As a Diné filmmaker and medicine person from Northern Arizona, I was raised understanding that words carry power. In our teachings, words are prayers, promises, and invitations. They can heal, but they can also open doors that should never be touched lightly. That belief became the foundation of this film.

At its core, They Wait is a story about grief, rage, and consequence. A desperate grandfather seeks spiritual vengeance without understanding the forces he is calling upon. The horror comes not only from violence or the supernatural, but from the collision between human emotion and ancient powers that exist beyond human understanding. Through this film, I wanted to create horror from an Indigenous worldview while challenging the stereotypes and shallow portrayals of Native spirituality often seen in mainstream media.

Visually and emotionally, I wanted the film to feel intimate, oppressive, and spiritually dangerous. Every frame, silence, and performance was crafted to carry weight. Creating They Wait became both a personal and artistic reflection of my journey as a filmmaker, blending my education at the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television with the teachings and stories I was raised with. Ultimately, the film is a warning about the permanence of spoken words and the unseen forces that continue to listen long after they are spoken.

Words are prayers. Choose carefully.