After the first season of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin concluded on HBO Max, series star Bailee Madison sat down with us to discuss the show’s horror themes, which are a particular favourite of hers and co-star Perri Nemiroff’s. That led to a discussion about Madison’s next horror film, Play Dead, in which she also stars. During the private interview, Madison admitted that she is not just a major horror lover but also appreciates when the genre is not afraid to try new things. She claims this occurs in the film Play Dead, which has the disturbing concept of a criminology student who fakes her own death in order to get entry to a morgue and follow a lead in her investigation of a murder.
Madison claims that the film is “extremely strange” and that things just grow odder as it progresses, a claim that was supposedly corroborated by the actor’s sister after she saw the film. The movie I shot before ‘PLL’ is a total train wreck. Titled “Play Dead,” it stars Jerry O’Connell. This film is completely different from anything I’ve ever made since it stars only him and me. The thought of that gives me the creeps. The setting of “Play Dead” is a morgue, and that’s about all I can say about it. The show is so intense that even my sister can’t watch it. A couple of weeks ago, I presented it to her and she immediately got up and left. She said, “I feel sick to my stomach; I have to vomit up,” and my response was, “Cool!” This is a fantastic thing.'”
Madison explains that the risk-taking nature of horror is another reason she appreciates it so much. Cinematic artists like screenwriters and actors can be pushed to their limits by making films of this genre, which encourages them to explore outlandish ideas for the sake of entertainment. There are no limits to the terror that can be imagined, and that’s what makes it so thrilling. There are no actual boundaries since either the psychological or slasher elements can be explored. That’s why, especially at this point in my life, I feel like I don’t want to be restrained and instead be allowed to do the things that bring me joy.
Patrick Lussier directs the play Dead (My Bloody Valentine). There has been no official word on when it will be available. Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin is available in its entirety on HBO Max.