The latest revival in horror could not be complete without one of the most fan-favorite cult movies. This time Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez portray Maya and Ryan in The Strangers: Chapter 1, paying homage to the 2008 movie and bringing back the original characters, Pin-Up Girl, Dollface, and Scarecrow.
HOLA! had the opportunity to talk with the two actors, with Madelaine solidifying her status as a Scream Queen and Final Girl in the first installment of the franchise, and Froy detailing the physical preparation for the intense chasing scenes. Check out the full interview.
When it comes to preparing for a horror movie, is there a difference between preparing for maybe a rom-com or s comedy or just a different type of project?
Madelaine: I wouldn’t say so. It’s not so present in my mind that I’m shooting a horror film, but I do think when you’re shooting a horror film, you have to be kind of ready for anything and be present in every given moment in case something happens. And so to be as grounded in your circumstances as possible and be as familiar with your character as possible would be, I guess what I did. But I kind of feel like I do that for every movie so stamina maybe, running more than usual.
Is there something specific that you do to get into the character before filming a scene?
Madelaine: It just depends on the day. I definitely did lean towards meditating, especially after a very stressful day. The previous day, meditation was very helpful, but I was also, I’d wake up in the morning and do notes on the previous day of what we had just shot, so I could remember the headspace when we go back and shoot the previous scene before the scene that’s following it as well. That was very helpful.
Froy: I think music can be such a helpful tool to get you into an emotional landscape, but I found that I didn’t really have to use it that much for this movie because of the set decoration and because what was happening, it was already so loud in that way. And I think for me, it was about, I guess kind of dropping into the adrenaline of it. So if we’re coming into the house from a scene that we just shot outside, I would do pushups so I would be out of breath and things like that. A lot more physical in nature.
Is there a special memory that comes to mind while filming the movie?
Madelaine: I have a lot of special memories from filming the movie. I am an executive producer on the film, and I think the first time that I sat with Courtney and Renny, and was like I’d love to see if we could add this shower scene, which was something that I came up with and it being so collaborative and special. I think that moment of being so welcomed, was very special to me, and it was continued throughout the entire film.
If you could give a happy ending to your characters, what would it be?
Madelaine: That they end up together.
Ryan: They end up together. Couples counseling.
Madelaine: We don’t need couples counseling.
Ryan: Well, they don’t need it, but... As they evolve and grow and going through the trauma of whatever happened.
Madelaine: Well, yes, as they evolve and grow. Just like them ending up in Portland and her getting the job.
Ryan: Just both of them getting their dream jobs and living. Staying together.
Madelaine: Staying together. And happy.
Ryan: Making new friends.
Madelaine: less blood.
Ryan: Much less blood.
Strangers has been a fan-favorite movie since the first one came out, do you have a top three favorite horror movies of all time?
Madelaine: This is going to be tough, but I promise you this is my answer long before I made these movies, but The Strangers is up there. I love Climax by Gaspar Noé. I think it’s one of the most bone-chilling films of all time. And I would probably say some sort of shark movie. So like 47 Meters Down or Deep Blue Sea, which Renny Harlin did or The Meg, like something kind of more fun and camp.
Ryan: I’m not an aficionado the way that she is, but from what I’ve seen, I’d have to say Midsommar, The Witch and Annihilation.
Madelaine: Those are great choices for the record.
Ryan: Thank you. I appreciate it.
There’s a list of iconic scream queens in horror movies. How does it feel to be part of this list and who is your favorite Scream Queen?
Madelaine: Am I a part of this list now? Oh my goodness. Wow. That was not an objective of mine, but I’m very happy to be on it. I feel like all of the obvious. Like Jamie Lee Curtis and Neve Campbell, and I mean even Drew Barrymore. I think all of them. What a cool and iconic list to be a part of. Liv Tyler and the list goes on of incredible actresses who are part of this little group. It’s growing. Our family’s growing by the day, I guess.
You are also a Final Girl in the movie. What do you think fans can expect from Maya in the sequel?
Madelaine: Well, Final Girl I feel like is starting to evolve a little bit in a really interesting way. I think we’re starting to see Final Girls that are very headstrong and independent and very easily execute their wishes. And that’s what I think Maya does so brilliantly. But also, you see a huge departure from the Maya that you know in movie one by the end of the movie and I think she will in theory regenerate a new version of the Final Girl, which really excites me.