Ari Aster wrote a contemporary Western script long before the COVID-19 pandemic began and was initially planning to make it his directorial debut. He tried for quite a few years to get it made, but he ultimately decided to shelve it and make Hérédité (2018) his debut. He confirmed during Beau Is Afraid (2023)'s press tour that this script would more than likely be his fourth feature, and it was updated to fit a post-2020 lens.
Christopher Abbott was originally cast but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with Wolf Man (2025). He was replaced by Austin Butler.
Ari Aster's first feature film not to have cinematography by Pawel Pogorzelski. Darius Khondji served as director of photography instead.
One of three 2025 releases shot by Iranian cinematographer Darius Khondji, with the other titles being Mickey 17 (2025) and Marty Supreme (2025).
Emma Stone also starred in the Showtime original series The Curse (2023). Like this film, the show takes place in a small New Mexico town, and involves indigenous land rights issues & performative social justice posturing.