Though Motown founder Berry Gordy called his Boston Boulevard mansion home for only a few years, the estate remains steeped in history. The footsteps of influential figures, from politicians to some of music’s biggest acts, linger in its hallways. With grand, Renaissance-style architecture, an imposing presence, and a storied past, the mansion seemed destined for a ghost story. Now, it’s starring in one.
Haunted Heist, an independent feature film directed by award-winning actor and comedian Rel Howery, hits theaters on July 24. A red carpet premiere takes place tonight (July 22) at Emagine Royal Oak. The mansion serves as the spooky setting for a genre-bending romp that blends horror, comedy, and crime.
Comedian Karlous Miller plays the ringleader, who summons three longtime friends to a mansion in hopes of stealing an antique dagger worth millions. They reluctantly go along with his scheme, only to discover that the home’s former owners never truly left. To survive, they must set aside their differences and work together to escape the spirits’ deadly plans.
Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish (best known for the 2017 film Girls Trip), content creator-turned-actor Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor (who rose to fame making skits and parodies on Vine), and Howery portray the three friends — a fitting dynamic given their connection off-screen.
Howery on Working with Friends
In a July 16 interview with Hour, Howery raves about the cast’s talent — Miller’s range, Haddish’s charisma, Bachelor’s comedic timing — and ability to improvise while staying true to the script. Working with friends, he says, felt like summer camp, with genuine off-camera camaraderie finding its way into the film. He recalls a moment when Miller and Bachelor teased him behind the scenes for taking off his glasses to read, which became a joke in the movie.
The supernatural flick marks Howery’s directorial debut, and he appreciates that his friends embraced his new role. “I love the fact that they took me seriously as a director,” he says. “On tough days, when you’ve got your friends … and they’re like, ‘Alright bro, we got you,’ that goes a long way.”
The cast’s chemistry translates to the screen; early audiences have consistently commented on the group’s natural rapport. At those first screenings, including the film’s premiere at Texas’s Fantastic Festival, Howery describes scrunching in his seat, nervously peeking around the theater to gauge the audience’s reaction, feeling relief each time they laughed. “I’ve done a bunch of stuff,” he says. “I mean a bunch of stuff. But this one’s different.”
Howery’s Journey to Becoming a Director
After performing his first stand-up show at age 19, Howery went on to win an MTV Movie and TV Award for best comedic performance for his role as TSA agent Rod Williams in Jordan Peele’s groundbreaking horror film Get Out. He also appeared alongside Ryan Reynolds in Free Guy and headlines the Vacation Friends franchise. His TV credits include NBC’s The Carmichael Show, the HBO Max sitcom South Side, numerous stand-up specials on HBO and Netflix, and Fox’s Rel, loosely based on his own life. Howery got his first taste of shaping scenes according to his own creative vision when he co-wrote and co-produced the sketch comedy series Friends of the People.
Directing his own project gave Howery, a self-proclaimed TV and film nerd, a new outlet to deepen his passion. His enthusiasm for the industry is contagious as he cites influences from George Lucas to Sylvester Stallone, along with his own mentors, Ava DuVernay and Shawn Levy. Encouraged to direct by Haunted Heist producers Josh Feldman and Sean O’Grady — whom he previously worked with on The Mill — he began studying other filmmakers’ techniques and experimenting with his own style.
Stepping behind the camera gave Howery a greater appreciation for the meticulous planning and many hands required to bring a film to life. “Collab is what makes the movie work,” he says. “Ideas come from everywhere. … I learned to respect everybody’s job on the set and how big their role is in making this happen.”
The Making of Haunted Heist
As an independent production, Haunted Heist lacked the budget of a major studio film. However, that inspired one of Howery’s guiding mottos: “If you ain’t got the time or the money, make it funny.”
Time was certainly in short supply — Haunted Heist filmed in just 18 days. But lean into the laughs, it did. “I’m a horror fan, but I can’t stand horror movies that take themselves too seriously,” Howery says. “Like man, you expect me not to laugh at this? I’m sorry; I’m not scared. This is just hysterical.”
The film shot at various locations across Detroit, including the Masonic Temple and an abandoned prison.
“Detroit was perfect because of the locations,” Howery says. “I remember when our line producer started sending locations, and I was like, ‘Oh, Detroit got some gems.’”
The team toured several notable sites, including Aretha Franklin’s former home, before settling on Berry Gordy’s mansion as the film’s haunted centerpiece. Howery marveled at the city’s historic homes, many preserved as “little museums” offering a glimpse into the music industry’s legacy of wealth and success.
That said, he agrees with Haddish’s assessment that the mansion gives off a “creepy” vibe. Much of the home’s original interior remains intact, down to the “old-school Freddy Krueger furnace,” he says. “You’re like, ‘Woah, this shouldn’t be in any home anymore.’”
Showcasing Detroit
The crew takes pride in bringing the city to the screen. “I think we did a good job of showing the legendary landmarks that no one talks about in Detroit.” Howery says. “The people were great there. Great crew there. Even the office building [we shot at] was great.”
Not only are O’Grady and several crew members Detroit natives, but numerous local performers also play roles in the film. Among them are actress and comedian Kesha E, Once Upon a Time in Detroit director Joe Blount, actor and Wayne State graduate Stephen Blackwell, and comedian Martini Harris — once recommended to Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle by Gladys Knight.
Howery himself is no stranger to Detroit, having performed in the city since the early days of his comedy career. He calls Detroit one of his favorite audiences. Though he quickly clarifies that he’s “100% a married man,” he jokes that “some of the most beautiful women ever created” live in Detroit. “That sang to me,” he quips.
What’s Next for Howery
Looking ahead, Howery plans to release a limited series that marks a dramatic emotional shift from Haunted Heist. He describes the series as a “love letter” to his family and teases that a “big” director helped push the personal project along. “I cannot wait to keep entertaining for you,” he says. “You’re not gonna be able to put me in a box. You don’t know what I’m gonna do next.”
See what Howery brings to the screen with Haunted Heist, showing at theaters across metro Detroit beginning July 24. Buy tickets now at hauntedheistmovie.com.
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