Discover the Haunting Humanity Behind the Horror in ‘The Surrender’!

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In “The Surrender,” actors Colby Minifie and Kate Burton, under the guidance of writer/director Julia Max, delved deep into portraying something profoundly human within a horror drama infused with supernatural elements. The narrative revolves around Megan and Barbara, who grapple with the deteriorating health of their family’s patriarch. As Megan mourns, she is unsettled by the revelation of how deeply Barbara has delved into the supernatural realm, and her desperate attempts to resurrect her husband in one of the most chilling summer film releases of 2025.

In an interview with Ebaster, actors Julia Max, Colby Minifie, and Kat Burton talked about discovering relatable human emotions amidst the eerie horror elements in the movie The Surrender. They also mentioned that treating the script as a play rather than a film helped enhance their performances. The actresses discussed the lengths they went to portray the complex relationship between their grieving mother and daughter characters.

The Back And Forth Of The Surrender

“This Entire Production Was… An Amazing Experience”

The film ‘The Surrender’ primarily revolves around the dynamic between its two main characters, Megan and Barbara, portrayed by Colby Minifie and Kate Burton. Fortunately for director Julia Max, she was able to bring these talented actresses on board. As Minifie put it, “We clicked instantly“. “We spent countless hours conversing, chatting, often finding ourselves in each other’s dressing rooms. I was fortunate that Kate allowed me to spend hours talking with her in her dressing room.

Minifie found it rewarding to delve into the impact Julia’s writing had on the movie. She praised the script as “exceptionally brilliant, with a play-like feel.” Since Kate and she are both theater veterans, having a week of rehearsal was an exceptional blessing for them.

Kate Burton still vividly remembers her meeting with Julia and her representatives regarding the movie, and her initial query was about who had been chosen to portray Megan. Upon discovering that Colby would be in this role, Burton grew progressively enthusiastic about the production. “Colby is spot-on,” Burton stated, pointing out how the ambiance created by Julia and the other filmmakers on set fostered an “exceptionally collaborative environment. We rehearsed for a week, and it felt almost like natural respiration for us.

When we began filming, we had thoroughly practiced and experimented with the script beforehand. Julia welcomed our input, which she graciously accepted. It might sound cliché, but we gelled as a team from the first day, and by the time we were shooting, we were deeply immersed in it. Colby and I have worked on numerous shows throughout our careers, witnessing changes and setbacks. This entire production was truly remarkable because such experiences are not common for us.

We’re the main characters, and we have the chance to craft the narrative. One aspect that appealed to me about the script since my initial conversation with Julia, is its unique blend. Initially, it portrays a domestic situation between a mother and daughter, a common theme in dealing with a father’s demise. But then, it transforms into a chilling horror tale! Although I have extensive experience in domestic dramas, the horror genre is less familiar to me. The predictable part was comforting, while the unexpected twist was thrilling.

Julia Max’s Approach To The Surrender As Her First Feature-Length Film

“[The Surrender] Lives Or Dies By The Actors.”

The film titled “The Surrender” is Julia Max’s first full-length production, serving as both writer and director. This is a significant step for Max, who has primarily worked on shorter films in the past. The narrative primarily explores the intricate relationship between Mary and Barbara, with the boundaries of reality subtly becoming indistinct. “Given that it’s my first feature film,” Max shared, I feel like you have to really go for broke.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have collaborated with the exceptional talents of Kate and Colby on this project. Without their unparalleled skills, this film simply wouldn’t have been half as effective. From the outset, we recognized that this film’s success hinged heavily on execution, as its unique blend of horror elements relied greatly on the performances of our actors. As soon as they joined our team, I knew we had accomplished the hardest part.

This movie transcends a single horror genre, offering a chilling narrative centered around a grieving mother and daughter. It masterfully employs an eerie atmosphere, startling jump scares, and strategically placed gore to create an impactful horror experience.

While contemplating how to blend various elements of fear into a unified narrative, Max underscored that an earthy component was crucial. In his view, without it, horror would lose its impact. They were mindful of this during the initial act, as they needed to establish authenticity. After all, everyone encounters such situations at some point in their lives. It’s a reality many have experienced before, making it essential for creating a convincing portrayal of the real world.

As a film enthusiast, I find myself utterly captivated by Colby and Kate. Their unwavering dedication at every stage of the process is nothing short of essential. If they didn’t invest themselves so deeply, it could feel contrived when things begin to unravel. But because they’ve poured so much into their roles, I can’t help but believe that these are genuine individuals living through the highs and lows of their characters. I am truly in awe of both of them.

Finding Humanity In Horror In The Surrender

“Especially If You’re Working On Something Like The Boys Or The Walking Dead, You Get Used To Having To Ground Really Wild Situations…”

In the newest horror offering, “The Surrender,” we delve into intense, authentic themes from a chilling perspective. Mixing genres and uncovering the heartfelt humanity amidst the turmoil is nothing novel for either Milifie or Burton. They’ve both showcased their impressive acting skills in dramatic roles, yet they’ve also been part of flamboyant productions that blur the boundaries of reality – such as Burton’s iconic role in “Big Trouble in Little China” and Milifie’s stellar performances in “The Boys.

In response to being queried if her method for creating characters gets influenced by the genre or the environment in which her characters reside, Milifie confessed that “It may sound unusual, but there’s no significant distinction for me. I spent my childhood playing dress-up with my sister, and later turned it into a profession” reflects her way of work. Maintaining that spirit of playfulness and exploration is fundamental to Milifie’s approach to character development, irrespective of the genre she delves into.

My preferred activity is immersing myself in fictional scenarios and engaging in playful interactions with those who are open to it. For me, [The Surrender] was much the same. Even when working on projects like The Boys or The Walking Dead, where you have to make the extraordinary seem plausible by considering what could be real about such extreme situations and how I would react if I were in them, this process is more of a delight than it alters my approach.

Regarding “The Boys,” a series nearing its fifth and final season, Milifie couldn’t help but praise the creative team behind it. She shared that she had just finished reading the finale the previous night, stating that it was “extremely fulfilling” and that was all she could say about it. The finale left her emotional while reading it. Similar to her work on the superhero satire, Milifie emphasized that films like “The Surrender” are effective only when they are rooted in reality.

If we think it’s based in relatable experiences and truth, it tends to resonate. For instance, I have a frustrating boss who drives me up the wall, just like in “The Surrender” where the character is struggling with their mom. She’s grieving the loss of their dad and wants him back, which feels painfully real and opens up a whole world of emotion. Burton shares this viewpoint, expressing that as actors, we constantly examine different genres to see how they fit our roles.

For several decades now, my field of work has become deeply ingrained within me. In essence, I’ve been the leading figure in hour-long television dramas for quite some time. However, I have also ventured into other genres. I tried my hand at sci-fi, worked on a few projects in Vancouver, and was part of Charmed and Supergirl. My initial film experience was Big Trouble in Little China! It’s fascinating to think that while making this movie, it would become such an iconic cult classic four decades later.

In Colby’s perspective, one immerses oneself in a tale, its characters, and the plot, only to later discern the genre. It’s such a delightful experience to craft this captivating story that Julia has conceived. I’ve collaborated with some novice feature film directors, but Julia’s attention to detail in her work is truly remarkable.

This film is quite substantial, and we managed to complete it within 18 days of shooting. Other productions, which lasted over eight weeks, are not as grand as this one. It’s always thrilling for me when we can convey a tale in such an efficient manner, straight to the point. There’s no unnecessary delays or fussing around. I found it invigorating to be part of its creation.

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2025-05-21 03:08