Love, Loss, and the Occult: Inside Anything for Jackson

On this episode of Center Stage, I’m joined by director Justin Dyck and writer Keith Cooper to talk about their chilling and unexpectedly emotional film Anything for Jackson. Known for their work in lighter genres, the duo takes a bold leap into horror with this unique story—a grieving elderly couple, desperate to bring back their deceased grandson, turn to dark forces in a ritual gone terribly wrong. What begins as a supernatural thriller quickly reveals itself to be a layered tale of grief, guilt, and the terrifying lengths people will go for love. In our conversation, Justin and Keith share how they crafted a film that blends genuine scares with unexpected heart, subverting horror tropes while staying true to the emotional core of the story. If you're looking for a film—and a conversation—that goes beyond jump scares into something truly unsettling and deeply human, this is it.F