Director Jeffrey Reiner drew inspiration from classic noir films and gives a nod to Assurance sur la mort (1944) with Shea Whigham's character Don's profession and his entanglement with a femme fatale named Phyllis portrayed by Carrie Coon.
Carrie Coon and Shea Whigham are reunited for the first time since co-starring in season 3 of Fargo (2014).