PopHorror Let's Get Scared
PopHorror recently had the pleasure of an advance screening to review Dolly (2025). We couldn’t miss the chance to sit down with the film’s stars, Max the Impaler and Fabianne Therese. They dished on their on-set experiences and what it was like collaborating with their fellow cast members.
PH: Max the Impaler, can you talk about your preparation for portraying Dolly and how your background in wrestling influenced — or challenged — your move into acting?
MTI: It was a pretty easy transition, because a lot of the way I portrayed Dolly is how I portray Max the Impaler. I have to convey a lot of emotion and things without saying anything since my character mostly doesn’t say anything. I’m kind of used to having to speak without speaking, if that makes sense. And the stunts are very similar. I did all my own stunts and everything. It was fun!
PH: Fabianne Therese, you are no stranger to the horror genre. I loved Starry Eyes (2014), but it was great seeing you take the lead in Dolly (2025). What draws you to the horror genre? How was your experience filming?
FT: I think it’s just one of the most fun genres to act in because you get to do so much and the circumstances are so heightened. I mean I have never done a sci-fi l, but you know I imagine like those two worlds are where you get to really go for it. I loved making this! It was not an easy film to make, but it was with a bunch of people that were really dedicated and that I really cared about. I had a fun time making it!
PH: Your scenes together in Dolly (2025) are both intimate and deeply unsettling. What was it like filming those moments, and how did you collaborate to deliver such powerful performances?
MIP: I would say Fabi really helped me because this was my first time ever doing anything like that, so I really leaned on her for support and encouragement. I think we did very well communicating with each other about our boundaries and what we were comfortable with. I think that the most important thing was just open communication.
FT: I think that Max and I both had different strengths from the worlds that we were coming from and we kind of needed the knowledge of both to be able to do this in the amount of time and with the demands that this project required. And so like the stunts and all of the physical things I felt very safe because Max comes from that world and they really took care of me. There really was a motherly aspect to the dynamic. And then I was able to take care of them through the acting process and how production works. And yeah, it was a good collaboration.
PH: Dolly (2025) has been making the rounds on the festival circuit, and online reviews are circulating. What kind of feedback have you experienced so far, and how are you feeling about the responses?
FT: I have read some of the reviews after Fantastic Fest and during the festival circuit. It seems like people really like our movie and yeah it makes me feel really good. I’m glad that people are having fun and they understand like both the fun aspects and some of the complexities of what we were trying to do. It’s been a treat seeing that people like it.
MIP: I struggle with reading reviews. I have read what some people sent me and it’s mostly positive things and it’s nice to see that. I guess from wrestling I’ve kind of been ruined because I see feedback that I don’t like to see, so I’m just nervous to like go and look. I know it’s two different worlds, but I have just conditioned myself the same way because wrestling fans are very critical. This is a whole new world for me, so I’m scared. I want to keep the excitement and the joyful feeling, so I don’t want to go through too many reviews if that makes sense.
PH: That’s understandable. Maybe I can get you to check out PopHorror! I did a review of Dolly (2025) and I thought it was great!
FT: I think the genre fans are a lot kinder for the most part. I mean you still get your trolls or people like that, or people that just don’t like it, but as a community they are really supportive.
PH: I mean, honestly, I was excited about getting to review Dolly (2025) because I knew of you from your performance in Starry Eyes (2014) and I’m a huge fan of Ethan Suplee. He has been such an inspiration for my own weight loss and is such a talented actor. Which leads me to my next question that is how was both of your experiences working with the rest of the actors?
FT: I mean, I loved it. Ethan is number one! An incredible actor. He brings 110%. Also, he is kind of a theater nerd just like me. It was really fun hanging out and talking with him about theater in between filming terrifying scenes. Oh and Seann is like a human golden retriever.
MIP: It was surreal to just interact with them both because I grew up watching so many movies in the early 2000s with them in it. It was really nice. Sometimes people say you should never meet your idols, but it didn’t ruin anything because they’re just great people. It was just really amazing and really surreal. Also, Seann Williams Scott said I was funny and I am telling everyone.
PH: Obviously, you should! I would tell everyone! LOL. Well I like to wrap up every interview with the iconic question: What’s your favorite scary movie?
MIP: Mine is A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). I really like Robert England. He’s really inspirational to me.
FT: I am going to have to say mine is The Shining (1980). I could watch that movie 20,000 times and find something different and you know I’ve read the book and I just love the history and the backstory of that movie too.
PH: Absolutely! Kubrick’s had an eye for detail with everything in a scene having a purpose and a meaning. Well thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing your future projects.
