Local director ‘carves’ up horror film scene

Justyne Edgell

It may still be a week away from Halloween, but everyday is a spooky one for local resident, and horror film director, Justin Harding. And he’s just released his latest offering, Carved, in time for the scariest night of the year.

Harding grew up on the border of Markham and Stouffville and began making movies as a teenager when he attended the Arts York program at Unionville High School. “During those years, I wrote and directed countless films with my friends, shooting in our backyards and around the neighbourhood. That DIY, grassroots approach to filmmaking fuelled my creativity and laid the foundation for everything I’ve done since,” says Harding

Harding’s career kick started when he created and directed an entire comedy series over 20 years ago. This project opened the doors to a Canadian television career, producing major shows like The Amazing Race Canada, MasterChef Canada, and Netflix’s Restaurants on the Edge, for which he served as showrunner and director.

While working in television, Harding says his passion for horror never waned. “Alongside my television work, I wrote and directed a series of horror films that caught the attention of genre legend Eli Roth. Roth invited me to write and direct for two of his HBO Max series’, The Haunted Museum and Urban Legend.”

Later, Roth hired Harding as the 2nd unit director for his slasher hit Thanksgiving, which was filmed in Port Perry, close to where Harding grew up. “This collaboration was a dream come true for any horror fan,” says Harding.

Carved is a horror-comedy about a heartbroken teenage playwright, her younger brother, and a disparate group of survivors who become trapped in a historical reenactment village on Halloween night, and must band together to survive a relentless assault by a sentient and vengeful pumpkin.

In 2018, a five-minute short version of Carved was chosen as the sole Canadian entry in the inaugural "Huluween Film Fest" competition. Competing against filmmakers from around the world, Carved won the $10,000 grand prize and secured a development deal for a feature-length version.

Harding, centre, with his family - Bowen, Miles and wife Alana. Submitted photo

After years of refining the script and contending with delays caused by the pandemic and Hollywood strikes, Harding says they finally entered production in April 2024.

“We filmed at the historic 2,800-acre Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, which provided a surreal backdrop for our crew and cast. Living in the village felt like summer camp - except we faced violent storms and even a tornado! Despite the chaos, the experience of bringing Carved to life was unforgettable.”

Harding says the goal with Carved was to create a Halloween classic with a nostalgic, vintage feel, harkening back to the films of the 80s and 90s that he loved as a kid, films like Tremors, Gremlins, Aliens, Evil Dead, and The Thing.

“To capture that old-school charm, we employed practical effects, including puppetry, reverse photography, and simple mechanical animatronics. Since the film is set in the 90s, I wanted the filmmaking techniques to reflect that era,” says Harding. “The pumpkin at the heart of the story is essentially a puppet, and bringing it to life with these classic methods was both challenging and a creative thrill.”

As Carved is about a killer pumpkin, Harding says they leaned into the comedic elements, casting iconic actors from the 90s like Chris Elliott and DJ Qualls. “Leading the charge is Disney’s Peyton Elizabeth Lee, alongside Corey Fogelmanis. Their performances balance the horror with humour, giving the film a fun, adventurous spirit that will resonate with audiences of all ages.”

Four years ago, Harding relocated his family to Uxbridge, a town he’s says he’s always loved. “Living here allows me to raise my two sons, Bowen and Miles, in a more grounded, picturesque environment. While many filmmakers move to Hollywood, I chose staying close to my roots in Uxbridge because it offers a beautiful, charming place to call home, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to continue developing creative stories for audiences worldwide.”

Harding hopes that Carved inspires the next generation of filmmakers in Uxbridge and beyond. “If a kid growing up around here, filming in their backyard with friends, can eventually make Hollywood films, so can anyone else who’s passionate about storytelling and willing to try.”

While it may be a bit too intense for very young children, Harding says Carved is an ideal Halloween ride for kids 12 and up, as well as adults who “crave that nostalgic, fun-filled horror experience.”

Carved is a Hulu original playing now on Disney+ in 105 countries and available in 40 languages worldwide including Canada.