'The X-Files' Meets 'True Detective' in Deborah Ann Woll's Modern Shudder Horror Thriller

Summary Collide

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 novel 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 electrifying novel information on his and Stewart’s next sci-fi thriller, Override, starring Maria Bakalova and Frank Grillo.

Image via SDCC
Image via SDCC
Image via SDCC

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 narrow 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 novel details about his next film, Override.