[Interview] Ryan Simpkins Talks ‘The Exorcism’, Meta Horror, Faith in Art, and Halloween
The new meta horror movie The Exorcism arrives in theaters this week, and we recently talked to Ryan Simpkins (Fear Street trilogy) about finding salvation through faith in art, and how the film itself is somewhat of an exorcism of the patriarchy that has historically defined the religion that surrounds typical exorcist movies, because this is no ordinary exorcist movie.
From Miramax, producer Kevin Williamson (Scream franchise) and Outerbanks Entertainment, the film is directed by Joshua John Miller and written by Miller and M.A. Fortin, the creators of the hit series Queen of The South and the writers and producers of The Final Girls. The film stars film stars Academy Award®-winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator, The Mummy, The Pope’s Exorcist), Ryan Simpkins (Fear Street Trilogy), Sam Worthington (Avatar: The Way of Water), Chloe Bailey (Praise This), Adam Goldberg (The Equalizer), and David Hyde Pierce (Frasier).
The Exorcism follows Anthony Miller (Crowe), a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter (Simpkins) wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play.
The film marks the sophomore outing as director for Joshua John Miller after an extensive career acting, producing, and writing. He began his career as the son of Tom Atkins’ character in the 1982 sequel Halloween III: Season of the Witch and then as one of the leads in Kathryn Bigelow’s vampire classic Near Dark. Miller brings decades of knowledge of horror films to the table, as well as familial connections in his father, Jason Miller, who portrayed Father Damien Karras in The Exorcist (1973), and his mother, Susan Bernard, who was a Scream Queen.
The film is produced by Miramax, Kevin Williamson, Ben Fast, and Bill Block, with Padraic McKinley, Scott Putman, Andrew Golov, and Thom Zadra serving as executive producers.
In our video conversation last week, we also of course talked about celebrating Halloween, Ryan’s favorite costume and candy, and more.
The Exorcism will have an exclusive theatrical release starting this Friday, June 21.
You can watch our full exclusive interview with Ryan Simpkins below.
Related: [Interview] Adam Goldberg Talks ‘The Exorcism’ and Getting Married on Halloween
