This a truly independent film; every one who gave money got an exec producer credit. At 20 E.P. credits in the opening credit reel it is a Hollywood record.
Because the film's budget was so low, there were really only one or two takes for each scene. Oscar Isaac found this be both challenging and very refreshing.
For scheduling conflicts Shia LaBeouf dropped off the project, Nicolas Cage who is a close friend of Paul Schrader recommended Tye Sheridan to play Cirk as they previously collaborated on Joe (2013).
The motivations for why Oscar Isaac's character wraps his motel room furniture in white cloth are never really explained. However, it stems from when Paul Schrader made Cat People (1982). His production designer, Ferdinando Scarfiotti, did exactly the same thing as he was so offended by the blandness of American motels and their interior decor.
To prep for his part, Oscar Isaac not only met with professional card players but also took a course in penmanship (his character writes longhand in his diary every night).