Interview With Lidya Jewett and Winslow Fegley, Stars Of Netflix’s ‘Nightbooks’

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 stars Lidya Jewett and Winslow Fegley about what made them want to make this film, what they hope kids walk away with after watching, and their favorite part of filming.

PopHorror: Thank you so much for your time. This movie is so good. My questions are for both of you. What interested you in the film and made you want to be a part of the project?

Lidya Jewett: For me, it was that Yasmine and I aren’t very similar. A lot of the roles that I’ve done before are kind of just me with slight differences or slight tweaks. And so it was great to play someone who’s kind of the opposite, who’s very different than me with certain tiny things that are similar. It was great to have that difference than I’ve usually played. It wasn’t challenging per se, but it was something that was outside of my comfort zone.

Winslow Fegley: Honestly, I would say the opposite for me because a lot of my characters I play are very different from me. Like bullies or something. Most of the time, there’s a lot of things that are very different from me. But this character is very similar to me. I love horror, so I love that I get to show that aspect of myself in this movie.

PopHorror: That makes me very happy to hear because I also love horror, and I really connected with your character being like the outcast and the weird kid that people don’t want to be friends with. So I really appreciated that and I thought that you did really well. The movie looked like it was a blast to make. It was a lot of fun to watch, for sure. What was your favorite part of shooting?

Winslow Fegley: I think the whole just being in Toronto vibe. It was just so great, especially during fall. I just have such good memories from it, just filming and going outside in Toronto in the fall is just awesome. So when we weren’t on set, I was outside a lot, and just spending a lot of time there. It was just a really really great experience. I loved it. So that was awesome, and also just being on set as well. Shooting with Krysten (Ritter), Lidya was amazing. They’re both such great actresses. It was just cool being in this film.

Lidya Jewett: I would say the same for me. It was great to work with Winslow because I haven’t really worked with kids that are my age specifically, like around my age, so it was great to have an actual friendship with the person that I’m filming with. And the time it was in Toronto. I filmed a movie there when it was summer, and so I got that warm weather version of it. But then there was snow and I love snow, so that was the perfect thing. One of the days that we wrapped earlier, like wrapped earlier in the day, we went outside and we had a mini snowball fight. It was amazing so I think that was such a really great part of it, that we were friends off screen. 

PopHorror: That sounds amazing. I’m in Arizona, and I miss snow because I never get to see it, so I feel you on that. What do you hope that people and kids will walk away with after watching this film?

Winslow Fegley: I think that it’s really important that people know that it’s okay to be different. So everybody’s different. And if everybody was the same, the world would suck, because it would be really boring. But yeah, I think it’s just important for people to know that if your friends are picking on you because of the things you love, then those are not friends. They are people who are not supporting you, so don’t waste your time listening to them. Spend your time with people who are going to support you and love you for who you are.

PopHorror: I love that.

Lidya Jewett: Yeah, it’s great. It’s not just a horror movie, it’s not just a fantasy movie, it’s about acceptance too. It’s great for kids who are younger as well, to kind of see it happening and see on screen, where people are accepted, are accepting of each other. Especially in a world that is having a bit of trouble in that department. 

PopHorror: I completely agree. You both are making me appreciate this film even more. And Winslow, you said that you’re a big horror fan. What is your favorite horror movie?

Winslow Fegley: So I would say my top three – I See You is really good. I love that movie. It’s really scary. Sinister is really good. And IT is good. I saw that in the theaters when I was like eight.

PopHorror: What about you, Lidya? Are you a horror fan?

Lidya Jewett: I am not a big horror fan just because I get very scared easily and like nightmares and all that, but I do love scary books. I love reading scary books. I’d say, if I’m doing top three, I mainly read Ray Bradbury scary stories. Like The October Country, Let’s All Kill Constance, and Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Thank you so much, Lidya and Winslow, for taking the time to speak with us. Be sure to catch Nightbooks exclusively on Netflix.