{{short description|Horror comedy anthology film directed by Kevin Smith}} {{distinguish|Kilroy was here}} {{lead too short|date=May 2024}} {{Use American English|date=July 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox film |name=KillRoy Was Here |image=Killroy Was Here Poster.png |caption=Official teaser poster |director=Kevin Smith |writer={{Plainlist| *Kevin Smith *Andrew McElfresh }} |producer={{Plainlist| *Nick Morgulis }} |starring={{Plainlist| *Azita Ghanizada *Ryan O'Nan *Harley Quinn Smith *Chris Jericho *Justin Kucsulain *Jason Mewes *Ralph Garman }} |cinematography=Brandon D. Hyde |editing=Brian Chamberlain |music=Simon Taufique |studio={{Plainlist| *SModcast Pictures *Semkor Productions *View Askew Productions<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-703691|title=New film 'Killroy Was Here' to be distributed as NFT by director Kevin Smith|website=The Jerusalem Post|date=April 9, 2022|last=Zaig|first=Gadi}}</ref> }} |distributor=Legendao |released={{Film date|2022|07|12}} |runtime=63 minutes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://the-numbers.com/movie/Killroy-Was-Here-(2022)#tab=summary |title='KillRoy Was Here' (2022) |website=The Numbers |access-date=November 25, 2023}}</ref> |country=United States |language=English |budget=Less than $1 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/kevin-smith-killroy-was-here-movie-nft|title=Filmmaker Kevin Smith to release 'Killroy Was Here' movie as NFT|first=Jessica|last=Napoli|website=Fox Business|date=April 22, 2021|access-date=December 10, 2021}}</ref> |gross= }}
'''''KillRoy Was Here''''' is a 2022 American comedy horror anthology film<ref name="KWH">{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/2018/01/03/kevin-smith-kilroy-was-here-set-photo/|title=Kevin Smith Shares Photo From Set of His New Movie|website=ComicBook.com|last=Drum|first=Nicole|date=January 2, 2018|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> directed by Kevin Smith, who co-wrote it with Andrew McElfresh. The film stars Azita Ghanizada, Ryan O'Nan, Harley Quinn Smith, Chris Jericho, Justin Kucsulain, Jason Mewes, and Ralph Garman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/kevin-smith-upcoming-movies/|title=Upcoming Kevin Smith Movies|website=Screen Rant|first=Q.V.|last=Hough|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=October 27, 2019|archive-date=October 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027012628/https://screenrant.com/kevin-smith-upcoming-movies/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Principal photography began in June 2017 and ended in October 2018, occurring in Sarasota and Longboat Key, Florida.
''KillRoy Was Here'' was released as 5,555 exclusive, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on July 12, 2022, on the NFT minting platform Legendao. It is the first feature film to be released as an NFT.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/04/kevin-smith-killroy-was-here-nft-release-1234714555/|title=Kevin Smith's 'KillRoy Was Here' Will Be Exclusively Available to 1,000 NFT Holders (with a total supply of 5,555. Remaining editions in treasury)|website=IndieWire|first=Chris|last=Lindahl|date=April 6, 2022|access-date=April 14, 2022}}</ref>
==Plot== The film is a comedy horror anthology centred around the phenomenon of the "Kilroy was here" graffiti.<ref name="KWH"/>
In the frame story, a teenage babysitter tries to scare a child by telling her legends involving Killroy, and to never ever say his name three times.
In the first story, a mother poisons her daughter for years in order to pull off a charity scam, talking to the news and churches in order to get donations. The daughter, confused about what's happening with her, looks up the plant used in the tea her mother makes and discovers that it is poisonous. At a church meeting where her mother is raising funds, the daughter reveals the truth to everyone and kills herself in the name of Killroy, who then appears and kills everyone in the building.
In the second story, a teacher attempts to put on a play at an elementary school. One of the children tells her that another performer keeps trying to summon Killroy. The teacher looks more into the legend and learns that Killroy is used by parents in the town to scare their children into behaving. She sneaks into the school to investigate further, uncovering hundreds of drawings and stories about Killroy, spiralling into insanity. It's revealed to be a prank set up by the Janitor in order to scare her. However once a year, students disappear and, in order to save themselves, other students make a deal with Killroy to trick an adult into summoning him so he can claim a sacrifice. Killroy appears suddenly, killing the teacher and becoming more powerful.
In the third story, a priest takes children on a road trip to a camp site, but things take a turn when the children catch him smoking weed while driving, and a gas station cashier warns the boys that if anything bad happens, to summon Killroy. Making a different turn than the one to the campsite, the priest and children arrive at a motel. The priest is actually part of a pedophilia ring that takes immigrant children with parents in legal limbo, and sells them. The boys summon Killroy when the priest starts to attack, who quickly kills the priest.
In the final story, presented as a found footage film, a southern live-streamer lures gay men for sex, then shames them on camera, insulting and attacking them while viewers laugh. After being shamed on a live-stream, one victim commits suicide and the streamer holds a celebration stream for it, showing no remorse. Later, the streamer is kidnapped and tied to a tree. It's revealed that the victim's wife found the stream and wants revenge by feeding him to alligators, but before his death the streamer summons Killroy. Killroy appears and ties the wife to the same tree, killing her as well.
Returning to the frame story, the babysitter finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her, so she tricks the child into thinking he's Killroy and killing him. When the child realises, she summons Killroy for real, who then kills the babysitter. The child takes Killroy's hand and he leads her into the nearby dark forest, their fate unknown.
==Cast== {{cast listing| *Azita Ghanizada as Sarah *Ryan O'Nan as Tom *Harley Quinn Smith as Wendy *Chris Jericho as The Gator Chaser<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/killroy-was-here-movie-cast-chris-jericho-wwe/|title=WWE Superstar Chris Jericho Joins Kevin Smith's 'Killroy Was Here'|website=MovieWeb|last=Burwick|first=Kevin|date=August 16, 2018|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/jay-and-silent-bob-reboot-chris-jericho-cameo/|title=WWE Superstar Chris Jericho Bodyslams the Set of 'Jay & Silent Bob Reboot'|website=MovieWeb|last=Burwick|first=Kevin|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> *Justin Kucsulain as KillRoy:<ref name="KillroyCast"/><br />Special makeup effects designer Robert Kurtzman described the titular character as a "long-nosed monster".<ref name="Kurtzman">{{cite web|url=https://indiemacuser.co.uk/2020/07/13/kevin-smith-previewing-new-horror-film-killroy-was-here-and-more-in-virtual-comic-con-panel/|title=Kevin Smith previewing new Horror film 'Killroy was Here' and more in Virtual Comic Con panel|website=Indie Mac User|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref> *Jason Mewes *Ralph Garman as Priest *Kathryn Parks *Brendan Ragen *Michael Perez *Cindy De La Cruz }}
==Production== ===Development=== In April 2014, Kevin Smith announced the Christmas-themed horror movie ''Anti-Claus'', with a script based on the episode ''The Christmas Special'' of his ''Edumacation'' podcast.<ref name="Anti-Claus"/> The script was co-written by his ''Edumacation'' co-host Andrew McElfresh, marking it the first script Smith collaborated on with another writer. Filming was initially scheduled for September 2014, with ''Tusk'' (2014) actors Justin Long, Michael Parks, and Haley Joel Osment returning as cast.<ref name="Anti-Claus">{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/kevin-smith-casts-tusk-stars-christmas-themed-horror-movie-anti-claus/|title=Kevin Smith Casts 'Tusk' Stars in Christmas-Themed Horror Movie 'Anti-Claus'|website=TheWrap|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=April 28, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> The movie centered around the European folklore figure Krampus, a devil-esque creature who punishes naughty children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/anti-claus/30286/kevin-smith-to-make-christmas-horror-film-anti-claus|title=Kevin Smith to make Christmas horror film, 'Anti-Claus'|website=Den of Geek|publisher=Dennis Publishing|last=Brew|first=Simon|date=April 29, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716215322/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/anti-claus/30286/kevin-smith-to-make-christmas-horror-film-anti-claus|url-status=dead}}</ref>
''Anti-Claus'' was eventually cancelled after the release of ''Krampus'' (2015) due to the similar story, and the movie was retooled to become ''KillRoy Was Here'', based on the graffiti phenomenon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2017/06/kevin-smiths-krampus-film-is-now-an-anthology-called-killroy-was-here-production-now-underway/|title=Kevin Smith's 'Krampus' film is now an anthology called 'Killroy Was Here', production now underway|website=Consequence of Sound|publisher=Consequence Holdings, LLC|last=Suzanne-Mayer|first=Dominick|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/clerks-3-story-details-kevin-smith-heart-attack/|title='Clerks III' Story Is Inspired by Kevin Smith's Real-Life Heart Attack|website=Screen Rant|last=Hough|first=Q.V.|date=October 9, 2019|access-date=October 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/kevin-smith-horror-anthology-killroy-was-here/|title=Kevin Smith's 'Comes the Krampus' Is Now the Horror Anthology 'Killroy Was Here'|website=Collider|last=Goldberg|first=Matt|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/kevin-smith-s-new-horror-anthology-kilroy-was-here-begins-shooting-322|title=Kevin Smith's New Horror Anthology 'Killroy Was Here' Begins Shooting|website=JoBlo.com|last=Fraser|first=Kevin|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref>
===Filming=== Principal photography began on June 15, 2017, in Sarasota, Florida, with Brandon D. Hyde serving as cinematographer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/kevin-smith-horror-anthology-movie-killroy-was-here/|title=Kevin Smith's Monster Movie 'Killroy Was Here' Begins Filming At A Florida College|website=/Film|last=Giroux|first=Jack|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/kevin-smith-horror-movie-killroy-was-here-florida-1202467952/|title=Kevin Smith Filming Horror Movie 'Killroy Was Here' at Florida College|website=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=June 15, 2017|last=McNary|first=Dave|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> The film also shot scenes in areas around Ringling College of Art and Design and Nathan Benderson Park, before moving to Longboat Key.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20180803/kevin-smith-returns-to-finish-filming-killroy-was-here-in-sarasota-with-ringling-students|title=Kevin Smith returns to finish filming 'Killroy Was Here' in Sarasota with Ringling students|website=Jacksonville Daily News|publisher=Gannett|first=Jimmy|last=Geurts|date=August 3, 2018|access-date=June 7, 2020}}</ref> In January 2018, Azita Ghanizada, Ryan O'Nan, Justin Kucsulain, Kathryn Parks, Brendan Ragen, Michael Perez, and Cindy De La Cruz were confirmed to be starring in the film,<ref name="KillroyCast">{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3477381/first-look-villain-kevin-smiths-killroy/|title=First Look at the Villain in Kevin Smith's 'Killroy Was Here'|website=Bloody Disgusting|last=Squires|first=John|date=January 8, 2018|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> while Andrew McElfresh, Tony Stopperan, Joe Restaino, Nick Morgulis, Jordan Monsanto, and Adam Yeremian signed on as producers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/killroy-was-here-movie-kevin-smith-set-photos/|title=First Look at Kevin Smith's Horror Anthology, 'Killroy Was Here'|website=MovieWeb|date=January 3, 2018|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> In the same month, Smith's daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, joined the cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/263926/kevin-smiths-daughter-harley-quinn-smith-joins-killroy/|title=Kevin Smith's Daughter Harley Quinn Smith Joins His New Film 'Killroy Was Here'|website=Dread Central|last=Sprague|first=Mike|date=January 6, 2018|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> In August 2018, Chris Jericho was confirmed to star in the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/08/chris-jericho-to-star-in-kevin-smiths-horror-anthology-killroy-was-here/|title=Chris Jericho to star in Kevin Smith's horror anthology 'Killroy Was Here'|website=Flickering Myth|last=Collinson|first=Gary|date=August 19, 2018|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2019/03/jay-and-silent-bob-reboot-adds-shannon-elizabeth-chris-jericho-and-more/|title='Jay and Silent Bob Reboot' adds Shannon Elizabeth, Chris Jericho and more|website=Flickering Myth|last=Collinson|first=Gary|date=March 16, 2019|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/jericho-jay-and-silent-bob-reboot/|title=Chris Jericho Films Cameo In 'Jay And Silent Bob Reboot'|website=Pro Wrestling Sheet|last=Quarrinton|first=Norm|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=July 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3515666/wrestling-legend-chris-jericho-joins-kevin-smiths-horror-anthology-killroy/|title=Wrestling Legend Chris Jericho Joins Kevin Smith's Horror Anthology 'Killroy Was Here'|website=Bloody Disgusting|last=Squires|first=John|date=August 15, 2018|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> before filming wrapped in October 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailycommercial.com/news/20181022/ringling-college-brings-filmmakers-to-sarasota-despite-loss-of-florida-tax-incentives|title=Ringling College brings filmmakers to Sarasota despite loss of Florida tax incentives|website=Daily Commercial|publisher=Gannett|last=Geurts|first=Jimmy|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref>
===Post-production=== In April 2020, Smith revealed that the tone and style of ''KillRoy Was Here'' were inspired by ''Creepshow'' (1982), another comedy horror anthology film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/horror/news/kevin-smith-kilroy-was-here-creepshow-horror-movie-anthology/|title=Kevin Smith Compares His New Horror Anthology to 'Creepshow'|website=ComicBook.com|last=Cavanaugh|first=Patrick|date=April 7, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref> Robert Kurtzman designed the titular character, describing it as a "long-nosed monster".<ref name="Kurtzman"/> Simon Taufique was revealed to have composed the score for the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musiquetaufique.com/CREDITS/1|title=Clients | Simon TaufiQue - Composer|website=Musiquetaufique.com|access-date=July 10, 2022}}</ref> By April 2022, Jason Mewes and Ralph Garman were confirmed to appear in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2022/04/kevin-smith-to-sell-horror-anthology-killroy-was-here-as-nfts-new-trailer-released|title=Kevin Smith to sell horror anthology KillRoy Was Here as NFTs, new trailer released|website=Flickering Myth|last=Collinson|first=Gary|date=April 6, 2022|access-date=July 15, 2022}}</ref>
==Release== In February 2020, before the COVID-19 lockdowns, the film was set for a 2020 theatrical release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/entertainment/20200225/kevin-smith-returns-to-sarasota-to-visit-ringling-college|title=Kevin Smith returns to Sarasota to visit Ringling College|website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|publisher=Gannett|first=Jimmy|last=Geurts|date=February 25, 2020|access-date=March 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/kevin-smiths-horror-anthology-killroy-was-here-aiming-for-fall-release|title=Kevin Smith's Horror Anthology 'Killroy Was Here' Aiming For Fall Release|website=JoBlo.com|last=Hamman|first=Cody|date=February 26, 2020|access-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, during San Diego Comic-Con@Home, Smith indicated that the theatrical release had been pushed back to 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/killroy-was-here-trailer-kevin-smith/|title='Killroy Was Here' Trailer: Kevin Smith Unveils Schlocky Comedy-Horror Anthology Movie|work=Slash Film|date=July 27, 2020|first=Hoai-Tran|last=Bui|access-date=July 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/pop-culture/kevin-smith-unveils-funko-pop-online-at-comic-conhome/|title=Kevin Smith Unveils 'Killroy Was Here' and Funko POP at Comic-Con@Home|website=Bleeding Cool|publisher=Avatar Press|last=Johnston|first=Rich|date=July 12, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/killroy-was-here-trailer-kevin-smith-comic-con-panel/|title='Killroy Was Here' Trailer Comes to Comic-Con from Kevin Smith|website=MovieWeb|last=Burwick|first=Kevin|date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/kevin-smith-reveals-killroy-was-here-trailer/|title=Kevin Smith Reveals Trailer for New Film 'Killroy Was Here'|website=Den of Geek|last=Crow|first=David|date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref> In April 2021, it was announced that the film would be released exclusively as a non-fungible token (NFT).<ref name="NFT">{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/kevin-smith-killroy-was-here-nft-sale-jay-and-silent-bob-crypto-studio-1234733439/|title=Kevin Smith To Sell Horror Movie 'Killroy Was Here' As NFT, Launches Jay And Silent Bob's Crypto Studio|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=April 13, 2021|access-date=April 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/04/15/kevin-smith-auctioning-new-film-nft-killroy-here/7244602002/|title=Kevin Smith reveals why he's auctioning off new his film 'Killroy Was Here' as an NFT|first=Bryan|last=Alexander|website=USA Today|date=April 15, 2022|access-date=April 23, 2022}}</ref> ''KillRoy Was Here'' was ultimately released via NFT minting platform Legendao as 5,555 exclusive tokens on July 12, 2022.<ref name="KillroyNFT">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/kevin-smith-partners-with-legendao-on-killroy-was-here-nft-release-1234995297/|title=Kevin Smith Partners With Secret Network's Legendao On Distribution Of 'KillRoy Was Here', First Film Minted As NFT|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Matt|last=Grobar|date=April 6, 2022|access-date=April 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-07-13|title=KillRoy Was Here: Kevin Smith's NFT Movie Released|url=https://comicbook.com/horror/news/killroy-was-here-kevin-smiths-nft-movie-released|first=Jamie|last=Jirak|access-date=2022-07-14|website=ComicBook.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
Smith explained how the movie was released as an NFT, saying, "When it was all done, I had this movie; perfectly watchable, ''Creepshow'' type of movie. So I reached out to Shudder and I was like, 'Hey man, you guys wanna run this? It's a Kevin Smith original, kind of horror movie. 30 grand.' That was it. Shudder was like, 'This is terrible. This isn't good enough for Shudder.' Then our producer on the movie, David [Shapiro], he goes, 'I met with this company, they are interested in buying a movie to release as an NFT. The first movie to release as an NFT, and what they wanna do is use it to showcase their blockchain technology.' And I was like, 'Oh, all right.' Perhaps this is another version of indie film, this is a new playground to go play in. Company paid us over a million dollars. I made a million dollars off of this movie. 'Not good enough for Shudder.'"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.joblo.com/killroy-nft-release/ |title=Kevin Smith reveals how and why KillRoy Was Here became an NFT release |website=JoBlo |first=Cody |last=Hamman |access-date=May 23, 2026}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb title}} *{{Rotten tomatoes}} *{{Official website|https://killroywashere.io/}} {{Kevin Smith}} {{Portal bar|Comedy|Film|Florida|Speculative fiction/Horror}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:KillRoy Was Here}} Category:2022 American films Category:2022 English-language films Category:2022 comedy horror films Category:2022 films Category:American comedy horror films Category:American horror anthology films Category:American crime horror films Category:English-language comedy horror films Category:Films directed by Kevin Smith Category:Films shot in Florida Category:Films with screenplays by Kevin Smith Category:Non-fungible tokens Category:SModcast Pictures films Category:View Askew Productions films