Exclusive – Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Gerard Bush & More Talk Antebellum

Horror can take many forms. It can be a masked man with a knife stalking babysitters. It can be a demonic force that terrorizes a group of teenagers at a cabin in the woods. It can also be something that is part of our history. ANTEBELLUM tells the story of Veronica Henley/Eden (Janelle Monáe), a woman who is kept as a slave under a cruel and vicious Southern slave owner. Yet it's a difficult movie to define the plot in simple terms as the story takes a few intriguing twists. Written and directed by Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, the film also stars Jena Malone, Eric Lange, Jack Huston, Tongayi Chirisa, Kiersey Clemons, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Cowles, and more. And while the critical reception has been mixed, I was moved and horrified by the terrors on display.

We recently had the great opportunity to chat with a few of the cast members, as well as the filmmakers behind ANTEBELLUM. First up, we spoke with Mr. Bush and Mr. Renz, and they opened up about bringing a bit of GONE WITH THE WIND to the look of the new film. The two discussed taking on such a controversial subject and bringing it to a modern-day audience. This includes the decision to bring it to VOD in the time of COVID-19. This is a gorgeously shot feature, one that also includes an incredible finale, one that is wildly stunning and more than a little heartbreaking. Again, it's a difficult film to discuss if you aren't interested in spoilers.

Separately we spoke to both Lily Cowles and Tongayi Chirisa. And they were both incredible. Ms. Cowles represents a portion of this film that takes a unique turn. She discussed working with both Janelle Monáe and Gabourey Sidibe, and how her storyline adds a level of understanding to the situation Veronica finds herself in. As for Mr. Chirisa, the actor gives a terrific performance, and unlike Cowles, he represents a far more horrific portion of the film. He opened up about his experiences working on the film, and about taking on such a challenging role. Both actors give incredible support to this amazing cast.

And finally, we sat down with both Jena Malone and Jack Huston. Having had the opportunity to interview both in the past, it was especially cool to chat with them about what they bring to the story. Jena and Jack have both taken on villainous roles, and these two characters are about as evil as you can get. This is a fascinating film, one that seems to be a bit divisive for critics. However, the stunning cinematography, the haunting score, the powerful performances, and the creative storytelling brought it all to life for this viewer brilliantly. ANTEBELLUM opens today on all your favorite streaming services. If you'd like to see something unique and scarily atmospheric, this may be the flick for you.