Adam Scott and the Cast of SXSW 2026’s ‘The Saviors’ Reveal Their Airbnb Horror Stories

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Adam Scott, known for his role in Severance, stars in a new horror film called The Saviors, which recently premiered at SXSW. The movie centers on Sean and Kim, a couple struggling with their marriage who decide to rent out their guest house to a seemingly quiet brother and sister from the Middle East. As strange things start happening, Sean and Kim become fixated on their tenants, launching an investigation that might just save their relationship—though they may uncover disturbing truths along the way.

At SXSW 2026, the cast and creators of The Saviors and The Penguin – including Adam Scott, Theo Rossi, Danielle Deadwyler, Travis Betz, and director/writer Kevin Hamedani – shared their scariest Airbnb experiences with TopMob. They also discussed why horror movies, despite being frightening, have a way of connecting people.

The Saviors doesn’t currently have a release date.

The Saviors Cast Shares Their Airbnb Horror Stories

“I’ve Stayed In Some Airbnbs That Weren’t Exactly As Advertised…”

TopMob: “I’m curious for you, do you have any horror stories when it comes to Airbnbs or renting?”

I’ve definitely stayed in Airbnbs that weren’t what I expected. Some of them just had a really creepy feeling, like something bad had happened there – maybe even a murder. I don’t believe in ghosts, but a couple of those places gave off a vibe I couldn’t shake.

Yeah, I’ve stayed in a few Airbnbs. I remember being in Turks and Caicos when I used to think renting a house was better than a hotel – I wanted to feel more connected to the local scene. That’s when I first started noticing cameras everywhere, and my wife and I realized someone was watching us. This was before we had kids.

I started looking for the cameras, and then while we were heading out for a hike, someone broke in and stole everything we owned. The strangest part was that they actually ate some bananas while they were robbing us. Knowing a bit about criminals, it struck me as incredibly bold – they clearly weren’t worried about us catching them or returning home to find the theft.

So, my wife and I had a rental property experience where the tenants stole a lot of things. They even lost one of her expensive new earrings – we found one half on one side of the house and the other on the opposite side! It was really strange. They ate all our bananas and seemed to get careless. Thankfully, they left our passports, which allowed us to travel home. It was a bizarre situation with some polite, banana-loving criminals, and that’s my last rental story.

I’ll never forget when I visited a place that just didn’t live up to the hype. The pictures online made it look amazing, but when I got there, it was…disappointing, to say the least. They weren’t even there! I knew right then I needed to leave and find somewhere that actually made me happy. It was the best decision I could have made.

I’ve rented quite a few places, including some Airbnbs. Once, I was living in a rental between homes, and it wasn’t in a very safe neighborhood. I remember it was around 3 AM when someone knocked on my door, and when I looked, there was a large group of people just standing on my porch, seemingly waiting for me to open it.

It was really frightening, reminding me of a scene from ‘The Saviors.’ I found myself wondering if these people needed help, but it was 3 a.m. and there were several of them just standing around. I slowly backed away, hoping they wouldn’t notice my shadow, and waited until they left. It was a genuinely scary experience.

Why Horror Brings People Together

“When Shit Goes Sideways, People Come Together.”

TopMob wondered why a horror movie, despite dealing with dark and frightening themes, would hint at a rekindled romance between its main characters. They questioned how a genre known for violence and terror could also allow for the exploration of love and connection.

I believe people tend to unite when things get tough. We’ve been a bit disconnected lately, but historically, when faced with adversity, we come together as a species. It’s similar to what happens on my ranch with the animals – during a storm like lightning, they all seek safety in numbers. I think this applies to horror or any major event; people naturally band together. However, that’s not always the case, as people are sometimes left to fend for themselves, so it’s not a perfect system.

Danielle Deadwyler believes people are drawn to difficult situations and how characters respond to them. She suggests there’s something about seeing someone pushed to their limits that resonates with audiences. We’re fascinated by extreme urgency and the struggle to overcome it, and a touch of humor can make these stories even more engaging and relatable.

Travis Betz believes the story is rooted in wanting to imagine a better outcome, explaining that he wrote it while going through a divorce. He had a desire to fix things, but realized that doing so in real life was difficult and disheartening. It would have required a lot of difficult self-reflection, therapy, and hard work, and might not have been possible anyway.

Genre fiction, especially horror and suspense, allows you to quickly create intense situations that force characters together. This can bring couples closer without the slow, difficult process of building a relationship, as we see in ‘The Saviors.’ It raises the question: are they genuinely working on their connection, or are they simply bonded by the excitement of the adventure? Is the thrill what’s actually holding them together? I think that adds a fantastical element to the idea of a relationship.

I’d describe my work as a dark comedy horror. The great thing about comedy horror – or any genre film, really – is that it lets filmmakers explore serious issues without feeling like they’re lecturing the audience. I prefer to be entertained first and foremost. If a film also happens to offer some deeper insight into social or political topics, that’s a bonus. That’s why I gravitate towards genre films. I was raised on the work of directors like John Carpenter and Steven Spielberg, and I wanted to create something in that same spirit – a really fun, exciting movie like theirs.

You can watch all the red carpet interviews with the cast and crew of the SXSW film The Saviors here.

The Saviors does not currently have a release date.

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2026-03-31 02:37