I JUST LIKE TO KILL: Stormi Maya Talks Masked Killers, Creative Control, and Building a New Horror Franchise

By Seth Metoyer | More Horror

Some killers want revenge. Others have elaborate motivations, traumatic histories, or twisted philosophies that supposedly explain their appetite for violence. Then there are the killers who simply enjoy what they do.

That disturbing idea sits at the center of I Just Like to Kill, a new independent slasher from actress, producer, and filmmaker Stormi Maya, who wants to build something considerably larger than a single horror movie.

Produced through her company, Axl Storm Productions, the Wisconsin-shot feature introduces a world of masked murderers connected by a mysterious set of rules. The film draws from the traditions of classic slasher cinema while exploring multiple killers, intersecting storylines, and a mythology Maya hopes to expand into an ongoing franchise.

The title makes its intentions clear. The killers have their reasons, or perhaps they have none worth explaining.

A World of Killers and Five Deadly Rules

The film opens with a young woman arriving at an abandoned house for what she believes will be a photoshoot. Instead, she encounters a masked executioner who documents his crimes through Polaroid photographs and stores his mask and trophies inside a mysterious black box.

Inside that box are five rules:

1. Keep the mask on.

2. Never speak.

3. Show no mercy.

4. Mark your territory.

5. Leave no witnesses.

The rules suggest an organized tradition of violence that extends beyond any individual murderer.

Two months later, three content creators, Alyssa (Stormi Maya), Tara (Destini Fox), and Jade (Summer Soderstrom), travel to an isolated rural farmhouse for a photoshoot. Their getaway coincides with reports of gruesome killings across multiple states, with authorities suspecting several different murderers.

The danger moves closer when John (Toryan Rogers), the photographer scheduled to meet them, encounters a mysterious driver on a remote country road. The encounter places the women's location in the hands of a masked killer.

Another storyline follows four friends, Billy, Ellen, Stu, and Sally, whose cabin getaway descends into terror when one of them disappears and strange messages begin drawing the others deeper into the surrounding woods.

These seemingly separate encounters establish the larger world Maya envisions, where different killers operate according to a shared code.

The premise brings an intriguing question to the familiar slasher formula: What happens when the mask represents something greater than the person wearing it?

Behind the Masks

I Just Like to Kill comes from an original concept by Maya, who developed the screenplay with Nehemiah Saintlot. Michael Garcia and Peter Hurd share directing credits, with Garcia also serving as cinematographer and editor.

The ensemble includes Stormi Maya, Destini Fox, Summer Soderstrom, Carson Lee Diega, Jerode Blanks, Medina Imani, Toryan Rogers, Ellie Ensley, Samuel Cooke, David Ellis, Kevin McDonald, and Ryan James.

The production embraces rural isolation, practical horror elements, and the visual traditions that have helped define slashers for decades.

For Maya, the challenges of bringing the film to life tell a story of their own.

The actress, whose credits include Spike Lee's Netflix series She's Gotta Have It, has spent years working across entertainment, including acting, modeling, music, and independent filmmaking. With I Just Like to Kill, she took greater ownership of the creative process, developing the original concept, producing the feature, and portraying Alyssa. That led to several obstacles.

Maya describes disagreements over creative authority, difficult experiences with potential collaborators, and inappropriate behavior she encountered while attempting to finance the project. Ultimately, she chose to fund the film herself.

Those experiences also helped define her ambitions for Axl Storm Productions, a company she wants to develop into a creative home for emerging talent, particularly women seeking opportunities to move into filmmaking from other areas of entertainment.

More Horror spoke with Stormi Maya about the film's mythology, her experiences bringing the production to life, her relationship with the horror genre, and why this particular slasher represents the beginning of something much bigger.

MORE HORROR INTERVIEW: 6 QUESTIONS WITH STORMI MAYA

MORE HORROR: The title I Just Like to Kill is pretty unapologetic, and the film takes an interesting approach to the slasher formula with multiple masked killers operating under a shared set of rules. Where did the original concept come from, and what interested you and co-writer Nehemiah Saintlot about exploring killers whose motivations might be as simple as enjoying the act itself?

STORMI MAYA: I Just Like to Kill is actually an original concept that I created myself. I came up with the story, the overall premise, and the world I wanted to build, and then I hired screenwriter Nehemiah Saintlot to help me develop that vision into a screenplay.

I’ve always been fascinated by the psychology behind horror, especially the way audiences are constantly searching for explanations behind violence. We’re so accustomed to killers having some tragic backstory, revenge motive, or psychological explanation for why they do what they do. I wanted to explore something much more unsettling: What if someone simply enjoys killing?

That’s where the title comes from. It’s straightforward, unapologetic, and almost uncomfortable in its simplicity.

I also didn’t want to create another slasher film that revolved around one masked killer. I wanted to build an entire world of killers, each with their own personalities, methods, and stories, but connected through a larger concept.

My ultimate goal is to turn I Just Like to Kill into an ongoing horror franchise, something with the longevity of Halloween or Friday the 13th. Those franchises have become part of horror culture, and I would love to create something that continues expanding through multiple films, characters, and storylines.

For me, this first film is really just the beginning of the world I want to create.

MORE HORROR: One of the more intriguing elements of the film is the mysterious black box containing five rules that connect the killers. There’s an almost ritualistic quality to that idea, suggesting something larger than the individual murderers. How did you develop that mythology, and what made you decide to tell the story through multiple groups of characters and locations?

STORMI MAYA: The box and the five rules are important because they establish that these killers are connected by something larger than their individual actions.

I loved the contrast between chaos and structure. You have people committing these horrific acts, yet they’re operating within a specific set of rules. There’s almost an organized system behind something that appears completely unpredictable.

The rules are simple, but they create a sense of mystery. Who established them? Why do these killers follow them? What happens if someone breaks them?

Those are the kinds of questions I want audiences to think about.

I also wanted the story to move between different groups of characters and locations because it makes the world feel bigger. Instead of following one killer and one group of victims, we’re exploring how this concept can exist across different situations.

That approach also gives me room to expand the mythology in future films. I don’t want the franchise to feel restricted to one character, one town, or one storyline.

The possibilities are much greater when you establish a universe rather than just an individual villain.

MORE HORROR: You’ve spent years working in independent film, both in front of and behind the camera. With I Just Like to Kill, you’re producing the film while also playing Alyssa. How did wearing both hats affect your experience on set, and what have you learned about maintaining your own creative vision while navigating the realities of independent filmmaking?

STORMI MAYA: This film has been one of the most challenging and empowering experiences of my career.

I’ve spent years working as an actress, and unfortunately, I’ve had some very negative experiences with directors and producers, particularly men who didn’t respect my creative input or professional boundaries.

With I Just Like to Kill, I was determined to do things differently. I created this story, hired the screenwriter, and took on the responsibility of producing it. But even with that level of involvement, I encountered people who attempted to undermine my authority over my own project.

I actually went through three different directors during the process of bringing this film to life.

I dealt with everything from creative disagreements and difficult egos to directors attempting to claim 50% ownership of a film they hadn’t created. There were situations where my ideas weren’t being respected, despite the fact that I was the creator and producer.

I also experienced inappropriate sexual behavior from people I was considering working with, including potential investors. Those experiences made me realize how easily women can find themselves in situations where professional opportunities become entangled with inappropriate expectations.

Eventually, I decided that I would rather fund the film myself than compromise my ownership, creative vision, or personal boundaries.

That decision was incredibly important to me.

I think there’s sometimes an assumption that women, especially women who come from modeling or adult-content backgrounds, aren’t capable of being serious filmmakers or businesswomen. I’ve experienced that judgment throughout my career, and it’s something

I’m determined to challenge.

Producing this film while playing Alyssa meant constantly switching between being an actress and being responsible for the entire production. It was exhausting at times, but it also reinforced why I wanted to become a producer in the first place.

I don’t just want to participate in other people’s creative visions anymore. I want to build my own.

And I want Axl Storm Productions to become a company where other women can have opportunities without having to sacrifice their dignity, safety, or creative independence.

MORE HORROR: The film was shot in Wisconsin and leans into isolated locations, masked killers, and practical horror elements. Independent horror often thrives on ingenuity, especially when resources are limited. What were some of the biggest challenges during production, and was there a particular scene, effect, or moment where the crew found a creative solution you’re especially proud of?

STORMI MAYA: One of the biggest challenges was honestly everything that happened before we even started filming.

People often talk about the technical challenges of independent filmmaking, but I think one of the most overlooked challenges is finding people who genuinely respect the project and want to collaborate.

I had to make some very difficult decisions about who I was willing to work with. When you’re funding a movie yourself, every setback affects you personally and financially. You don’t have a major studio behind you absorbing those losses.

There were moments when I had to choose between keeping the production moving with the wrong people or making uncomfortable decisions to protect the film.

I chose to protect the film.

Once we got into production, we also had to work within the realities of a limited budget and a tight shooting schedule. Horror is particularly challenging because there are so many moving pieces. You have to consider performances, practical effects, continuity, lighting, camera angles, sound, and how everything will come together in editing.

Wisconsin actually provided a fantastic setting for the type of horror I wanted to create. The rural landscapes and isolated locations naturally lend themselves to suspense. There’s something frightening about being somewhere remote, where you don’t necessarily have anyone nearby to help you.

I’m proud of the team members who stayed committed to bringing the film to life, particularly through the challenges we faced.

For me, one of the biggest accomplishments wasn’t necessarily one specific effect or scene. It was getting the film completed without surrendering control of something I had worked so hard to create.

Independent filmmaking requires a tremendous amount of problem-solving, but it also requires knowing when to stand up for yourself.

MORE HORROR: Back in a 2017 interview, you described horror as a genre capable of containing virtually every other genre, from drama and comedy to science fiction and fantasy. Nearly a decade later, you’re still creating horror. Has your relationship with the genre evolved, and what do you think contemporary slashers need to bring to the table to leave an impression on audiences who have seemingly seen every variation of the masked killer?

STORMI MAYA: My love for horror has only grown over the years.

And it’s not limited to movies. I love horror video games, horror books, disturbing stories, psychological horror, slashers, supernatural horror, all of it. It’s a genre that genuinely fascinates me.

I still stand by what I said in 2017 because horror has an incredible amount of creative freedom. You can incorporate comedy, drama, romance, science fiction, fantasy, or almost anything else into a horror story.

I think that’s one of the reasons I’ve remained so interested in it. There are endless possibilities.

But my relationship with horror has definitely evolved because now I’m looking at it from the perspective of someone who wants to create and produce these stories, not just act in them.

I want to explore what makes audiences uncomfortable, what makes certain villains memorable, and why some horror films stay with us for decades.

I also think being a woman in this space gives me an interesting perspective. Horror has historically featured so many memorable female characters, but I want to contribute more to the creative side of the genre as well.

I’m interested in telling stories through my own lens, exploring different types of characters, and challenging some of the expectations audiences have about women in horror.

As far as modern slashers go, I don’t necessarily think every film needs to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes people just want to watch a really entertaining, brutal slasher movie, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But I do think a film needs its own identity.

For I Just Like to Kill, I wanted that identity to come from the larger mythology, the multiple killers, and the possibility of expanding the story into an entire franchise.

Horror is also the direction I want to continue developing Axl Storm Productions. This isn’t a genre I’m experimenting with temporarily. It’s something I genuinely love and want to build a future in.

MORE HORROR: With I Just Like to Kill beginning its streaming rollout through Mann Robinson Distribution this November, you’re reaching an important milestone for the project. What has this journey taught you about getting independent films from production to distribution, and what do you hope audiences take away from the experience once the credits roll?

STORMI MAYA: This journey has taught me that making a movie is only half the battle.

Getting a film from an idea to a completed production is difficult enough, but then you have post-production, distribution, marketing, and the challenge of getting people to actually discover your work.

I’m incredibly grateful that I Just Like to Kill is being distributed through Mann Robinson Distribution and will have the opportunity to reach audiences through streaming platforms.

But beyond the distribution itself, this project represents a major personal milestone for me.

I took an idea that I created, faced numerous obstacles trying to bring it to life, made the decision to finance it myself, and ultimately got it to the point where audiences will be able to watch it.

That’s something I’m extremely proud of.

I also hope this film represents the beginning of something much larger, both for the franchise and for my production company.

One of my biggest goals moving forward is to create opportunities for people who are often overlooked by the traditional entertainment industry.

I come from a background in modeling, including adult-content work, and I’ve seen how difficult it can be for women with similar backgrounds to transition into mainstream acting.

I’ve spoken with women who feel they aren’t taken seriously when pursuing acting opportunities, or who worry about being placed in uncomfortable or unsafe situations with directors, producers, or casting professionals.

I want to help change that.

I want to cast influencers, Instagram models, OnlyFans creators, and women from different entertainment backgrounds alongside experienced actresses and actors. I believe talent and potential can come from many places, and someone’s modeling background shouldn’t automatically determine what opportunities they’re allowed to pursue.

More importantly, I want to create professional environments where women feel respected, safe, and comfortable exploring their talents without worrying about sexual pressure or inappropriate expectations.

I’ve experienced some of those situations firsthand, and I know how discouraging they can be.

Instead of allowing those experiences to push me away from filmmaking, I’ve decided to use them as motivation to create something better.

That’s a huge part of what Axl Storm Productions represents to me. It’s about ownership, creative freedom, and building opportunities for people who might otherwise struggle to find them.

As for audiences watching I Just Like to Kill, I hope they enjoy the experience. I want them to be entertained, disturbed, surprised, and curious about where the story could go next.

And hopefully, years from now, this will be remembered as the film that started a much bigger horror franchise.

A Franchise in the Making?

Maya's ambitions for I Just Like to Kill extend well beyond its initial release. The mysterious box, the five rules, and the possibility of multiple killers operating within the same mythology provide a foundation for additional stories.

The concept also raises some interesting possibilities. Who created the rules? How far does this network extend? And what happens when a killer decides to abandon the code?

For Maya, those unanswered questions represent opportunities to expand the franchise.

Her ambitions for Axl Storm Productions carry a personal significance as well. After navigating the challenges of bringing her own project to the screen, Maya hopes to establish a company where other performers and aspiring filmmakers can develop their talents while maintaining professional boundaries and creative independence.

Independent horror has a long history of filmmakers finding their voices through personal projects, resourcefulness, and a willingness to take chances. Maya now adds her own story to that tradition.

Whether I Just Like to Kill develops into the long-running franchise she envisions remains a question for the future. For now, Maya has completed the film, secured distribution, and established the world she wants to explore.

And somewhere inside that world, another killer may already be reaching for a mask.

Release Information

I Just Like to Kill premieres November 30, 2026, on The TIVI Network, according to the film's official Instagram announcement.

The film's original press materials identify the film is Presented by Axl Storm Productions and distributed by Mann Robinson Distribution.

The production anticipates additional distribution through Amazon and free, ad-supported streaming services, potentially including Tubi.

The filmmakers will announce specific platform availability and release dates as they receive confirmation.

Film: I Just Like to Kill

Genre: Horror / Slasher / Thriller

Production: Axl Storm Productions

Creator / Producer: Stormi Maya

Directors: Michael Garcia and Peter Hurd

Screenplay: Stormi Maya and Nehemiah Saintlot

Distributor: Mann Robinson Distribution

Release Date: November 30, 2026

Follow Stormi Maya on Instagram: @stormimaya For More Details: https://www.instagram.com/ijustliketokill/ https://www.instagram.com/thetivinetwork/

More Horror thanks Stormi Maya for taking the time to discuss the film, her experiences in independent filmmaking, and her plans for Axl Storm Productions.