Your Monster’s Melissa Barrera on trusting her Scream team, ‘mortifying’ shoots and wanting to become the villain

As a fan who’s been hooked on horror since my days of hiding under the blanket during Ghostface’s chilling screams, I can’t help but admire Melissa Barrera‘s courage and versatility. From battling supernatural creatures to facing her own fears of meeting new people, she’s truly a modern-day scream queen!

She’s been stabbed by Ghostface, haunted by a dead serial killer, attacked by a vampire ballerina – but what really scares Melissa Barrera, star of new horror/romcom (horromcom?) Your Monster, is something far more relatable: meeting new people.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the dynamic duo, Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett), for quite some time now, contributing to two Scream films and this year’s Abigail. Over these years, I’ve grown accustomed to feeling at ease, whether I’m on the other side of the camera or behind it.

Speaking candidly, Barrera, known for his significant role in the horror genre with movies like those produced by Radio Silence and now Your Monster, acknowledges that venturing beyond his familiar territory into fresh projects can be quite intimidating.

While few of us have stared down sharp knives, teeth or claws, most can at least relate to that.

Entering a new environment can be quite intimidating, as I’ve been working closely with the same team for the past three years, essentially forming a familiar group of colleagues.

Currently, I’m filming this program in Toronto for Peacock. Upon arrival, I found myself in an unfamiliar situation: I didn’t recognize anyone. Instantly, I felt a pang of awkwardness, as I’ve grown accustomed to being surrounded by familiar faces.

I’m accustomed to attending events where I recognize most faces, so it was quite a surprise. It’s exciting, really, as you meet new people and forge fresh connections. However, it can be nerve-wracking because you never know if you’ll click or work smoothly together.

“It’s a coin toss. And you hope that you do and then everything flows, but you never really know.”

Fortunately for Barrera, the coin flip turned out favorably regarding Your Monster, an ardent creative endeavor by writer-director Caroline Lindy. This film portrays Lucy’s peculiar bond with a creature residing in her wardrobe (portrayed by Tommy Dewey). Amidst her cancer recovery journey and pursuit of success on Broadway, she navigates this unusual connection. Quite weighty material indeed.

Suiting its outlandish nature, the entertaining fresh movie combines aspects of terror, humor, and melodrama seamlessly – a combination that proved irresistible to Barrera, effectively pushing aside any traces of social awkwardness.

When I received the script, it felt as if I had summoned it myself from all of my passions, and then it appeared in my email. This left me questioning if someone was playing a trick on me or if something strange was happening because it was precisely what I wanted to create.

Fortunately, the exhilaration persisted throughout the entire filming process. As Barrera confides, “It’s likely the most enjoyable experience I’ve ever had on a film set. I was simply laughing my way through the day.

As a cinephile, I must admit that this film did not challenge me intellectually, but it certainly brought an effortless charm to the table. The narrative seemed to glide smoothly, and the humor was infectious – it had us chuckling from start to finish. All in all, it was a delightful experience filled with laughter and joy.

The Mexican actor often attributes the success of his performance to up-and-coming actress Lindy, who skillfully maintained a lighthearted atmosphere on set that mirrored the playful narrative unfolding in the film.

I observed that Caroline excelled as a captain. She’s incredibly skillful and empathetic, which makes her an ideal leader for actors. Her understanding of our craft allows her to communicate effectively with us, manage our dynamics, provide us with the necessary space, and, when required, stimulate us to reach our potential.

“And so it was a beautiful, very wonderful place to work.”

Despite Barrera’s reputation for stories involving violence and chaos, where she openly acknowledges her fascination with “pain and distress” in her acting roles, she consistently seeks an element of enjoyment in all her projects – a factor that contributes significantly to her ongoing partnership with Radio Silence, as they create an environment more akin to play rather than traditional work.

The aim is to discover companions with whom I can work harmoniously, share an unspoken understanding, rely upon, and who reciprocate that trust. Ideally, we would embark on various exciting journeys together, which sounds appealing.

As a kid, I used to frequently watch Adam Sandler collaborate with the same group of people repeatedly. This made me think, “Wow, that must be amazing. They’re just working with their friends. I wish I could have that too.

Now, after working on three movies with Matt and Tyler, I find myself developing a similar connection as well.

It’s unfortunate that due to controversy surrounding her social media comments about the Palestine conflict, Barrera won’t be back for Scream 7, and neither will Radio Silence – a team I had hoped to collaborate with again someday. Although this project has moved on without us, I’m eager to work with them in the future, maybe even giving them a taste of their own “pain and suffering” – who knows? Perhaps we could do something similar with Samara Weaving in Ready or Not 2.

She suggests that joining them for a few days could be quite enjoyable, and perhaps we might engage in some activities together,” she playfully hints.

In the first instance, it seemed everyone played a villain’s role, but not Grace, played by Weaving. I find that idea quite appealing.

If given her chance, Melissa ‘The Villain’ Barrera might be poised for greater fame, considering her past roles as the tormented heroine.

As a cinephile, I don’t limit my aspirations to the chilling realm of horror alone. Instead, I yearn to challenge and redefine even the most endearing characters, not just Grace Le Domas, in genres that are as heartwarming as they are captivating.

“I would love to be an epic Disney villain type. Just iconic. Just evil,” she smiles.

It’s refreshing for me when characters are purely evil with no justification or complex backstory. In today’s stories, we often see attempts to explain a villain’s behavior, but I appreciate it when they are simply wicked without any hidden agenda.

Elsa and Moana should stay on their guard – after enduring years of harassment by Ghostface, Barrera is now determined to seek revenge with no fear of social awkwardness holding her back.

2024-11-29 15:37

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