“The Surrender”: Julia Max’s Horror Debut Explores Grief and Loss
In her emotionally charged debut feature The Surrender, premiering May 23 on Shudder, Julia Max, who wrote, directed, and produced the film delivers a raw exploration of grief and familial reckoning. Starring Colby Minifie (The Boys) and Emmy-nominated Kate Burton (Grey’s Anatomy), the film blurs the line between psychological and supernatural horror to examine love, loss, and the fragile complexity of human connection.
“The inspiration came from what my mother and I went through when my stepfather passed away,” Max shares candidly. “She hired a death doula, which I had never heard of at the time, and my imagination immediately ran wild with worst-case scenarios, which would then inspire The Surrender. Of course, in reality, the experience was completely different. The doula, whose name was Siri, was incredibly compassionate and supportive during an incredibly difficult time. I’m so grateful we had her.” For those unfamiliar, a death doula provides holistic support, including emotional, physical, spiritual, and practical care, to help families navigate the end-of-life process with dignity and compassion.
Though fictional, The Surrender is deeply rooted in Max’s real-life experience of navigating loss. Reflecting on the creative process, Max explains, “I think art is absolutely one of the best ways to process emotional struggle and turmoil. Therapy is wonderful too, but there’s something about creating—whether it’s writing, painting, or something else that allows you to step back and see things more objectively.” She adds, “Writing this film was especially helpful for my relationship with my mom because it pushed me to consider her perspective more deeply. I had to write as a character in an authentic way, not just how I perceive her. That insight was truly invaluable.”
Shot in Los Angeles at the Descanso Gardens Boddy House in only 18 days, The Surrender benefits from its indie roots and creative freedom. “Because this was a low-budget film, our financing wasn’t cast-contingent,” Max notes. “We could hire the people who were genuinely right for each character, and that was crucial.”
Colby Minifie’s emotionally nuanced performance as Megan anchors the film. “From her first audition, I knew she was the one,” Max says. “She brought bravery and authenticity to the role. There’s not a false note in her performance.” Off-camera, Minifie balances intensity with warmth. “She’s incredibly professional, prepared, and just so much fun,” Max explains.
Max’s commitment to authenticity extended to the film’s occult elements as well. “I called our occult consultant, Kevin Wetmore, and asked if he had any resurrection rituals,” she recalls with a laugh. “He said, ‘Babylonian, Sumerian—you name it.’ But because these rituals are real, I rearranged a few words—no one wants to accidentally summon something. That could be a horror movie on its own,” she says with a smile.
At its core, The Surrender is a visceral exploration of grief, identity, and the lengths we’ll go to hold on to love. “Losing a father is very different from losing a husband,” Max reflects. “Sometimes in relationships, we become so entwined with another person that when they’re gone, we lose a part of ourselves too.”
That emotional unraveling is embodied in Burton’s character—a mother desperate enough to risk everything to bring her husband back. “It’s a terrifying place to be,” Max says. “And I wanted to explore that tension honestly.”
The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest (SXSW), a moving and full-circle moment for Max. “Having my parents there was really special,” she shares. “But the whole time, I kept wishing my stepfather could be there with me. It was surreal—realizing that if he were still here, this movie wouldn’t exist.”
Max hopes that The Surrender starts a broader conversation about grief, caregiving, and the complexity of emotional wounds. “I hope people who’ve experienced loss feel a little less alone,” she says. “And I hope everyone is reminded to be a little more patient with their parents—they’re just human. You never know how much time you have left with them.”
Looking ahead, Max remains firmly rooted in horror. “All my projects so far are horror,” she smiles. “If someone wants to fund the next one, it will definitely be in the genre.”
Julia Max’s The Surrender establishes her as a vital new voice in filmmaking—proof that horror can be as healing as it is haunting.
The Surrender premieres May 23 exclusively on Shudder.
