In the chilling new horror film Don’t Answer, now streaming on Prime Video, a simple system glitch unleashes a nightmare: an institutionalized killer is reassigned as a delivery driver in a quiet small town, turning everyday package drops into deadly encounters. Directed by Mark S. Allen and written by Allen and Howard Burd, the film blends classic slasher tension with a timely twist on modern conveniences, delivering suspense, practical effects, and plenty of bloody thrills.
AMFM Magazine sat down with the film’s leads, Annabel Storm (who plays Molly) and Jack Amsler (who embodies the menacing Jack), in an exclusive interview with Paul Salfen. The duo opened up about the joys of filming, their inspirations, and why this project felt like a fresh take on the horror genre.
The excitement was palpable from the start. “We’re so excited to have you both on,” Salfen noted, crediting Marcus Allen for the connection. The stars agreed that Don’t Answer taps into a brand-new fear: “It’s a super modern take on the horror genre with something that is a totally new technology that we’re using,” one shared. “Every day here that’s been unlocked for us for sure.”
Despite the dark material, the set was anything but grim. Both actors emphasized the fun atmosphere. “People sometimes think that as the killer, you’re not having a good time,” Jack explained. “But this was so much fun to make.” Annabel echoed the sentiment: “Once we called cut, I could take a breath. But in the moment, he’s really good.” They recalled a standout physical scene early in production where they leaned into the chaos: “The house was a mess… we got to look around and be like, this is so ridiculous and fun. We’re so lucky.”
Practical effects and real stunts added to the energy. Jack mentioned improvising throws between takes—until the safety team stepped in—while Annabel highlighted how the physicality built trust and joy. “It was really important for us to also be friends when cut was called,” she said. “The downtime felt that way… when they called action, we could just sink into that moment.”
Director Mark S. Allen’s influence loomed large. The stars praised his wisdom and passion for movies. Annabel shared stories from Mark about kindness in the industry: “The reminder to just be kind and that those are the ones that stick around… was like the biggest takeaway.” Jack noted Mark’s fun-loving approach: “He comes to set with that mindset of let’s have fun and let’s make it an awesome movie.”
Both actors reflected on their paths into acting. Annabel credited a college screening of Scream—particularly Drew Barrymore’s iconic opening—as a pivotal moment: “The character development… the ending was so memorable… it’s all coming together.” Jack spoke of a lifelong fascination with performance and audience reactions.
Their advice to aspiring actors? Stay true to yourself. “Be truthful to who you are and you’ll find projects that align with your moral compass,” Annabel advised, drawing from early guidance. Jack added that authenticity landed him the role: “If I tried to play it the way that they originally had it, then I wouldn’t have had the role.”
When asked about “Hail Mary” moments, Annabel recounted dropping out of college plans for law school during COVID to pursue acting: “I decided I didn’t want to live my life in fear.” Jack described the industry as constant commitment: “Every day it’s just trying to throw out Hail Marys and see what happens.”
Looking ahead, Annabel teased her 2026 project 60 Dates in Six Months with a Broken Neck, based on a memoir, where she plays the daughter opposite Caitlin Chesna. Jack shared his shift toward producing and directing, including a recent short film, and openness to new genres—despite hometown calls for rom-coms after one scary role.
Don’t Answer proves horror can still surprise, especially when everyday life turns terrifying. As the stars put it, no need to worry about deliveries—just stream it safely from home. “We really appreciate your time,” they told Salfen. “Check this out!”
Catch Don’t Answer on Prime Video now, and keep an eye on Annabel Storm and Jack Amsler—their careers are just getting started.
