PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Growing up, I never felt like I belonged or fit in. I was made fun of for various reasons. And it didn’t help that I was into different things. It didn’t get any better until I was out of high school and finally around eclectic types of people that it hit me… fuck trying to be like everyone else! I had spent my entire life desperately trying to fit in, and it was refreshing to realize that I didn’t need to. I am great the way I am.
That’s one of the things I love about the new film from Netflix, Nightbooks (read our review here). It’s horror film with a fantastic message for those who still feel like they need to change themselves to be accepted. To celebrate the release of Nightbooks, I chatted with star Krysten Ritter about what made her want to make this film, what she hopes kids walk away with after watching, and her favorite part of filming.
PopHorror: Hi Krysten! The movie is amazing. What intrigued you about the film and made you want to be a part of it?
Krysten Ritter: Hi Tiffany! I love the script immediately. I really loved this character. Any opportunity to play a character that is informed by a really rich backstory, and is unexpected and has a lot of different colors to play. I was so into it. She was funny and fabulous and totally mean and evil and terrifying kids but then has this backstory of being a kid herself who’s been thrown into a certain situation. So I loved that originally, and then getting to design the look with the costumes and hair and makeup to create something original and fresh was really exciting to me. And ultimately, I love the message of the film. I think that the heart of the movie and it being about a kid who’s different and weird and getting picked on at school, that same thing that makes them different is what makes them so special. And I just think that’s the kind of movie that I would have loved and devoured as a kid.
PopHorror: Yes!
Krysten Ritter: It’s just so up my alley. The way the movie looks, the humor in the movie… I laughed so many times out loud. I just feel like this movie is just so up my alley and so my style. And I’m really proud to be part of it.
PopHorror: Being mean and evil and terrifying children sounds like a dream role for me and I’m not even an actor, so that would be awesome. And I felt this so much in my soul, being the weird kid and having people not want to be friends with you or making you an outcast because you’re weird and like different things. That really resonated with me. After reading the script, was there anything that you were adamant about bringing to the character?
Krysten Ritter: You know, you always want to make sure that the character is informed by their backstory and real, and you’re playing a real person even though this was very over the top. But I also wanted to make sure that she was a little funny, and I think that we struck that balance really well, you know, going for it with the look. It’s really well thought out. There’s a lot of thought in everything I don’t want to spoil it for people who haven’t seen it, but all of the stuff that she liked when she was a little girl, like what happens with those things if she gets magic? All of that was really fun. I also just want to give the director a big plug because I think that David (Yarovesky) did such a great job with this world and the visuals on this, that just make it feel so big and fun. He has a real aesthetic vibe that is very much like what I’m usually drawn to, but I just think it’s so unique and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
PopHorror: What do you hope people walk away with after watching this film?
Krysten Ritter: I hope the kids that watch it think like, “Yeah! This thing that I’m good at is awesome!” And I think that parents will appreciate that message for the kids also. But for the parents and for all ages, there’s so many fun Easter Eggs in there and great references in The Lost Boys and the awesome score and soundtrack. And you know, that stuff’s fun. For me, one of my favorite movies is The Lost Boys and that song that’s in the movie? I think it’s so sick!
PopHorror: I completely agree. You could definitely lure me in with The Lost Boys and a slice of pie.
Krysten Ritter: Absolutely!
PopHorror: The film looks like it was a ton of fun and just an absolute blast to make. What was your favorite part of filming?
Krysten Ritter: I really had a great experience on this movie. It has really awesome producers. Lidya [Jewett] and I had a great time in the hair and make-up trailer. I loved working with Winslow [Fegley]. The best part? My baby was with me, and this movie will always have a very special place in my heart as the first movie that I did as a working mama.
PopHorror: Aww, that’s awesome!
Thank you much, Krysten, for taking the time to speak with us. You can catch Nightbooks exclusively on Netflix.
