The new horror film “The Boy” is coming to theaters this Friday.The Boy is about an American woman, Greta (Lauren Cohan of The Walking Dead), who becomes a live-in nanny for a British family, except, plot twist: the boy she’s taking care of is actually a very creepy doll the old couple has to cope with the death of their son.
Given a strict set of rules on how to take of this doll, the old couple leaves Greta alone to take care of it. After ignoring the rules, a series of disturbing events happen which lead Greta–and the audience?–to believe that the doll is actually alive. The movie also stars Rupert Evans (Man In The High Castle), who gave us an exclusive interview about the making of the movie at a special screening on Jan. 20.
The Knockturnal: First things first, were you a horror fan prior to making this movie?
Rupert Evans: I am! I’ve done quite a few horror movies now, before that even, I am a horror fan. Yeah, I love them.
TK: So how did this horror movie compare to the others? What’s different about it, what do you like about it?
RE: What I love about this movie is that it kept me guessing when I read the script for the first time. I like the characters. You know it was set in the UK, which a lot of horror movies are, except for me being a Brit, that was nice. We shot it in Vancouver, so it didn’t really make much difference, but there were other British actors, and that was great. I believe the characters and the story kept me intrigued, this weird doll that seems to be somehow possessed, and seems to take over my life. The character I play is Malcolm and Greta, played by Lauren Cohan, it kind of took over our lives. It was kind of really intriguing to see how it was gonna happen, how the truth was behind this crazy doll.
TK: So on set did you feel the creepy vibes emanating from the doll or was that something that you had to create?
RE: Well, I think it’s kind of more of when we did the scenes with the doll, you know, the lighting and the way they used the camera, you do start to believe that you know…it’s weird because the doll takes on a personality of its own and you start thinking…it looks more angry sometimes and suddenly happier? It can really kind of mess with your head. It can do stuff without you doing anything. So it’s kind of crazy really, so the doll certainly was there and took on a personality and took control of the movie definitely.
TK: How was working with Lauren?
RE: Lauren Cohan was amazing. I’d seen the Walking Dead, so I knew a bit about her, but I never met her before. But she was amazing. That scene, actually, she threw herself into the role, she completely leads the movie and she was the only American really…she was in every single scene, for her it was a huge undertaking. She was fantastic, great fun and gave real energy and passion in it and gave some great ideas. We had a great time.
TK: Last question, congrats on Man In The High Castle! Can you tell us anything about Season 2?
RE: Season 2 is coming up, we’re starting soon. I don’t really know much about Season 2, I think they’re thinking…I’m as intrigued as everyone else about what’s going to happen to my character, Frank Frink, and Juliana Crain, my love interest. I heard rumors that they will expand the world of Phillip K. Dick, but I’m as much in the dark as everyone else. In a month’s time I’m hoping to find about a bit more.
TK: Looking forward to it!
“The Boy” is in theaters this Friday, January 22.
