Matt Halsall Talks Inspirations, Korean Cinema, and Building the World of Idols

I had the opportunity to chat with British filmmaker Matt Halsall following the world premiere of his latest horror short, Idols, at the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival.

During our conversation, Halsall reflected on his journey establishing himself as a filmmaker in South Korea, the creative influences behind the film, and how Korean cinema helped shape Idols’ striking visual identity. He also discussed the process of crafting the film’s unsettling doppelgänger story, developing its memorable characters, and his plans to expand the short into a feature-length horror film.

Starring rising South Korean actress Hojo Shin (Netflix’s “XO, Kitty”), IDOLS is a tense and visceral doppelgänger thriller that explores obsession, identity, and the brutal cost of fame. Blending psychological intensity with sharp social commentary, the film follows Kim Min-ha, a failed idol trainee who bears an uncanny resemblance to Korea’s biggest superstar, Park Hye-mi. At the center of the film is a dual performance by rising star Hojo Shin, who plays both Min-ha and Hye-mi, embodying two women on opposite sides of fame. 

Read Idols Review here:

Fantasia’26 – Matt Halsall’s Idols Examines Fame, Identity, and Obsession