Director and Co-Writer Kerry Bellessa talks about every parents worst fear in his new Thriller, ‘Amber Alert‘ from Lionsgate.
‘Amber Alert‘ follows Jaq (Hayden Panettiere) and Shane (Tyler James Williams), who become embroiled in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse after receiving an Amber Alert. As they realize they’re trailing a car matching the description of a kidnapper’s vehicle, the tension escalates, forcing them to confront their instincts and moral dilemmas.
In our recent conversation with Kerry Bellessa, the co-writer and director of ‘Amber Alert‘, we explored the chilling theme of child abduction—an unsettling reality that resonates deeply with parents everywhere. Bellessa shared the inspiration behind the film, recounting a drive he took with his wife, Summer, between Los Angeles and Phoenix. During that trip, they encountered an Amber Alert sign on the freeway, which sparked a moment of intense reflection for both of them. Bellessa admitted that when he saw the alert, he briefly thought he might have spotted a vehicle matching the description. This led to an imaginative discussion about the hypothetical choices one might face in such a dire situation.
Bellessa’s initial instincts leaned toward a dramatic response, fantasizing about physically intervening by forcing the car off the road. In contrast, Summer argued for a more cautious approach—calling the police and tracking the car from a safe distance. Their differing viewpoints highlighted a core theme of the film: the complexities and risks involved in becoming an everyday hero. It prompted Bellessa to think deeply about what individuals are willing to sacrifice for a child in peril and how far they would go to help a stranger.
What makes ‘Amber Alert‘ even more intriguing is that Kerry chose to remake his original film over a decade later. He explained that while the landscape of filmmaking has changed, the fear surrounding child abduction remains a timeless concern for parents. This urgency to revisit the topic gave the project a renewed sense of purpose. Lionsgate’s enthusiastic support for the film was instrumental, allowing Bellessa to bring his vision to life in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences.
Ultimately, ‘Amber Alert‘ is not just a thriller; it’s a deep exploration of human courage, the ethical implications of intervention, and the responsibilities we hold as bystanders. The film raises compelling questions about our choices in moments of crisis and challenges viewers to consider how they would act if they found themselves in a similar situation.
‘Amber Alert‘ is in select theaters and on demand, Friday, September 27, 2024.
