Interview with Andy Greskoviak, Screenwriter of 2025’s Marshmallow

By: Myriam Akbar

Recently I had the opportunity to interview screenwriter Andy Greskoviak about his film Marshmallow, directed by Daniel DelPurgatorio. We dove into his passion for filmmaking, inspiration for film, and the themes explored throughout it. The plot of this sci-fi horror film follows children at a summer camp investigating an urban legend-like mad scientist. It’s currently available to stream on Shudder and rightfully receiving the recognition that it deserves. Like myself, viewers are raving about the inventive and unexpected nature of the third act’s unforgettable twist. 

Greskoviak has been living in Los Angeles for the last decade; however, he was born and raised in Illinois–something he’s proud of. When asked about his personal relationship to cinema, he said, “Movies are the closest thing I’ve ever had to religion.” Like many of us who love film, that love began during childhood and this was no different for him. He recalls enjoying the feeling of being scared by the television series Goosebumps and gravitating towards stories that centered kids going on adventures. His father traveled a lot while he was growing up, but when he was home they spent a lot of time at the theater. Some of his favorite films are The Goonies, The Monster Squad, and Stand By Me.  “I fell in love with Star Wars and Jurassic Park early on and can distinctly remember my surprise when I learned that they were created from human imagination,” Greskoviak shares. 

His desire to tell stories through film also stems from childhood. He remembers the times he would continue the narrative of an episode of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, using action figures to act out scenes. At age twelve he was gifted a camcorder from his grandmother for his birthday, which helped him get through a rough moment in his life. His best friend at the time ended their friendship; however, the camcorder led to him discovering a new friendship. He and his brother, along with this “tall kid from across the street” began bouncing ideas off of each other and filming whatever came to mind. “That tall kid? He’s been my best friend for 25 years. And my ex-best friend? He keeps requesting me on LinkedIn and I’m not accepting it,” says Greskoviak. His uncle worked as an independent film editor in Chicago, so he edited their footage together to make complete projects. The group held premieres for their films in a basement, inviting all the neighborhood kids over to watch. “Completing those shorts was so much more exciting and rewarding than, say–homework,” he says. 

Years later, Greskoviak began attending DePaul University’s Film School, where he focused on screenwriting and simultaneously worked at ToysRUs. This job actually inspired his first script for his film Black Friday. He moved out of Illinois to live in California in 2016, at this time focusing on editing and sending out the script. One of the filmmakers he sent it to was Casey Tebo, who was excited about the project and got the ball rolling. “It was on Black Friday when I met Warner Davis, who produced Marshmallow,” he shares. He recommends watching Black Friday during the holidays, but the film is currently available to stream on several platforms. Although the wait is tempting, I don’t think I’ll make it a year.

As someone who avidly watched Goosebumps as a child and still plays the old seasons, I see the way Greskoviak’s love for the series translates to his own work. Marshmallow truly feels like an expanded episode of the show; however, with more stakes and made for a broader audience. When asked about his inspiration for the film, he said it was his personal childhood anxieties and the fear that comes with facing them. “When I was 12, the world felt like a haunted house. Every day I was learning something new and that terrified me. But the scariest part was that I’d have to find a way through it, rather than run from it. That's really where it all started–a horror movie about how weird it is to be twelve,” he says. Greskoviak was motivated to tell this story because many of the films he loved as a child centered on youth. Sleepaway Camp and Friday the 13th also inspired it, which is shown through its slasheresque formula.  

Two of the main themes explored in Marshmallow are identity and the mysteries of adulthood, brought on by Greskoviak's experience of being diagnosed with OCD in middle school. His reflection on how that impacted his outlook on life is implemented in the script. “I asked the doctor what the cure was and he explained that there was no cure, only maintenance. I think that’s sort’ve where the ending came from–the realization that the secrets of growing up are a lot less salacious than they are brutal. You want the answers? Fine, they’re very complicated,” he says. Another theme is unwanted memories and his own exceptional memory played a role in how he approached it while writing. “I’ve always referred to it as a curse. I always wanted to start this screenplay with meeting Morgan (the film’s main protagonist) shortly before he’d be changed forever,” he says. 

Greskoviak attended the world premiere of Marshmallow at Panic Fest in Kansas City, feeling privileged to have done so. He also introduced the film in the Odeon Leicester Square at FrightFest UK. “It was wild. I’m so happy my wife was there with me,  otherwise I don’t think anyone would believe I did that,” he says. Overall, the team behind the project was just happy it got made and couldn’t wait to share the final product. “Also, I was sitting on the twist for 4 years leading up to the film’s release,” he admits. He describes the success of Marshmallow as warming and rewarding in a way that’s hard to describe. “It was such a special project and it was a good 18 hours before we understood that audiences had enjoyed it,” says Greskoviak. 

Although he can only disclose so much, he says that he’s working on some exciting stuff. “What I will say is that I love the horror space. I love genre and genre-bending. And truthfully I really, really love working with Danny DelPurgatorio. So I’d love to make that happen again and soon,” Greskoviak shares. One piece of information has become public knowledge and it’s something I was hoping for given the final scene of Marshmallow. The film’s getting a sequel! Since the news broke, the internet has been expressing nothing but pure joy and anticipation. 

Lastly, I asked Greskociak what pieces of advice he would give aspiring filmmakers like myself. He says, “Keep going. I know that’s the most trite and annoying piece of advice, but I’ve hit countless dead-ends that have truly felt like the end of the road. I’ve wanted to quit, but I’ve always been really fortunate to have a few voices in my life to keep pushing me.”