How to Be a Horror Icon: Samara Weaving on the Perfect Scream, Acting While Drenched in Blood and the Biggest Challenge Shooting Her New Horror-Comedy ‘Borderline’

Samara Weaving consistently excels in various film genres, from dramas like “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “Nine Perfect Strangers,” to comedies such as “Bill & Ted Face the Music,” period pieces like “Chevalier,” and even a stint on the Aussie soap opera “Home and Away.” However, she is particularly well-known for her roles in horror or dark themed films. This includes early performances in “Mayhem” and “The Babysitter,” as well as recent memorable appearances in “Scream VI” and “Azrael.” In these projects, Weaving often steals the show, demonstrating a knack for both humorous and intense narratives.

Beginning this Friday in cinemas through Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing, the movie titled ‘Borderline’ showcases Weaving in a playful, unconventional role. In this film, penned and helmed by her spouse Jimmy Warden, Ray Nicholson portrays Duerson – a fanatic admirer of the ’90s pop sensation Sofia, played by Weaving. Believing that they are meant to be married, the misguided Duerson forces his way into Sofia’s home with dreams of winning her heart. As Sofia attempts to flee, the on-screen interaction between these two actors is filled with dark humor and unforeseen plot twists.

EbMaster shared insights on the mysteries behind being a thriving Scream Queen, and discussed how the role in “Borderline” challenged her acting abilities.

What appeals to you as an actor in horror and genre films?

Due to its expansive nature, this medium allows for an in-depth exploration of human emotions that are seldom depicted in other films. Consequently, working on horror comedies presents a delightful challenge as you must strike a balance between delivering humor and creating genuine fear.

Your role in “Borderline” is unique because you have to play so many different notes, depending on how you’re interacting with Ray’s unpredictable character. What were some of the more challenging elements for you as an actor in this part?

The main difficulty lay in keeping a straight face due to Ray’s hilarious antics. He was an unpredictable performer, always immersed and prone to making unexpected, unprepared choices during performance. Maintaining my composure around him proved to be the most challenging task. I soon realized that my job was primarily to back him up, help the audience understand and empathize with him, and instill fear in them. In mapping out my character’s development, I essentially became both the comic relief and the audience’s point of view.

Your husband wrote this movie and your character goes through hell. Were there any scenes where you asked him “Why are you doing this to me?!?”

Reading through the script gave me a clear understanding of what lay ahead, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! Typically, I have to wait until I get home to spend time with him, but this was different – during breaks between filming, we could simply laugh, be goofy, and enjoy ourselves. All in all, it was a fantastic experience.

What is your trick for acting terrified in front of the camera?

I frequently listen to music, often putting on my headphones first to stir up emotions. Then, I tend to breathe rapidly and quickly glance around with restless eyes, like a trapped deer. This involves a lot of deep breaths and wide-eyed, anxious gazes.

What artists are you listening to these days to get into that zone?

I’ve created a playlist titled “Cry.” Among the tracks, “To Build a Home” by The Cinematic Orchestra strikes a deep chord with me. As for Zach Bryan’s song “Bass Boat,” it instantly brings tears to my eyes whenever I listen to it. It’s incredibly emotional and moving.

When you wrap after an intense day of shooting, what’s your self-care for transitioning back into real life?

Stepping out from the wardrobe is the primary step, followed by visiting the makeup trailer and having a warm shower. On particularly action-packed days, I’d often opt for an Epsom salt bath to avoid injury. Afterward, I enjoy watching films or solving puzzles.

You had a funny segment on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” while promoting “Scream VI” where you demonstrated your blood-curdling scream. Do you have any tricks for conjuring that?

To be honest, I’m not sure what causes it to sound as it does. My first encounter with this unique ability was during a TV show titled “Ash vs Evil Dead.” During filming, the director instructed me to give an extraordinarily loud scream, which I did. Following that, everyone around reacted with comments like, “Wow, what an insane scream!” It wasn’t until then that I realized this was a skill I possessed. Now, whenever it’s required, I readily utilize it.

So many of your characters end up kicking ass. Do you have any tricks that you’ve learned through the years about selling fight scenes?

The film “Bridget Jones’s Diary” taught me that Colin Firth and Hugh Grant had an authentic fight scene at the end. In an interview, Grant shared that they initially used stunt professionals to choreograph the fight, but soon discovered that these individuals lacked real-life fighting experience. So, they decided to scrap the idea of using a stunt double and engage in an actual fight instead. I believe this was the case because my characters often find themselves in unfamiliar combat situations without any formal training. This notion always lingers in my mind while I aim to make the fights as chaotic and unrefined as possible to reflect their lack of expertise.

Do you have any secrets to acting while you’re covered in fake blood?

What stands out most is the delightful caramel-like flavor of the blood, which I believe comes from a thickening agent. However, due to its unappetizing nature if ingested, I must exercise caution not to accidentally taste or eat it. If that were to happen, one would likely find themselves wanting to spit it out immediately and clean off any residue as quickly as possible.

Any tricks for removing the fake blood after a hard day on set?

Shaving Foam, affectionately known as “Moon Face” – this is due to the frequent occurrence of nicks while shaving that result in bleeding. To remedy this, we apply Gillette shaving foam and let it sit on my face for about two minutes before it can be easily washed off.

Do you like to do your own stunts? How do you know the limit of what you can do?

I’m really fond of it; it’s incredibly enjoyable! I’ve got a hankering to star in an adrenaline-pumping action flick. The stunts are taken care of, they’re strategized ahead and sometimes there are limitations due to safety concerns that prevent me from performing certain actions. In the movie “Ready or Not,” there was a sequence where I had to dodge a rapidly moving vehicle, and they were adamant about having someone else perform it because they didn’t want me to get hit. Additionally, working at great heights is not something I can handle.

When you read a horror script, how do you know it’s a project that speaks to you?

When a script captivates me so much that I read it quickly from start to finish without pausing, it’s often an indication that I won’t stop to rest if I were watching the adaptation. In fact, I might even need a cup of coffee to keep myself awake throughout it.

Outside of action, are there any other genres you’d be interested in that you haven’t done yet?

I’m really keen on making a film in the style of a classic Western! It would feature thrilling stunts and a gritty, spaghetti Western setting – an old, dusty town perhaps. I imagine it could be quite entertaining to portray a character like Cowgirl Calamity Jane or similar.

Do you have a favorite Scream Queen that you love to watch?

There’s a lot. I think “Psycho,” because Janet Leigh’s performance was just incredible.

Watch the trailer for “Borderline” below.

2025-03-14 22:48