Filmmaker Jamie Alvey has spent much of her life navigating the terrain of trauma and healing, both in her personal journey and in her creative work. The culmination of her efforts is her 2023 horror film Bystanders, which she describes as an exploration of PTSD and the systems that enable toxic masculinity and sexual violence. The film has garnered critical acclaim and a growing fan base, sparking conversations around the issues it addresses.
Alvey’s passion for horror began in childhood, nurtured by a horror-loving mother and a cinephile father. As a teenager, Alvey retreated into her own writing and storytelling, crafting short stories inspired by the darker corners of the human experience. It was during these formative years that Alvey found her voice as a writer, and her love for horror cemented itself as a natural extension of her artistic identity.
Bystanders began as a script in 2017, born from Alvey’s experiences. The story follows Clare, played by Alvey herself, and her partner Gray (Garrett Murphy), who become entangled in the horrific aftermath of a party where a group of frat boys drug and assault young girls. What follows is a night of chaos and bloodshed as the trio, including Abby (Brandi Botkin), a teen girl victimized by the assault, form an unlikely alliance.
Alvey said the film explores heavy themes with unflinching honesty, contrasting the harmful toxicity of the frat boys with the healthy masculinity embodied by Gray. Alvey’s own journey with PTSD deeply informs her characters, particularly Clare and Gray, who navigate the complexities of trauma, healing, and self-identity.
“I explored a lot of how PTSD had changed my life and my relationship to life itself and other people,” she said. “Once PTSD has really set in, it colors your interactions, your thoughts, your everything. You have to navigate the person you are post-trauma. If you’re re-traumatized you have to do it over again. It’s some of the most painful scar tissue there is and it’s often not even physical. I had Clare and Gray to help me work my way through a lot of my own issues.”
The journey to bring Bystanders to life was long and challenging. Alvey, who had written and revised the screenplay over the course of several years, was determined to see her vision realized. After years of preparation, filming began in July 2023, with Alvey not only starring in the lead role but also taking on many behind-the-scenes responsibilities to ensure that the story came to life as she envisioned it.”
“It was overwhelming and a lot of sensory overload all at once,” Alvey admitted. “But my God, there is such joy in it. You learn a lot about yourself and your love for the craft, and what you created deepens.”
The film’s success, both critically and creatively, has been a source of immense pride for Alvey, who calls Bystanders “one of the greatest loves of her life.”
The reception of Bystanders has exceeded Alvey’s expectations, with the film earning accolades and making the rounds at various film festivals. Notably, Bystanders received multiple nominations and awards, including Best Supporting Actor at HorrorHound for Garrett Murphy’s portrayal of Gray. Alvey won a writing award and was nominated for Best Lead Performance, cinematographer Chance Madison won Best Cinematography, and editor Barry Rowen won Best Editing at the same festival. Director Mary Beth McAndrews has earned numerous directing nominations and wins for her work on the film, including recognition at Nightmares Film Festival and HorrorHound. These awards underscore the film’s powerful impact both artistically and thematically.
The audience response has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly in how the film has opened discussions on rape, trauma, and the societal systems that perpetuate violence.
“It’s been a lot more positive than I expected,” Alvey reflected. “It’s been touching people from lots of different demographics and backgrounds.”
The film’s success has propelled Alvey into the next phase of her career. In 2023, she co-founded Love and Horror Productions, a company dedicated to helping college students turn their screenwriting dreams into reality. Through this initiative, Alvey has provided opportunities for students at Brescia University to not only write screenplays but also to experience the collaborative process of filmmaking.
As a professor of English and writing, Alvey is committed to sharing her knowledge and encouraging students to pursue their creative passions.
Looking ahead, Alvey is not slowing down. She is currently working on a new short film titled Your Husband Was a Good Man, which explores themes of grief, depression, and trauma. The short has already found success on the film festival circuit, and Alvey plans to expand it into a feature-length project. In addition, Alvey is working on a feature screenplay titled Housewife and continues to develop new projects through Love and Horror Productions.
