Some people are born with an affinity for the darker things in life.
Its easy to imagineDavid CronenbergwatchingNosferatuwhile still in diapers or a prepubescentWes Cravenstudying serial killers.
But that wasnt the case withMelissa Barrera.
Nimesh Niyomal
And yet, the Mexican actor has become a face of modern horror.
But then Ghostface came knocking.
Ever since, Barrera has kept company with killers, vampires, and monsters.
Image via Vertical
So, how did a self-proclaimed scaredy-cat leap to the forefront of horror cinema?
Within minutes of talking with Barrera, it’s possible for you to tell shes a people person.
I remind her we spoke forAbigail, which was shot in Dublin.
I’m a romantic.
I love rom-coms, and I love sweeping, epic romances.
TheWizard of Ozconnection didnt stop there.
It was the first school play Barrera starred in.
I assume she played Dorothy, but she proudly corrects me, I played tree number three.
I had one line.
Image via Universal
Barreras 15 seconds consisted of her saying, How do you like them apples?
as she pelted Dorothy and the Tin Man with the fruit.
I’m a romantic.
Image via NEON
I love rom-coms, and I love sweeping, epic romances.
Her youth was also when she discovered the genre that would give her first acting roles Mexican telenovelas.
Mexicos musical childrens telenovelas and their young performers who would become superstars in their own right were Barreras inspiration.
After her life falls apart, soft-spoken actress Laura Franco finds her voice again when she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming Monster living in her closet. A romantic-comedy-horror film about falling in love with your inner rage.
They would go on tour and do concerts with their soundtracks, and they would become pop stars.
It seemed a faraway hope at the time.
Barrera is happy to credit some of her success to sheer luck.
After all,she bagged the role that made her the co-lead inVidaonly three auditions after landing in LA.
That movie really traumatized me,she admits, I think it just turned me off.
We agree that this unshakable fear of certain movies comes from having an overactive imagination.
It wasnt until someone pointed it out to her recently that she realized the throughline.
However, the happy endings arent accidental.
I ask Barrera about how growing up in Mexico impacted her approach to her work.
Barrera is adamant that ones upbringing cant help but influence you as an adult.
I bring all of my experiences into everything that I do,she replies.
Her breakout movie came in 2020 withJon M. Chus adaptation ofLin Manuel MirandasIn the Heights.
Barrera stars as a pregnant woman forced into, yes, bed rest, after a fall.
While it may not be one of her box-office bangers, Barrera is undoubtedly its best part.
I want a character that feels fully human, that feels like somebody that I know.
Barrera ensures that in every role.
Its beautiful because I feel like it’s very relevant.
We’re all a little angry right now, if not a lot.
In fact, she starts the movie as a doormat, somewhat of a change for the actor.
Its easy to see traces ofRon Perlmans 90sBeauty and the Beastcharacter in Tommy Deweys leading monster.
The chemistry between the two is palpably electric.
With limited time and budget, Dewey and Barrera didnt have such luxuries.
Tommy and I did not have time, and sometimes it’s a little bit of magic.
It’s like the magic of casting.
It was really special to just know Tommy as Monster.
I fell in love with Monster.
She credits a lot to directorCaroline Lindy.
Caroline creates such a beautiful and safe, playful environment.
In the end, even Barrera was surprised by how romantic the final cut was.
You just need the right person behind the lens.
You need someone who is willing to take big swings.
The conversation shifts to2024 being the year for girl/monster romances.
Both movies revolve around an unlikely, monstrous couple while ensuring independent character growth for their female leads.
You just need the right person behind the lens.
You need someone who is willing to take big swings.
Its a mix that has revealed the pros and cons of each.
Yes, theres more money and resources with the big houses, she admits.
Leading projects for Paramount and Universal have catapulted Barrera to international stardom and horror icon status.
But Barrera longs for a Hollywood that takes more risks.
In the studio system, sometimes they don’t care.
That’s how we keep cinema alive, she says.
We need more of that.
For now, Barrera seems to be taking a break from horror and returning to television and drama films.
I ask if the hiatus is intentional.
She assures me it isnt.
Maybe this is the perfect opportunity for her to giveSawanother chance.
A movie ending withNicolas Cagekissing us goodbye after he exclaims, Hail Satan is nightmare fuel whatever your religion.
Just dont expect her to show up in your next Exorcism movie.
“I feel like I’m very good at listening to my gut.”
While demons are a no-go, Barrera (and her gut) is perfectly comfortable with maniacal serial killers.
I thought the ending of [Scream] 6 was great.
I am very okay with where we left things,she says.
I thought the ending of [Scream] 6 was great.
It comes as no surprise that collaborators want to reunite with Barrera.
I just think that there’s nothing more satisfying and beautiful than seeing that.
And that extends beyond her collaborators.
I am that way because of necessity, she says.
I am that way because I have to be.
Your Monsteris in theaters now.
A romantic-comedy-horror film about falling in love with your inner rage.
