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Actress Chelsea Ricketts Talks ‘The Amityville Murders’ With iHorror!

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In preparation for the release of The Amityville Murders, I had the opportunity to speak with actress Chelsea Ricketts. During our chat, we discussed the uniqueness of playing a non-fictional character versus a fictional character, the tragedy that occurred at 112 Ocean Avenue those many years ago, and touched upon some fun and spooky incidents that occurred on set.

In the film, The Amityville Murders Chelsea portrays a real person, Dawn Defeo. In the early morning hours of November 13th, 1974 Dawn’s life was cut drastically short when her eldest brother took a high powered rifle and wiped her out along with her three younger siblings, mother, and father. I have followed this case for the past three decades, watching hours of documentaries and reading any and all material I could get my hands onto. I whole heartedly felt that Chelsea did Dawn justice with her stellar performance and I am looking forward to her future work in cinema.

Read our interview below and be sure to check out The Amityville Murders on February 8th.

Chelsea Ricketts at the Red Carpet Premeire of The Amityville Murders at the Screamfest film festival – October 2018.

Chelsea Ricketts Interview

Chelsea Ricketts: Hi Ryan.

Ryan T. Cusick: Hi Chelsea, how are you doing?

CR: I’m doing good, how are you doing?

RTC: I’m doing well, and thank you so much for speaking with me today.

CR: Of course, I am so excited.

RTC: I saw the movie and I very much enjoyed it.

CR: Oh good!

RTC: Your portrayal of Dawn Defeo was just great. The Amityville series for me, the case, everything is just something that I have been into personally since I was a young child, so it was great to see the movie and how it came together.

CR: I am so happy that you enjoyed it, thank you for saying that. It was a blast to shoot that’s for sure, spooky.


Chelsea Ricketts as Dawn DeFeo in the “THE AMITYVILLE MURDERS” a horror film by Skyline Entertainment. Photo courtesy of Skyline Entertainment.

RTC: Most definitely. What were your biggest influences in capturing your character Dawn Defeo?

CR: Well truly I think stories like this are always intimidating to go into. I remember reading Dan [Farrands], the director, I remember reading his script when I was just in the auditioning process. Like you, I have always been interested in this and I have always loved true crime. Just getting to hear the true story as to what happened or as close as you can get to the true story because you’ll never really know. I just researched, I wanted to do Dawn as much justice as I could and I wanted to find out as much background on her and information on her as I could. I wanted to kind of show her youth and show just as much truth as I could as to who she was as I could. I, of course, watched all the Amityville movies ever made. [Laughs] Including my hero Diane and definitely just took little pieces of everything I had seen to kind of create my version of Dawn while still doing her justice.

RTC: How was it working with Diane [Franklin]?

CR: I feel like in interviews people say, “oh everybody is amazing.” I have to tell you she is the warmest, kindness, and most giving human that I have had the pleasure of working with. She was just everything. Every, everything you would want her to be she is. We became great friends, I still talk to her today. She was just so kind, and she is so passionate about Amityville, obviously, it is such a part of her life even from her childhood. And she was just so willing and giving and helped me with any questions I had, she is so knowledgable about the true story and not just the films that had been made about it but actually what happened and she helped me with my accent.

Both: Laugh.

RTC: That is awesome and it was great seeing her and Burt Young, I remember seeing both of them in Amityville II.

CR: Yess!  

RTC: That was definitely a treat.

CR: It was so fun getting to work with Burt too. I was a little fangirling that day. Like if Diane wasn’t enough, now we’re bringing Burt.

Chelsea Ricketts as Dawn DeFeo in the “THE AMITYVILLE MURDERS” a horror film by Skyline Entertainment. Photo courtesy of Skyline Entertainment.

RTC: Did Dan Farrands offer you any hardcore direction during filming or did you just do it on your own?

CR: Dan is really fun to work with because he is a total… I don’t know the right way to say this, he’s definitely for the actors. I definitely had the freedom to create and when you’re doing such character creation it is so nice to work with a director that gives you that. I leaned heavily on Dan asking, bless his heart, a thousand questions. He is so passionate about Amityville, the true story. He knows, gosh I probably didn’t even need to do research I probably just needed to buy him dinner. I leaned on him big time, but he definitely created an environment where I felt the freedom to create.

RTC: He is like the walking, talking Wikipedia of Amityville, for sure.

CR: It is so true [giggles] it is so true. He just knows everything and he cares.

RTC: Yeah, he does.

CR: The story was important to him.

RTC: Do you have any funny or spooky stories from the set?

CR: Gosh, there was so many I’m trying to remember some of the big ones. We filmed in Los Angeles believe it or not.

RTC: We would have never have known.

CR: Shocking [giggles]. Out of nowhere we were in this beautiful house and I don’t know what happened, I don’t know exactly technically what happened but the house, the whole bottom floor flooded. We were filming, you know the red room scene when you saw the movie? The penny scene with Butch and all of that, the red room was down there. We were filming one of the scenes and some plumbing pipe burst while we were filming that and flooded the whole outside… not outside the whole bottom floor and of course it drained outside. That was definitely spooky I was like, “it’s nothing, it’s pure plumbing,  it’s nothing more than that.” [Laughs] Who knows what it really was. I know there was a bunch of random little things but that really stuck out to me because I was definitely down there filming the redroom scene, so that was pretty creepy.

RTC: Yeah the most infamous probably in the entire house.

CR: Exactly. I kept telling myself on the set “it’s nothing.” “Keep going.”

RTC: Did you have a most challenging scene to film or did everything just flow?

CR: I honestly think…

RTC: Your character was very emotional at times.

CR: Exactly. Yeah, the whole ending was really challenging. Just because the place you even have to go, I mean I can’t, there is no way of relating what Dawn may have seen or experienced. I would have never been able to relate to that kind of pain and terror in the same way. To have to create that day after day after day, because it all flashes by so quickly but we are filming that for days on end. So I would say all of that was very, very difficult. Emotionally.

RTC: I bet, it sounds draining.

CR: Even the fighting stuff up the stairs, I am sobbing through all of it, but it was fun too. I mean as fun as it can be. You try not to go too dark, at least I do with my work as an actress. I care and I want to respect the story and tell it the way that I can, but at the same time not letting it take you too dark of a place. Within reason it was difficult but I really had fun telling the story.

RTC: I know that sometimes you can go to that dark place and at times it is hard to come back from it.

CR: Get out of it, exactly. Yeah, that is what I have learned throughout my decent amount of horror or thriller dark material. I like it, I get drawn to it because I am a fan of it just as myself. But that is the biggest thing that I have learned and take yourself out of it and remember you’re making a movie, otherwise you kind of live in that space. Didn’t do it on this and it was fun.

(L-R) John Robinson as Butch DeFeo and Chelsea Ricketts as Dawn DeFeo in the “THE AMITYVILLE MURDERS” a horror film by Skyline Entertainment. Photo courtesy of Skyline Entertainment.

RTC: Are you working on anything now? Anything in the pipeline?  

CR: Yeah, I actually have a movie coming out. They haven’t set the date but it will be a movie premiering on Lifetime actually, and of course, it is a thriller. [Laughs] Stickin with the genre here. Definitely sticking with the genre. yeah, a couple of exciting films coming out.

RTC: Very good, well Chelsea thank you so much.

CR: Yeah, thanks, Ryan.

RTC: It was really great, a really great performance.

CR: Thank you for having me I appreciate it.

The Amityville Murders will be in Theaters, On Demand and Digital on February 8th!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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