Ali Larter this year returned to the horror genre she’s flourished in previously in the sci-fi horror flick The Diabolical (out on DVD this month!). The American actress, who we’ve seen in memorable movies including the Resident Evil and Final Destination franchises, Legally Blonde and not to mention Heroes on the small screen, recently took some time out of a hectic filming schedule to fill us in on The Diabolical and her latest projects, one of which includes returning to Resident Evil for its final chapter…
You’ve been involved in quite a few horror films over the years – as an actress, what attracts you to the genre?
This genre offers the opportunity to explore situations and emotions that rarely, if ever, occur in real life. In that sense, they are metaphorical to me and definitely from time to time, it’s a place I want to go to and explore. As an actor, I am blessed to be able to pursue different life experiences, and the horror genre is a lot of fun to be part of.
What attracted you to The Diabolical in particular?
Definitely the mom/children relationship. The situation they find themselves in was a way for me to explore the depth of my connection with my children and myself as a mother.
You likely talked about the cross-genre elements that were quite unexpected (look at me, trying to make a conversation happen in the e-mail format) – which I really enjoyed. Do you hope the film surprises people as it moves between genres?
Alistair [Legrand] is so great and made a great film. I was definitely excited to be involved with him, helping to express the story that he wanted to tell, and part of that was to turn things a little upside down. Or was it inside out?
Did the ending surprise you when you first read the script?
Honestly, it was confusing. And that’s a great thing. It’s hard to be surprised.
I’ve read plenty of interviews where you are asked to talk about how the family aspect of your character is relatable to you, now being a mother. It’s like asking someone, what’s it like playing a daughter, as a daughter yourself. Anyway… I’d actually like to know what about the character you didn’t relate to?
Everything an actor does is fiction and part of the process is an exploration of everything with the characters set of eyes. Yes, the family aspect hooked me personally, but once I said ‘yes’, the work was figuring out my characters relation to the circumstances.
What sort of experience do you hope people have when they watch the film?
I hope anyone inspired to see a film, based on what they’ve seen (commercials, trailer), read (interviews, reviews, articles), I can only hope they see what they expected.
You’re currently filming the final Resident Evil film – it must be strange going in knowing that this is the final hurrah of what has been a surprisingly long running series! How is filming going? Anything you can tease us with?
Playing Claire has definitely been a highlight of my career, and to be able to return to her over the past decade was great luck. Working with Milla [Jovovich] and Paul [W.S Anderson] is a dream, they make it so effortless. Pure joy.
I remember the reports coming out that you weren’t involved in Heroes Reborn earlier this year, or last year even, which surprised a lot of people – was there ever a point you were going to cameo (or maybe you have and it hasn’t happened yet)?
Playing my ladies on the first round of Heroes was an amazing experience for me. I’m not aware of any rumors that I was involved with the reboot. Tim’s [Kring] world is so rich and creative and I’m so happy for him to have the opportunities to continue to expand.
Have you had a chance to watch the series yet? Any thoughts about the direction they’ve taken?
Shooting in South Africa was definitely being in a programming bubble – it’s like information lockdown. I have a lot to catch up on.
>What else do you have coming up? What are you working on at the moment? Sounds like there’s a lot happening – Cook Books, TV… Plug away!
I’m starting my second cookbook, pitching a scripted series with Liz Brixius, working on my website, developing unscripted food, travel and entertaining programming, raising two children, reading scripts…. It’s perfect.
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The Diabolical is out on DVD December 30th.
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