Director Kelsey Bollig used her own death as inspiration for her latest film.
Horror can be incredibly personal for both the viewer and the filmmakers. While we the viewer project our own memories onto a film, filmmakers can imbue it with their own traumas and life experiences. Director Kelsey Bollig did just that with her new film Kickstart My Heart. The film is based on her own near-death experience when she was crushed by an SUV. She took that horrific trauma and molded it into a film that addresses what it means to have your own personal hell.
We got an exclusive look at the trailer for Kickstart My Heart and are excited to share it here:
The film follows Lilly, who, after a violent accident, wakes to find herself having barely escaped the steel grip of death. However, she soon discovers the fight has just begun. After a traumatic discovery, Lilly battles her greatest demons with the help of her little brother Richie. Lilly travels through three levels of hell that she must fight in order to survive a brutal car accident. Lilly’s is a story about what it is like to be faced with life and death – or worse – somewhere in between.
Emma Pasarow stars in the film as Lilly. Bollig recently directed the short film Asking for a Friend which made a splash on the 2019 festival circuit. She wrote and directed Kickstart My Heart, which makes its festival debut later this year. Keep an eye on Dread Central for any updates on Bollig’s newest project.
![kickstart - 'Kickstart My Heart' Is A Bone-Shattering Look At Life After Death [Video]](https://www.dreadcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/kickstart.jpeg)
Tags: Kickstart My Heart
Categorized: News
:quality(85):upscale()/2025/05/08/882/n/1922564/19f725f9681d0fc3478e10.51808599_.png "PSA: Abercrombie's Fall Favorites Sale Is Here – Take 25% Off Online Only")
:quality(85):upscale()/2025/09/25/799/n/1922564/27fc81af68d585bd243517.38876404_.jpg "Nordstrom's Best Sweaters on Sale, From Cropped Cardigans to Cozy Knits")
:quality(85):upscale()/2023/08/07/931/n/1922564/b46cc00664d1606e997209.44470694_.jpg "11 Clever Halloween Costumes For Your Favorite Red Dress")
:quality(85):upscale()/2025/10/13/707/n/1922564/9a49b08a68ed21e11195d1.97395658_.png "The Best Béis Travel Bags, According to Our Jet-Setting Editors")
