Inspired by memories from his childhood and interest in supernatural events, Myrick wrote the premise to be a "character study" comparable to the real-world psychological trauma and life-long experiences of alien abductees.

[4] Based on his interest and fascination in science fiction-based activity from his childhood, Myrick wrote the script as a character-study story after researching the topic of the film.

Myrick studied real-world self-proclaimed alien abductees Barney and Betty Hill, as well as read books detailing abduction by extraterrestrials including Messengers and Communion.

This filming style was chosen after consideration over traditional photography, by the filmmaker, as he felt like it gave him and the actors creative freedom with improvisational flexibility.

[5] The film was met with a mixed reception, with critiques targeting the pacing, as well as the "exhausted" sub-genre in horror, stating that it does not reach "the spooky heights to which it aspires";[4] while praising the realistic and "touching" story of an "all-too-real examination of the way a single childhood incident can infect an entire life".