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INTERVIEW: Judah Lewis on Returning to ‘The Babysitter: Killer Queen’

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Judah Lewis

Judah Lewis is reprising his role as Cole from Netflix’s The Babysitter in the soon-to-be released sequel The Babysitter: Killer Queen and it would be an understatement to say that he’s excited for fans to see the next chapter in the franchise.

iHorror caught up with Lewis at a press junket this week where we talked about what it was like stepping back into this role.

As it turns out, murmurs and rumors of a sequel began almost immediately after the successful release of the first film. The filmmakers were knocked out by the viewer reactions, but even though the buzz was high, it was still several months before the project officially began moving forward. For Lewis, that meant it was the first time in his professional career that he would have the opportunity to return to a character he’d previously played.

“It was just so unbelievably exciting for me,” Lewis said, “because Cole is a character that’s so close to my heart and that I identified with so much and related to so much. To be able to bring him back to life and explore where he’s at in his life, now, and where his story went was so fun.”

Without giving too much away, Cole is struggling as the film begins because no one in his life believes what he tells them about the series of events that took place in the first film leaving him in a place that’s without a date even more vulnerable than the first film.

In fact, he’s come to the place where even he’s not sure that what he experienced actually happened. It’s a shaky foundation at best for someone already dealing with the constant trials of high school. Fortunately for Lewis and Cole that leaves a lot of room for growth.

THE BABYSITTER: KILLER QUEEN (L to R) JUDAH LEWIS as COLE and EMILY ALYN LIND as MELANIE in THE BABYSITTER: KILLER QUEEN. Cr. TYLER GOLDEN/NETFLIX © 2020

“What’s so cool about this film and the first one as well is the massive character arc that happens which always the most challenging but the most fulfilling thing as an actor,” he explained. “In the first film, we see him kind of progress from boyhood to manhood in the course of a night. And then, because of the events that transpired post-the first film in this film, we see him kind of start out and be incredibly shaky and in the course of the film we see him step into his own shoes and become comfortable in his own skin.”

Lewis was also bolstered by the fact that almost the entire cast from the first film returned for its sequel. I won’t tell you how so as not to spoil the surprise of course, but for the actor, reuniting with his castmates only made the experience more exciting.

“They’re just the greatest people,” the actor said. “It’s the kind of thing where you’re working sometimes and it’s work, but on a Babysitter movie, it’s really not work. Everyone’s just playing around and performing their hearts out and improving and coming up with different things. It’s incredible. Everybody’s genuine excitement creates this electric energy in the film.”

Moreover, Lewis says it was fun to build upon the relationships that were established in the first film.

Though they were all out to kill him, the chemistry between the characters and the unlikely bonds he seemed to form with them throughout that first crazy film was undeniable. In The Babysitter: Killer Queen, we see those relationships ratcheted up to the next level without any pretense.

The Babysitter: Killer Queen

THE BABYSITTER: KILLER QUEEN (L to R) JENNA ORTEGA as PHOEBE and JUDAH LEWIS as COLE in THE BABYSITTER: KILLER QUEEN. Cr. TYLER GOLDEN/NETFLIX © 2020

The icing on this production cake for Lewis, however, was the return of McG as director. As the actor explained, McG kept them on their toes throughout the shoot and the film is better because of it.

“He had this way of getting into a scene and he’s showing you all these references from old movies that perfectly kind of encapsulate what he wants certain scenes to feel like,” he pointed out. “Then he’s also coming in between takes and going to an actor and whispering something in their ear. Then you’re doing the next take and that actor will say whatever he told them to in the middle of the scene and it’s completely unexpected and it takes the scene in an entirely new direction and lets everyone kind of play off of each other. It creates this kind of really fun, energetic environment that is so apparent in the film.”

The Babysitter: Killer Queen is set to debut on September 10, 2020 on Netflix, and the next question is would Judah Lewis return for a third installment?

“I would be there tomorrow,” he said, laughing. “I just love these films so much. I love Cole as a character so much and I personally want to see where the next stage of his life takes him. I want to see him get through high school. I’m sure there are more demons out there for him to face.”

We shall see, Mr. Lewis. We shall see.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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