Hold Your Breath Star Annaleigh Ashford Talks Immersing Herself in Terror

As someone who appreciates the dedication that goes into bringing historical stories to life authentically, I am incredibly excited about the upcoming release of “Hold Your Breath” on Hulu. Annaleigh Ashford‘s experiences during filming, including battling real dust storms and sharing her space with uninvited critters, truly underscore the authenticity this production aims to achieve.

In the process of playing a character set in a time period other than the present, an actor encounters several hurdles that they need to navigate to convincingly embody their role. For instance, Annaleigh Ashford had to journey back a hundred years for the upcoming movie Hold Your Breath, which takes place during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma. Despite the difficulties posed by the authentic filming locations that closely resembled the harsh conditions portrayed in the script, certain aspects of her performance seemed quite effortless due to their striking similarity to the real-life circumstances. The movie Hold Your Breath will premiere on Hulu on October 3rd.

Ashford shared some unforgettable challenges during filming, describing moments that were downright awkward. The entire production was so grime-filled that at one point, Ashford even removed her dress in her trailer and found a cricket hiding inside! She couldn’t tell how long the cricket had been there, but it certainly added to the griminess of the set. To top it off, they also prepared the land for the house, and nature retaliated by sending a sandstorm our way, making the filming process even more messy and challenging.

In the 1930s dust storm-plagued Oklahoma, a woman named Sarah Paulson believes an ominous force is endangering her family. Joining her in this chilling tale are Amiah Miller (known for “My Best Friend’s Exorcism”) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”). The movie was penned and jointly directed by Karrie Crouse (of “Westworld”) and Will Joines.

Instead of making “Hold Your Breath” a suspenseful and tense ordeal merely due to its environmental factors, the intricate way multiple themes intertwine within it amplifies the dramatic impact of the narrative’s progression. Ashford expressed her thoughts on which themes of the movie struck a chord with her and ignited her enthusiasm for the production.

As a gamer, I found it captivating how the film portrays the struggles of women during the Dust Bowl era, mirroring the harsh realities they faced when left alone for extended periods while their husbands sought work. The lack of support they endured is painfully relevant, and two striking themes emerged: the Dust Bowl being a man-made climate catastrophe, a century old, that many are unaware of, and our current predicament of facing man-made environmental disasters. It’s as if the film is warning us: when we harm the Earth, she speaks up.

As a gamer immersed in this game, I must say, the concept that captivated me the most was the predicament these characters found themselves in – they were trapped indoors due to fears of illness or death outside. This predicament led to isolation, loneliness, and mental health struggles. And guess what? We’ve all been there, thanks to COVID-19. It’s mind-blowing how the themes from the 1930s resonate so powerfully with our current world, making the game that much more thought-provoking and relevant.

Hold Your Breath lands on Hulu on October 3rd.

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2024-10-01 20:44

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