From TikTok to Terrifying Cinema: DFW Creator Kris Collins Brings New Horror Film to Life

Driving to Kris Collins’ home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you begin to understand the kind of environment that fuels her imagination.

The gravel road leading to her property seems to stretch endlessly, flanked by sprawling fields dotted with horses and cows. Every so often, an abandoned house, with its roof caved in or its facade weathered by time, stands as a haunting monument of lives once lived. It’s the kind of landscape where a single wrong turn might land you in a Texas Chainsaw nightmare, but instead, it leads to an oasis of creativity.

Upon arrival, we’re greeted by an unlikely sight — a bright green alien statue perched near the home’s entrance. It’s a playful nod to the whims of its owners, Collins and her husband Caleb Phelps, a fellow content creator better known online as "oompaville."

The home itself is a blend of modern comforts and artistic charm, reflecting the couple’s eccentric, down-to-earth personalities. The two-story studio, complete with a gym, lounge and framed Danzig vinyl covers, serves as the creative nerve center for Collins’ growing empire. Upstairs, she welcomes us with a warm smile and an ease that contrasts with the eerie worlds she builds on-screen.

From KallMeKris to Filmmaker

Collins — known to her millions of online followers as KallMeKris — has spent the last few years carving out her place in the cultural zeitgeist. Her witty, character-driven TikToks have earned her over 50 million followers and a reputation as a social media darling. Yet, beneath the comedy sketches lies a lifelong love for darker storytelling, a passion now realized with her feature directorial debut, House on Eden. The film is set to release exclusively in theaters on July 25 through RLJE Films and Shudder.

For Collins, the transition from smartphone screens to the silver screen was both natural and challenging.
“Horror’s always been a part of me,” she tells us, her voice tinged with excitement. “I started watching it as a kid — I wasn’t even allowed. I’d sneak movies at my friends’ houses, everything from The Blair Witch Project to Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

Those influences shine through in House on Eden, which she describes as a love letter to the gritty, low-budget classics of the genre.

“We used actual high-eight cameras and eight-millimeter film — no filters,” she says. “It’s rough, but that’s what makes it real.”

The film follows a team of paranormal investigators played by Collins, Celina Myers (aka CelinaSpookyBoo) and Jason-Christopher Mayer, who are lured to an abandoned house in the woods. What begins as a routine investigation quickly spirals into chaos and terror as they encounter a malevolent force.

“It’s folklore, it’s found footage, it’s everything I love about horror,” Collins explains.

The North Texas Connection

While Collins is originally from British Columbia, her connection to Dallas-Fort Worth runs deep.

“I moved here for love,” she shares, referencing her now-husband, Caleb.

“He was my boyfriend at the time, and I was tired of flying back and forth. We wanted somewhere quiet but close enough to the city when we needed it.”

The couple chose to set down roots in the countryside, a decision Collins says has been a boon to her mental health.

“Being out here… keeps me grounded,” she notes. “I can walk outside, hear nothing but nature and just breathe.”

It’s not just the solitude that inspires her. Collins speaks fondly of the local culture, from its famed architecture to its creative undercurrents. She credits places like Alamo Drafthouse, where she screened House on Eden, and the surrounding arts scene with sparking fresh ideas.

“Dallas has such a pulse,” she says. “And then there’s the history — driving out here, you see all these old, beautiful, sometimes eerie things. They just stick with you.”

One such image, she recounts, is a lone chimney in a field she often passes.

“I don’t know the story behind it, but it’s haunting,” she says. “You see it and instantly start weaving your own tale. That’s what Texas does — it inspires stories everywhere you look.”

Stepping into House on Eden

For Collins, the making of House on Eden was both a passion project and an exercise in pushing her boundaries. Most of the film was shot in just seven days, with Collins juggling writing, directing and acting duties.

“It was overwhelming,” she admits. But I had an incredible team.”

Improvisation played a big role as Collins gave her co-stars loose scene outlines and encouraged them to ad-lib.

“I think it made the film feel more authentic,” she says.

One standout moment involves a meticulously choreographed scene with flickering lights.

“I storyboarded that a year before we filmed,” she recalls. “It was practical effects — no CGI. Just fishing wire and timing. And, honestly, I scared myself during that scene!”

Beyond the technicalities, Collins wanted the essence of the thrills to resonate emotionally.

“It’s about control, corruption and how we distort ourselves, especially in the online space,” she says.

The film’s opening shot of a Venus flytrap sets the tone for its exploration of entrapment, an idea mirrored in its chilling finale.

“Every piece had to mean something,” Collins says. “I love when people can re-watch a movie and pick up on things they missed.”

Despite her burgeoning success in film, though, Collins remains rooted in her multi-hyphenate life. She regularly posts on YouTube, where she explores true crime and comedy, all while co-running a thriving candy company, Sour Boys, with Phelps. The couple is also venturing into video game development, focusing on — you guessed it — horror.

“We’re working on something really special,” she hints. “Think psychological scares, but interactive.”

Looking forward, Collins is eager to tackle more projects across different media, though horror remains closest to her heart.

“It’s what I love,” she says. “There’s so much you can say through fear — about community, humanity, everything.”

So, while she might be best known as a TikTok creator who can make you laugh in under 30 seconds, with House on Eden, she’s proven that her creativity knows no bounds. And sitting with her in her DFW home, surrounded by the quiet hum of the Texas countryside, it’s clear that this is just the beginning.

House on Eden will be shown for a special early screening at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 21, at Cinemark West Plano (3800 Dallas Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093). Collins, Myers and Mayer will attend a Q&A after the show, moderated by the Observer's own Preston Barta. Tickets are available now, but if you're among the first 25 readers to email our arts & culture editor at [email protected] with your full name, we'll make sure you're on the list for a free pass.