Interview With Richard Brake, Star Of ‘Altered’

Back in 2019, a fun and ambitious indie film from writer and director Timo Vuorensola called Iron Sky: The Coming Race came out. A sci-fi film featuring Nazis and dinosaurs and set on the moon, it’s just fantastic so go watch that. Then check out Timo’s new film, Altered. Another sci-fi flick, this one stars Tom Felton, Elizaveta Bugolova, and Richard Brake (check out our other interview with him HERE).

In an alternate present, genetically enhanced humans dominate society. Outcasts Leon and Chloe fight for justice against corrupt politicians exploiting genetic disparity, risking everything to challenge the oppressive system.

To celebrate the release of the film, I chatted with Richard about how he became involved with the film, crafting his character, horror movies, and more!

PopHorror: Altered was so good and you’re great in it, as usual. I’m such a big fan and I’m super excited to talk to you about it today.

Richard Brake: Thank you.

PopHorror: What intrigued you about the script and made you want to be a part of the project?

Richard Brake: Quite a few things. First, it was science fiction. I haven’t done lots of science fiction films. I’m not a huge fan of space science fiction but I love post-apocalyptic, altered universes, that type of thing. History changing, and that’s what this film is. Right away, that got me. And then of course, the script itself. Timo as a director, I thought he’s a really visual, interesting director and I really wanted to work with him. I kind of love Finnish directors, weirdly. I’ve worked with three of them in three years, which is a weird coincidence. So, it was a lot of things and the character. He was sort of a torn man emotionally, conflicted about what he was doing in terms of the reason he was doing it and his relationship with Tom’s character. So, all of these things. Right away, I said yes. As soon as my agent sent me the script, I read it on a train to Paris and called him when I got to Paris and said I wanted to do it.

PopHorror: I love Timo’s work. I spoke to him yesterday and told him how I love how he puts humor in his heavy films. I also am not a huge sci-fi fan, so the humor is much appreciated and that’s something that I associate with him so I’m glad he’s one of the reasons why you chose it.

Richard Brake: Yeah, yeah, and he makes characters real, I think. In science fiction, sometimes they feel almost… Even if they’re archetypal, they’re almost too much. To me, what I love is when we’re set in kind of the same world but obviously a post-apocalyptic one and yet, everyone seems very real, which I think comes down to Timo, his writing and also just how he worked with us as actors to make it real, which I love.

PopHorror: For your portrayal of your character, Frank Kessler, were there any specific inspirations like real people or villains that you used to shape your portrayal of him?

Richard Brake: There is an abundance of them out there in this political landscape today. I won’t name any names but I think we could think of a few ourselves. I definitely took some inspiration from a lot of the political figures that are wandering around at the moment, just in terms of his desire to do anything for power, control, believing what he thinks is right. The audience might think otherwise but Frank thinks what he’s doing is correct and right and morally correct, and I think unfortunately we have a lot of people like that. There are people out there who have their vision, and their vision I might not agree with but they believe what they’re doing is right and they’re just like Frank, so it was easy to find a lot of people both historically and in the present that Frank represents. He’s obviously an extreme example.

PopHorror: Is he though?

Richard Brake: Political hot water here!

PopHorror: I can’t imagine who you’re talking about. Piggybacking off of that, was there anything that you were adamant about bringing to your character?

Richard Brake: Another great thing about Timo is he works well with actors, and I can only speak for myself, but it was fun. We were in Kazakhstan filming. It was the middle of winter but luckily, they had a heat wave, which still meant it was about 20 below as opposed to 50 below. It’s one of the coldest places on Earth, so I didn’t really leave my hotel room a whole lot. We were all there so I would often just get together with Timo and go over the script, and we’d maybe alter a bit here and there, so I was coming with all kinds of things. He was very open to it, which I love in a director. We spent a lot of time off camera working on things or talking about the character or talking about the script and the scenes I was in. So, the answer is yes but it would be hard to remember. It kind of blurs and you think, was that my idea or was that Timo’s idea? Happens with every film, like “Did you come up with that line?” And I’m like, “I can’t remember. I think that was the director.” I always give credit when it isn’t me. I try not to steal the credit.

PopHorror: I love that. What would be your weapon of choice in a zombie apocalypse?

Richard Brake: I’d say chainsaw but I’m pretty weak to be wielding a chainsaw around. Other than a shotgun, probably one of those pitchforks so you can hit them in the head with it. So, I’d say pitchfork would be the most realistic, plus it doesn’t need any ammunition.

PopHorror: No maintenance. 

Richard Brake: You can just have a pitchfork with you all the time.

PopHorror: And it’s long so you can keep your distance.

Richard Brake: Yeah, exactly! I wouldn’t want to get close to them. I love zombie films.

PopHorror: Just one last question for you today. What is your favorite scary movie?

Richard Brake: Of all time? Probably Texas Chain Saw first, the very first, just because it disturbed me so much. I was young when I saw it and then of course going on and doing some films with Rob Zombie, it kind of has that same aesthetic as those early 70s horrors. And then Wes Craven’s early films as well; I think they’re absolutely brilliant. Those are probably my favorite, that era.

Thank you so much to Richard for taking the time to chat with us. Altered is now in select theaters and on VOD!