In this illuminating Q&A, emerging auteur Christopher Folkens steps into the spotlight as a bold new visionary in filmmaking. With his groundbreaking sci-fi thriller Catalyst, Folkens not only redefines genre conventions but also delves deep into the societal fissures that shape our world. Drawing on personal experiences and the turbulent socio-political landscape of our times, he crafts narratives that challenge audiences to confront uncomfortable truths. Through our candid discussion, Folkens reveals how his journey—from funding his own independent projects to harnessing the raw energy of improvisation—has shaped his art and his personal evolution as a storyteller.
Catalyst is a very intense sci-fi thriller with profound and timely social commentary. Where did you draw your inspiration for the film, and what message do you hope audiences take away?
A decade ago, I saw our nation’s growing division, and a friend’s trauma from the abuse he endured at the hands of a Catholic priest fueled my desire to explore how personal suffering ultimately creates societal wounds.
The idea of masks and walls people build to protect themselves but end up perpetuating pain became central. It had me start thinking about the prison we all construct within our own minds and where that leads us collectively as a civilization. Catalyst reflects this by allowing viewers to experience a journey of transformation as they watch the film and work to unfold the mystery along with the characters.
I wanted to create a thriller that actually means something and creates an impact more than purely thrills or excitement. The ultimate goal is for audiences to step into others’ shoes and engage in uncomfortable yet necessary conversations. Based on the feedback we’ve been hearing, it seems we’ve delivered on that intention!
In the film, seven strangers go head-to-head but in a very profound way. What themes did you want to explore?
Yeah, I wanted to turn the contained psychological thriller genre on its head.
Themes of acceptance, forgiveness, catharsis, and trauma healing are key. The film also explores the consequences of dehumanizing others—if viewers question their impulses to do so, that’s a step toward change. There’s also a David vs. Goliath element, with our lead character, Alek, fighting for change in a room full of hardened criminals.
But don’t get me wrong, there isn’t necessarily a “roses and unicorns” style ending. Life is complicated, and the story needed to reflect that.
How else does Catalyst challenge traditional genre expectations, and why was that important for you?
Catalyst doesn’t follow the usual rules of your typical contained thriller. Instead, it blends genres and takes unexpected turns, much like life. The goal was to create something that felt fresh and unpredictable, not bound by the standard “contained thriller” formula.
The film blends grounded science fiction, psychological thriller, heavy character drama, and all in this slick cyberpunk package.
Courtesy of Catalyst Motion Picture, LLC
Speaking of defying genre expectations, you’ve mentioned the film is a twisted reimagining of parts of 12 Angry Men. Tell us more about that!
The division, ego, and victimhood in today’s socio-political climate mirror what’s seen in 12 Angry Men, just in the context of a much larger scale. One character in that story stands out to catalyze change, much like what we need in the world now: people willing to be a distinction in the drift of humanity, choosing radical compassion and forgiveness.
Catalyst leans into this idea to critique collective conditioning and show the consequences if we don’t change our patterns. Unlike 12 Angry Men, though, there are life-and-death stakes for these characters because the darkness we face in our world has life-and-death stakes as well.
What were some of the obstacles you faced as a sort of “maverick” filmmaker?
Funding the film primarily myself in order to maintain creative autonomy was difficult but necessary. We filmed in phases to stay true to the vision, avoiding the commercial pressures that could have distorted this particular story. This ironically mirrored our lead character, Alek, ’s journey of standing out and going against the grain.
We also faced a pandemic, multiple workforce strikes (SAG, etc), protests, and riots, and at every turn, we worked to redirect every obstacle into an opportunity to create a better and stronger film.
Photo Cred: Jason Tracy
You’ve curated a stellar cast of powerhouse performers. What initially drew you to work with these actors?
I wanted actors who could thrive in structured improvisation. In several cases, I also wanted actors who could draw from real life experiences similar to the characters they were playing in order to add an even greater heightened sense of reality in the room. That would really ramp up the tension for the rest of the players in the room.
The structured improvisation process required quick thinking as well as deep authenticity and vulnerability. It required incredibly brave actors willing to step into the unknown. I turned to David Bianchi–who was one of the actors I tapped to be in my initial Catalyst improvised experiment back in 2015–because I knew he was connected to a wide array of talent that could deliver in such a pressure cooker environment and he quickly became one of my co-producers and co-story writers as well.
What we created on that improv day was nothing short of magic.
I also knew that I wanted to focus the energy in the room around these seven men and ultimately balance the cacophony of intensely belligerent male energy with an enormously powerful and almost hauntingly quiet feminine enigma who we called “The Architect.”
Melanie Liburd, who we cast to play that enigma of a role, truly balanced the toxic masculinity in the film with her strong, mysterious character. All the actors delivered extremely memorable performances, contributing to the film’s dynamic energy. Critics and audiences alike both agree!
What unexpected insight did you gain from the process of making Catalyst?
I think the biggest surprise for me was realizing how much of my own personal growth mirrored the film’s journey. As I worked through the themes of forgiveness, healing, and breaking free from patterns, I found myself evolving right alongside the film. It was a reminder that art, especially a film like this, isn’t just something you make—it’s something that shapes you. There’s a vulnerability that comes with telling a story like this, and I learned to embrace it in ways I hadn’t expected.
I would say that trusting the process of life is a huge takeaway. Let’s face it, this film took nearly a decade from concept to distribution around the world. It was such a test of resilience, faith, and the willingness to “do whatever it takes” that I know we are all stronger as a result of it!
The title Catalyst seems to comment on change, so in what ways do you want Catalyst to spark change in those who see it?
I hope the film sparks reflection. It’s not just about watching a story unfold—it’s about considering our own relationships with pain, anger, and division. I want viewers to walk away asking themselves how they engage with others, especially those they disagree with. Can we listen, really listen, and find compassion instead of staying locked in our own echo chambers? If people leave Catalyst thinking a little differently about their own actions and how they can affect the world, we’ve actually moved the needle. If people continue to spread the word and the film continues to create a ripple effect, that needle moves even further.
Photo Cred: Darrin Van Gorder
Having won multiple awards, how does it feel to witness your passion project being so widely acknowledged?
The recognition is incredible, but what moves me most is hearing how deeply the film resonates with people on emotional and spiritual levels. It means the vision I had for this movie is coming to life, and that’s magical.
What is even more gratifying than the awards recognition, I love hearing from people who’ve watched the movie, then reach out to me just to share how excited they are to re-watch this with the rest of their family. I even ran into someone on a flight back to Los Angeles who went out of her way to stop me just to tell me her son had done just that. She was so excited and wanted to talk with me about the ending! That’s just wild!
Mistakes beginning actors make while acting(Opens in a new browser tab)
What sort of projects do you have your eye on to direct next?
I have several exciting projects in development, including a psychological thriller, an espionage heist, and adaptations of real-life stories. Each project excites me in different ways, and I can’t wait to bring them all to life. I’m also excited to see what other opportunities come my way and are definitely keen to direct stories that move society forward.
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