That was really the real focus.
What was your view of Alice when you first saw the script and read through it?
What was it about her that struck a chord with you?
Just the desperation that shes contending with and the grief that shes experiencing.
The loss that shes dealing with makes her extremely vulnerable and that was what was very moving to me.
That was what was really drew me to it too.
How often do you see a movie about a single mom in the late 60s?
I think that thats fascinating, and then shes sort of modern in spite of herself.
Shes embarrassing in ways and she stands out.
Shes totally unconventional and I thought that was really fun to play.
It didnt go the way you might think it will.
What do you remember about shooting that scene and what your thoughts were on it?
Well I loved working with Henry.
Mike Flanagan really was more interested in these relationships and the story than almost anything else.
He gave the time and the space for it.
Hes such an actors director, which is surprising.
I think thats really intoxicating.
I went over their house and basically just hung out with them, at Annalises house and with Lulu.
Also, theyre not really kids.
I mean, theyre kids but theyre actresses.
Theyre not like child actors.
Theyre actual, real actresses.
Well I think you want it to feel real, and thats something that …
It doesnt feel like how I felt with my mom, which is a real relationship.
Was a lot of the horror imagery that happens in the movie actually done on set?
Yeah, and I think thats why it worked so well.
The majority of it, anything that he could do practically, was what Mike did.
It makes it harder sometimes, because youre working with magnets and candles and Ouija boards.
Theres a lot of props going on and trying to nail things and time it out.
How far did you go in terms of the physical stuff you did?
Its just not a good idea.
It was intensely physical and just exhausting.
Plus all the crying and the high, high intensity emotional stuff is really exhausting.
Did you do any research into mediums?
Have you ever been to one yourself?
I did and I have.
Some of the stuff is weird and some of its really believable and even scary.
Some of it is BS, but a lot of it isnt, from what Im seeing.
Did you ever go to one where you felt like it was the real thing?
Yeah, I did.
It unnerved me because I think Im suggestible to begin with.
Did your family have a Ouija board in the house when you were a kid?
Yeah, we did and it was like a fun party game, a slumber party kind of jam.
I dont want to be scared now.
Do people or fans on the street still approach you aboutTwilight?
Its been a few years now since the last one, has that simmered down?
Its definitely simmered down, but it also just depends.
I was in Italy this summer and I encountered a lot of fans there.
They also happen to loveGreys Anatomyin Italy so it kind of depends on where you are.
I never really think about it because I live in Los Angeles so it never comes up.
Whats going on for you next?
Im going to New York to go start a play calledThe Babylon Lineat Lincoln Center.
I also have a Joe Swanberg series that just came out on Netflix calledEasy.
Its really, really fun.
I highly, highly recommend it.
I know Im in it so thats kind of bullshit but I really like it!
Ouija: Origin of Evilis out in theaters this Friday (October 21).
