The star of E.T.
and many other films dons the collar to play a tormented priest in Ouija: Origin of Evil.
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Henry Thomas:Ive never played a Catholic priest before.
I did a role where I was some traveling 19th century Christian reverend or something.
This was the first Catholic priest Ive played., so that was kind of fun.
Different, you put the uniform and thats 90% of your work.
Then you just have to look official.
Did you any specific ideas or preconceptions of how to play a man of the cloth?
How did you find your way into him?
This guy was interesting to me.
A lot of these characters are grieving.
Elizabeths characters grieving the death of her husband.
My character in a lot of way entered the priesthood to mourn the death of his wife.
I like that hes not really having second thoughts so much, but hes conflicted.
Hes worried about his faith.
Hes worried about his parishioners.
Saying the Our Father and throwing holy water everywhere.
The date scene with Elizabeth was really well done.
In a different film that couldve gone a very different and somewhat more predictable way but it doesnt.
Theres clearly a connection there, but he stands by what hes committed himself to.
He gave us all day to do it, and it was so well worth it to me.
That scene is the reason I did this film.
Is that often the case?
When you get a script, is there that scene that you really look forward to playing?
Not everything really jumps off the page like this scene did.
It can make it really interesting for a genre film to have.
Thats the genre, I want to build it before we destroy it.
I said great and Elizabeth said fantastic, because the characters dont know theyre in a horror film.
They want to have their moments and they want to be in love, thats what they want.
Youve worked with Spielberg, youve worked with Milos Forman, youve worked with Martin Scorsese.
You definitely know when somebody is helming and theyre in control.
you’re able to tell the guys who are inept.
Like all the great ones.
They know exactly what they want, they know exactly what they need.
Thats what I see in a great director.
Otherwise youre making other people work for something that you may or may not use.
Thats lazy on the part of the filmmaker.
If you do your work ahead of time nobody has to jump through any hoops.
Lulu Wilson carries a lot on her shoulders in this film as Doris.
I relate to the experience because it was my experience too, to some degree.
Its funny, I feel as performers were all sort of in the same boat.
I feel like Lulu could give me advice.
I think shes got a handle on things.
I think thats something that everybody carries with them, you either have it or you dont.
I was thrust in it and you do well or fail was the view.
I commiserate with that, but I think she had a leg up because shes got a great family.
Theyre very smart and theyre watching what shes doing and helping her.
Shes going to make good decisions.
She has good taste and shes got a lot of talent.
Before we go, whats next for you?
Ive currently not lined anything up, but Im waiting to hear back on a couple of things.
Mike Flanagan wants to work with me again, and I would love to work with him again.
Hopefully on one of his upcoming projects pretty soon, Ill get a call.
Ouija: Origin of Evilis out in theaters this Friday (October 21).
