James Crow is a British film director and screenwriter whose work focuses primarily on horror. He has directed six internationally released feature films, including Curse of the Witching Tree, with two more awaiting release. His films have screened at FrightFest and appeared on Netflix. Before moving into directing, he wrote genre films acquired by Lionsgate, StudioCanal and eOne.
Simon Cluett is a writer and filmmaker whose work spans horror, thriller and crime. His most recent novel, the disturbing page-turner Minotaur, was published by Bloodhound Books. He is also the author of the horror anthology Tales from the Dark Library. Cluett has directed several short films and is currently working on his third novel.
Find out more about Harbinger and other releases by Shogun Films here
21/08/2026, 19:18 - Finbarre: Welcome to Tarot DMs with Finbarre, I’m joined by director and producer James Crow and screenwriter Simon Cluett to talk about Harbinger, a new British supernatural horror built around one of the more unnerving uses of Tarot you could imagine - a sinister fairground fortune-telling machine whose cards appear to predict fatal outcomes.
This film draws on the atmosphere of old-school British horror. Tarot, fate and the mechanics of fortune-telling come together into a story where knowing what comes next may be worse than not knowing at all. Thank you both for joining me!
21/08/2026, 19:18 - Simon Cluett: Good to be here - be gentle!
21/08/2026, 19:19 - Finbarre: “Absolutely no promises” says the deck
21/08/2026, 19:19 - James Crow: Thanks for having us! Just be aware we know a killer fortune telling machine so go safe 😂
21/08/2026, 19:20 - Finbarre: While I’m shuffling the cards here and getting them thoroughly mixed up, can you give me an idea of how you two crossed paths?
21/08/2026, 19:20 - James Crow: Simon works a lot for shogun films and we’ve both worked with Jonathan a while now
21/08/2026, 19:21 - Simon Cluett: I’ve been aware of James for many years now but Harbinger is the first time we’ve properly collaborated
21/08/2026, 19:21 - James Crow: It was a good one to work on for the first time!
21/08/2026, 19:22 - Simon Cluett: For sure! Nice to see the fruits of our labour getting some good reviews!
21/08/2026, 19:23 - James Crow: I helped produce and work on some material by Simon for Doctor Plague and Knightfall before Harbinger too
21/08/2026, 19:25 - Finbarre: I have to ask, do fairgrounds creep you out? I have loved them since watching The Lost Boys back in the 80s. Did you visit any locations and feel that inner “Nope”?
21/08/2026, 19:25 - Finbarre: Yes, that’s a bonus question - I’m curious
21/08/2026, 19:26 - Simon Cluett: I haven’t been to one for many many years. I don’t scare easily… if anything I would love to have a truly X Files moment, be that at a funfair, a so called haunted house or deep in the woods.
21/08/2026, 19:27 - Simon Cluett: “I want to believe”… to quote Fox Mulder
21/08/2026, 19:27 - James Crow: I love the Lost Boys film. I feel fairgrounds have always felt more American. UK tends to have seaside attractions more. But there’s something cool about anywhere the creates childhood nostalgia. I think the innocence of fairgrounds like clowns lends itself to horror
21/08/2026, 19:28 - Simon Cluett: I’ve always enjoyed creeping my kids out with suggestions of killer clowns on the loose, living in the sewers etc
21/08/2026, 19:29 - Finbarre: Absolutely with you on the American thing, the What The Butler Saw-type machines down on Brighton’s penny arcade were a whole different kind of sinister.
21/08/2026, 19:29 - Finbarre: Right, first card time.
21/08/2026, 19:29 - Finbarre: Are you ready?
21/08/2026, 19:29 - Simon Cluett: Yep
21/08/2026, 19:29 - James Crow: Yes
21/08/2026, 19:29 - Finbarre:
21/08/2026, 19:29 - Finbarre: The card that represents tradition and the knowledge handed down by those who came before us.
21/08/2026, 19:30 - James Crow: They could be the film makers who came before us to create a retro horror
21/08/2026, 19:31 - James Crow: Harbinger has a lot of respect and traditions of classic films
21/08/2026, 19:31 - Simon Cluett: Lots of retro influences in Harbinger
21/08/2026, 19:31 - James Crow: Someone recently compared it to Creepshow which I found a massive compliment
21/08/2026, 19:31 - Finbarre: I have a confession. I have yet to see Creepshow. Yes, I know.
21/08/2026, 19:32 - Finbarre: The poster freaked me out as a kid.
21/08/2026, 19:32 - James Crow: I only saw it last year! So you are not in bad company
21/08/2026, 19:32 - Simon Cluett: And Hammer… even Doctor Who! Again, huge compliments
21/08/2026, 19:32 - James Crow: And it was nice to have Carol Ann Ford in the film too
21/08/2026, 19:33 - Finbarre: That is a name that rings a bell...
21/08/2026, 19:33 - James Crow: I think it has a nod to doctor who because it was all practical on a budget!
21/08/2026, 19:33 - Finbarre: Wait. SUSAN?
21/08/2026, 19:33 - James Crow: Yes the one and only original!
21/08/2026, 19:34 - Simon Cluett: The Unearthly Child herself
21/08/2026, 19:34 - James Crow: I hope she still gets a chance to come back. Let’s hope doctor who isn’t out to tender too long. I may put a pitch in 😂
21/08/2026, 19:36 - Finbarre: Going back to The Hierophant I have to ask - which were the rules of old-school horror you tried to preserve?
21/08/2026, 19:36 - James Crow: Practical effects was a big one
21/08/2026, 19:36 - Finbarre: Fake blood, prosthetics, that type of thing?
21/08/2026, 19:37 - James Crow: Yes. And the creepy house was a top 10 which was found. It was a great location
21/08/2026, 19:37 - James Crow: Every great horror needs a great location
21/08/2026, 19:37 - James Crow: It was fun lighting it up in the style of hammer horror
21/08/2026, 19:38 - Simon Cluett: I adapted a short story by Harry Boxley which very much played by the rules of old school horror films, especially from the 80s. Those were my informative years so playing in that sandpit was a lot of fun.
21/08/2026, 19:39 - Finbarre: Did you deliberately pick elements like high-contrast shadows, saturated colour etc or did you just picture that vibe which now must be a collective memory of how horror should be?
21/08/2026, 19:40 - Finbarre: Also, I would love to see a still of the house in question if you have any shots of it.
21/08/2026, 19:40 - James Crow: I went out of the way with Director of Photography and gave him some examples. Suspiria was one. There’s some scenes that look like classic Italian cult cinema
21/08/2026, 19:41 - Simon Cluett: Shooting in what I’m told is a genuinely haunted old Manor House helped. Lots of shadows… dust… cobwebs and creepy angles.
21/08/2026, 19:41 - Finbarre: Both the original and remake were far prettier than they needed to be, utterly gorgeous
21/08/2026, 19:47 - Finbarre: Given that you will both have a fascination with all things spooky, do either of you have a tarot deck to hand?
21/08/2026, 19:47 - Simon Cluett: I have an unopened pack
21/08/2026, 19:47 - Finbarre: I feel there is a story there. Unopened you say?
21/08/2026, 19:48 - Simon Cluett: Yes. It arrived yesterday. Just a cheap one from Amazon.
21/08/2026, 19:48 - Simon Cluett: No big spooky story I’m afraid. I wish.
21/08/2026, 19:49 - Finbarre: Not YET
21/08/2026, 19:49 - James Crow: I used to have a pack many years ago. They were eerily quite correct
21/08/2026, 19:49 - James Crow: Maybe hence I no longer have them
21/08/2026, 19:49 - James Crow: I also have two Ouija boards that haven’t been used in a while
21/08/2026, 19:49 - Finbarre: Simon if you’re happy to open your deck and draw a card for you both, I would gladly make that your question
21/08/2026, 19:50 - Simon Cluett: Sure
21/08/2026, 19:50 - Simon Cluett:
21/08/2026, 19:50 - Finbarre: Two? That could be the best first date idea I have heard of!
21/08/2026, 19:51 - Finbarre: I like the clarity of this one
21/08/2026, 19:52 - Finbarre: What are you making of this card, James?
21/08/2026, 19:52 - Simon Cluett: Don’t say “a book mark”
21/08/2026, 19:53 - James Crow: Maybe the 4 wands allude to the 4 supporting charecters who play the crew
21/08/2026, 19:53 - James Crow: The makeup artist, camera man, sound and specialist
21/08/2026, 19:54 - James Crow: The first four deaths before the bigger roles start to fall
21/08/2026, 19:55 - James Crow: We see the 4 of them for the first time gathered around a car in first scene of them
21/08/2026, 19:56 - Finbarre: Traditionally it’s less murdery and it’s a great card to have, extremely good energy and the card of celebrating good times too. One for both of you, at what point did you think WE MADE THIS!
21/08/2026, 19:57 - James Crow: For me it was when I first saw the harbinger come to life and start killing. Finally realised the film had arrived
21/08/2026, 19:58 - James Crow: Seeing it brought to life for the first time made the film become very real
21/08/2026, 19:58 - Simon Cluett: I visited the set late into the shoot, by which time most of the cast had been bumped off. It was a great experience meeting those left, and James of course. That’s when it felt real. Up until then it was lots of emails, late night writing… rewriting… and more rewriting.
21/08/2026, 20:00 - James Crow: Yes pre-production can always feel a state of flux and in some ways preparing for the moment. It’s when cameras start rolling and you see footage in the can you really feel like film has begun
21/08/2026, 20:00 - Simon Cluett: Seeing it on the big screen for the first time a couple of weeks ago was also a great experience. It played really well and the audience loved it.
21/08/2026, 20:00 - James Crow: But so much work goes into pre-production to make it happen
21/08/2026, 20:00 - James Crow: The reactions to the cinema showings have been fantastic
21/08/2026, 20:01 - James Crow: It really plays well on the big screen
21/08/2026, 20:01 - James Crow: As does the sound design
21/08/2026, 20:01 - Finbarre: What is a good reaction to a horror film out of interest?
21/08/2026, 20:01 - Simon Cluett: I remember seeing an early cut and knew we had something a bit special. That was even before sound effects, music, grading etc. That all makes a huge difference.
21/08/2026, 20:02 - James Crow: Some of the deaths get genuine repulsion. One in particular without naming spoilers! Anytime you get a reaction from an audience it’s a great feeling
21/08/2026, 20:03 - James Crow: There’s one death in particular. The first actually outside of the opening sequence. It got a great reaction
21/08/2026, 20:04 - James Crow: The death of Kathryn
21/08/2026, 20:04 - Simon Cluett: The film is also quite funny in places. It was very satisfying to hear the crowd laugh… quickly followed by much squirming and yelping.
21/08/2026, 20:04 - Finbarre: Can’t type. Laughing too much at the idea of you two fist punching the air at the yelps.
21/08/2026, 20:05 - James Crow: It has some gallows humor for sure
21/08/2026, 20:06 - Finbarre: Well, it’s funny you should say that. Your third card is coming up and this one was given to you by Boo Miller - actor, comedian and voiceover artist most recently on the Zero Parades for Dead Spies
21/08/2026, 20:06 - Finbarre: It is...
21/08/2026, 20:06 - Finbarre: Yes, it’s that one
21/08/2026, 20:06 - Finbarre:
21/08/2026, 20:07 - Simon Cluett: Noooooooooo!
21/08/2026, 20:07 - Finbarre: Sorry not sorry
21/08/2026, 20:07 - Simon Cluett: Run away!
21/08/2026, 20:07 - Finbarre: Can’t, he has a horse. It’s DEATH question time.
21/08/2026, 20:08 - James Crow: Which was the most fun death to write?
21/08/2026, 20:08 - Simon Cluett: This is where you reassure us that the Death card doesn’t actually represent death… right?
21/08/2026, 20:09 - Simon Cluett: Barney, the camera man’s death for sure lol. That one made me wince!
21/08/2026, 20:10 - Finbarre: pats You know it’s just about transformation. It’s OK. Andsometimesdeath.
21/08/2026, 20:10 - James Crow: The most fun to film was Chris with the creepy bathtub
21/08/2026, 20:10 - James Crow: We lit it like nightmare on elm street
21/08/2026, 20:10 - James Crow: This was also the day Simon was on set
21/08/2026, 20:10 - Finbarre: 70s avocado?
21/08/2026, 20:11 - Simon Cluett: Yes, to quote a song from Hamilton, I was in the room when it happened
21/08/2026, 20:12 - Finbarre: Last tarot question - how do you make the deaths in your film feel like part of the story instead of some kind of macabre tally?
21/08/2026, 20:13 - James Crow: In harbinger they were all foretold by the cards! Can’t argue with the cards
21/08/2026, 20:15 - Simon Cluett: The original short story had some big set piece deaths that were great fun but a mite too ambitious for the budget. I worked closely with Jonathon Sothcott, the producer, to scale them down, make them more grounded, and tied to story and character
21/08/2026, 20:15 - Finbarre: Did any of the deaths make you wince on set?
21/08/2026, 20:17 - James Crow: It’s hard on set to get lost in the moment because there’s so much technical involvement. You are focusing on so many different factors from a technical viewpoint
21/08/2026, 20:17 - James Crow: The camera, lighting, makeup effects, electrical (as in case of harbinger with mask and eyes). You are so busy looking at it from so many different viewpoints
21/08/2026, 20:18 - James Crow: The scenes come alive once they have the grade and music and you can enjoy knowing the technical is over!
21/08/2026, 20:19 - Simon Cluett: My experience on set was very different. By then, my job was done so I had zero of any value to add. Unlike James, I could just sit back and enjoy the carnage… and try not to get in the way.
21/08/2026, 20:19 - Finbarre: “Enjoy the carnage”
21/08/2026, 20:20 - James Crow: Film sets are always carnage!
21/08/2026, 20:21 - James Crow: It’s all about surviving with the film intact
21/08/2026, 20:22 - James Crow: If I was to ever relate the film making experience to a film I’d say it’s probably like the first two Evil Dead films but more traumatic
21/08/2026, 20:22 - Finbarre: It sounds like so much fun to have created! Simon, as you have the cards of fate in your hands there - could you draw one of them for the next guest? Bless them or condemn them with your tarot magic.
21/08/2026, 20:23 - Simon Cluett: Now I have an image in my head of James fleeing a burning building while clutching an SD card (or whatever you call those things)
21/08/2026, 20:23 - Simon Cluett: Ooh… it’s a good one
21/08/2026, 20:24 - Finbarre: Do tell
21/08/2026, 20:24 - Simon Cluett:
21/08/2026, 20:24 - James Crow: A great card
21/08/2026, 20:24 - Finbarre: Odin’s card! One that delves into uncomfortable truths - great choice there.
21/08/2026, 20:24 - James Crow: This is why I rarely play with tarot cards, Ouija boards or old creepy fortune telling machines!
21/08/2026, 20:25 - Simon Cluett: Meanwhile I laugh in the face of danger… drop ice cubes down the collar of fear
21/08/2026, 20:25 - Simon Cluett: I think that’s from Blackaddder. Probably misquoting, horribly
21/08/2026, 20:27 - Simon Cluett: I’m sitting in a chalk pentagram as I type
21/08/2026, 20:27 - James Crow: Was it the first blackadder series? A greatly misunderstood masterpiece. I loved the witchfinder episode
21/08/2026, 20:27 - James Crow: It’s how I sleep
21/08/2026, 20:28 - Finbarre: Thank you so much chaps for appearing on Tarot DMs today, hope the cards weren’t too fierce.
21/08/2026, 20:28 - James Crow: Thanks for having us
21/08/2026, 20:28 - Simon Cluett: It was a pleasure!
21/08/2026, 20:29 - Simon Cluett: Ditto
21/08/2026, 20:29 - James Crow: You should go visit the harbinger now and take a card! Your turn
21/08/2026, 20:29 - Finbarre: Gosh no, those things are dangerous
21/08/2026, 20:29 - Simon Cluett: No, not at all. Apart from the whole DEATH thing.
21/08/2026, 20:30 - Simon Cluett:
21/08/2026, 20:30 - James Crow: He’s misunderstood that Harbinger! Just trying to have some fun
21/08/2026, 20:35 - Finbarre: My thanks to James and Simon for joining me for this Tarot DMs and for allowing the cards into the world of Harbinger.
There is something satisfying about using Tarot to interview the people behind a film in which Tarot itself becomes the source of suspense and good old fashioned horror.
Harbinger is directed by James Crow, written by Simon Cluett from a story by Harry Boxley, and produced by Jonathan Sothcott.
Until the next draw!