Intuitively finding ways to fight the menacing evil that’s traumatically invading your life can be a terrifying experience for many people. However, instinctively fighting back against your frightening intruders is a natural process for motivated protagonists who embrace the challenge of guarding the people they love. That drive to defend your family is grippingly showcased in the main character in the upcoming independent horror thriller, ‘The Diabolical,’ which is set to be released in theaters and on VOD and iTunes next Friday, October 16. Ali Larter enthrallingly plays a mother who’s determined to protect her young children from a threatening presence that wishes to cause them harm in the movie, which was co-written and directed by first-time feature filmmaker, Alistair Legrand.
‘The Diabolical’ follows Madison (Larter), the divorced mother of two children, Jacob (Max Rose) and his younger sister Haley (Chloe Perrin), as they’re awoken nightly in their quiet suburban home by an increasingly strange and threatening presence. She soon discovers that the disturbing presence is a human-looking apparition that’s simply known as The Prisoner (Kurt Carley), who refuses to let her and her family leave the house. Madison then receives more unsettling news when she’s given notice from Austin (Patrick Fischler), who represents the bank that owns her home, that she must immediately catch up on her payments, or she’ll be forced into foreclosure and have to move out. In order to save their home and protect her children, Madison desperately seeks help from her scientist boyfriend, Nikolai (Arjun Gupta), who begins a hunt to destroy the violent spirit that paranormal experts are too frightened to undertake.
Larter generously took the time to talk about starring in ‘The Diabolical’ during an exclusive phone interview. Among other things, the actress discussed how she was instantly drawn to play Madison after she read the horror thriller’s script, as Legrand created a character who had to dig deep inside herself in order to trust her own instincts, and become the mother that she should be; that while this is the first low budget independent film she has starred in, she fully embraced the opportunity to truly connect with her strong-willed character, as well as the rest of the cast and crew, during their short shooting schedule; and how she appreciates the opportunity to reunite with fellow actress Milla Jovovich on the South African set of their upcoming sci-fi action-horror sequel, ‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.’
ShockYa (SY): You play Madison in the upcoming horror thriller, ‘The Diabolical.’ What was it about the character, as well as the script overall, that convinced you to take on the role?
Ali Larter (AL): When I read the script, I felt like what Alistair did was take the things that work in modern horror films, and merged them with elements from ’80s (Steven) Spielberg movies. (laughs) Alistair really wanted to bring in the family element into this film. So in that way, he created the character of Madison, who’s a single mom, and whose son is struggling. She really has to dig deep inside herself in order to trust her own instincts. That’s the journey you really see in her; she’s becoming a survivor, as well as the woman and mother that she should be.
SY: Speaking of Alistair, he made his feature film writing and directorial debuts on the sci-fi film. What was your collaboration process like with him as you were shooting the thriller, especially since he’s a new scribe and helmer?
AL: As an actor, there’s definitely a risk and reward in working with a first-time filmmaker. When I was brought the script, it definitely enticed me. When we finally did meet, Alistair had this Bible for the movie, and how he wanted to lay it out, and how he saw it. He also played me some of the music that he wanted to include in the film. He also showed me some of his short films, which are really beautiful and haunting.
He really cares about the characters; for him, it wasn’t just about creating the thrills. He wanted to make sure that we really felt for this mother, and would really root for this family. So I think having that attention to detail is really going to help him have a long career.
SY: Since the story in ‘The Diabolical’ thrives so much on the relationships between Madison and her children, Haley and Jacob, how did you build your bonds with Chloe Perrin and Max Rose, the actors who played them?
AL: It was a great experience. I had Max and Chloe come over, and we went hiking up in the canyon, and also make cookies. We also hung out on the set every day. I would bring my son and dog to set, and we would all play and hang out together. That’s something that’s incredibly important.
Also, in the casting of children, you have to make sure that you don’t get that cotton candy child. These two kids were real and raw. If you don’t believe them (in the film), then you won’t be able to go on this journey with the family.
SY: What was the process of filming ‘The Diabolical’ independently? Does making a movie independently influence your creative process as an actress?
AL: Yes, this is definitely the first true lower budget film I’ve worked on. Everyone was there because they wanted to make the movie. I don’t approach projects differently, because my approach as an actress doesn’t depend on the budget of the film.
But what having that lower budget means does mean is that you have to film more quickly. You have to be on a different level of preparation, and trust your instincts even more. So that’s definitely comes into play for the overall shoot. There were definitely mornings where I was buying egg sandwiches for the crew. (laughs)
SY: A majority of the thriller takes place in the home Madison shares with her children, and you shot the film in a real house. Do you prefer working on location, as opposed to a soundstage, and how does the process influence the way you approach playing your roles?
AL: The house is almost its own character in the film. So what’s really interesting about it is that it wasn’t a set; it was a real house that had a true feeling to it. I think that’s what really added the spookiness and eeriness to the movie. Since the stairs were real, for example, we had to be more careful that we didn’t bump into the cameras while we were filming the shots on the steps. So the shooting process was definitely a lot more renegade.
SY: Like you mentioned earlier, Alistair likes to incorporate intriguing music into its story to increase terror in the characters and viewers. As an actress, how mindful are you of a project’s score, and how does it influence your performance? Did you discuss the tone of what the music would sound like with Alistair while you were filming?
AL: I absolutely do think the music influences the overall film. Alistair gave me a lot of music to listen to before we began filming. Alistair loves the process of directing, and I love the process of working with directors on all aspects of filmmaking. So all the information he could give me, including his thoughts on how to create this character, was incredibly useful. I really thought the music he chose was unbelievable and gorgeous.
SY: The film features several action sequences and stunts as Madison tries to protect her children. How important is it to you to incorporate that physicality into your roles, especially in a horror film like ‘The Diabolical?’ Do you prefer performing your own stunts on your projects?
AL: I love doing stunts. I was a tomboy growing up, and played sports my whole life. I definitely don’t have the grace of a dancer, (laughs) but I have the athleticism of an athlete. The roles for women change every year, and are becoming better and better. So for me, I don’t want someone to come in and do something that I can do myself.
SY: Like the shots on the stairs in the house that you mentioned earlier, the horror film features unique camera movements as the story emphasizes the scares that Madison and her children are experiencing. How did the physicality, as well as filming in one location, influence the way you worked with the camera, as well as the film’s cinematographer, John Frost?
AL: I thought he was so gifted and talented. I think the movie looks really beautiful. I love the underlining blue color, and think it looks really gorgeous. So he did a really great job.
Everyone who worked on the film did a great job. We shot the entire movie in about 23 days. So the crew was expertly able to achieve the goals that they set, which is amazing when you’re making a small, independent film.
SY: ‘The Diabolical’ is set to be released in theaters and on VOD and iTunes on October 16. With the way independent films are being distributed and viewed in recent years, why do you think the VOD platform is beneficial to movies like this one?
AL: I absolutely think it’s beneficial. People are busier than ever, so however they can get films, they will. I love going to the theater, but it is harder than ever, since I have two kids. Whenever you go to the theater, you can spend $60 on just the babysitter. (laughs) So I understand that struggle, and think Video On Demand is really helpful in that sense. I will always love going into a theater, but VOD is a great way to get movies seen by more viewers.
SY: The sci-fi movie had its world premiere at this year’s SXSW. What type of reactions have you received since the supernatural horror film played at the festival?
AL: People really seemed to have loved it. Alistair was able to go down there, but I unfortunately wasn’t able to go-I was still nursing my new little baby. I think people not only responded to the film’s story about this mother, but also the fact that it features this really original horror story.
SY: Besides ‘The Diabolical,’ you have starred in several horror films throughout your career, including the first two ‘Final Destination’ movies, as well as ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ and ‘House on Haunted Hill.’ What is it about the genre that you enjoy acting in it?
AL: I feel really lucky and blessed to be able to play characters who inspire me in a genre that’s so interesting.
SY: Would you be interested in appearing in a sequel to ‘The Diabolical,’ if that opportunity came about?
AL: That would be amazing, as I think this movie is so special. I feel like when audiences go to see it, they’re really going to connect with the fact that she’s a single mother who’s struggling. She will do anything to take care of her kids. Alistair also found this great way to weave technology into the story, which I also think makes the film really original, and further opens the potential to make a sequel.
SY: Besides films, you have also appeared on several television shows throughout your career. What is it about TV series that you enjoy acting on, as well?
AL: I really feel blessed to be offered these opportunities to play interesting characters in both mediums. Television is actually becoming richer and richer as the years go by. I’m now getting ready to take this show out that has a character that I created and really want to explore. There are so many things that I want to comment on as a mother, as well as a woman in Hollywood, so being able to do so through acting on both television and in films is pretty exciting to me.
SY: Are you interested in pursuing directing and producing, in addition to acting, in the future?
AL: Yes-I’m actually producing my own cooking show, because I love to cook. What’s interesting about the world right now is that we don’t need to be in a box. We can live big, and do what whatever our passion is. If you have the energy, you can go and create it. That’s why I really feel so lucky right now-I get to explore all of these different creative aspects of my life.
SY: Besides ‘The Diabolical,’ do you have any other upcoming projects lined up that you can discuss?
AL: I’m (currently in) South Africa, as I’m reprising my role of Claire Redfield (in ‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter’). I’m so excited about it, because it’s the third (‘Resident Evil’) film that I’m in. For me, it’s about taking on fierce female characters who are kicking ass. I’m excited to (be on set) with Milla (Jovovich) again. It’s been a couple years since (the last ‘Resident Evil’ film I was in was released), and I’m excited to be on that adventure again.
Read Shockya’s exclusive interview with Ross Dinerstein, who served as one of ‘The Diabolical’s producers, and spoke with us before the horror thriller had its World Premiere during SXSW’s Midnighters Section this past March.
Written by: Karen Benardello