Back in 1975, the film Jaws created such terror of sharks in the audience, that the film’s tag line “Don’t go into the water” became a mantra for those afraid of venturing into the ocean in case they encountered the dreaded predator. In The Rental, director Dave Franco might be resurrecting a bit of that same anxiety; but instead of aquatic peril, he has turned his focus to the possible threats of rental properties.

“It is not my intention to inspire fear in the home renting business,” laughs the 35-year-old native Californian, who is making his feature directorial debut with the film. “I just wanted to explore the question of why we subject ourselves to scenarios where we might put ourselves in harm’s way. ‘We are staying under the roof of a total stranger.’ What could go wrong?”

The film follows two couples who rent a cliffside weekend getaway, only to discover that their privacy is not what they had hoped for. Not only is someone watching them, but someone might be out to kill them as well.

Though most audiences know Franco from his comedic acting turns in such films as 21 Jump Street, Now You See Me, Neighbors and The Disaster Artist, the novice director knew he might surprise fans by choosing to helm a thriller/horror movie; he explains that he saw the choice as an opportunity to pursue a more serious exploration of the genre, following as it did in the still fresh footsteps of Jordan Peele, Sophia Takal, Ari Aster and Nia DaCosta.

“As a viewer and a fan,” Franco noted during a recent interview, “there is nothing I like more than a smart genre film. I like a film that takes its scares seriously but also prioritizes everything else – like the acting (which in the case of “The Rental”, includes the work of his wife, Alison Brie), the music, and the production design. While some of the more classic horror films relied on cheap jump scares, I think the new auteurs are creating an atmosphere where they take their time to let the fear creep up on you.”

As fear plays such an important role in the film, one wonders what were the films or TV shows that frightened him in his childhood?

“The first ones that come to mind were Candyman and It, the mini-series,” he reveals. “I was so terrified by It when Pennywise came out of the drain. For a week after seeing it, I took all my showers in my bathing suit with the door open. I might have needed my parents to come to save me.”

Growing up in Palo Alto, Dave, the youngest of the three Franco brothers (his older siblings being Tom and Golden Globe Award-winning James), always had a love for movies but had never had an intention to pursue a career in front of the camera. However, while he was attending USC, a group of friends coerced him into an acting class, and, although nervous and scared, he nevertheless managed to put himself out there and overcome his shyness in order to perform.

The Rental does not call upon Franco’s acting skills. Initially, he was planning to act in the movie but has also co-written the screenplay, he soon realized that he knew the story so well, and had so clear a vision for it, that he felt it was time for him to step behind the camera instead.

Hopefully, there will be viewers out there who will be terrified by what they see in The Rental. If so, make sure to keep the door open.