin Stewart to develop the film’s visual style.
- 10:56 – These films and influences shaped The Cycle’s visual aesthetic.
- 11:52 – The pair discuss filming in Astoria, Oregon, where The Goonies shot.
- 13:57 – Woll turns The Cycle into her dream TTRPG campaign.
- 15:04 – Downey on how The Cycle’s tone differs from his previous films.
- 16:13 – Downey reveals new details about his next film, Override.
The Cycle begins streaming on Shudder on October 23.
- Release Date
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October 23, 2026
- Director
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Jordan Downey
- Writers
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Kevin Stewart, Jordan Downey

Image via SDCC
Image via SDCC
Image via SDCC



