Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.
As The Exorcism gets ready to scare audiences in Australian cinemas on June 13, Nick L’Barrow had the opportunity to chat with actress and singer Chloe Bailey about her relationship with the horror genre, how she was able to utilise her skills in dance to make a convincing possessed performance, and working with Australian royalty, Russell Crowe.
Nick: Horror is a genre I love, so I’m excited to chat with you today about The Exorcism! But I did read that horror isn’t necessarily a genre you’re a fan of. Has your relationship with horror changed at all now having done The Exorcism?
Chloe Bailey: I was a huge scaredy cat going into the filming process! And to be quite honest with you… that hasn’t really left [laughs]. I’m still a scaredy cat!
But I’m so happy that I was able to be a part of such an incredible film that, you know, we filmed it pre-COVID. So, I’m happy that it’s finally seeing the light. And I hope everyone enjoys it as much as we had fun making it.
Nick: One of the things I love about the horror genre is that it’s a great vessel to explore themes like addiction and trauma, much like this film does. What do you think it is about horror that makes for such an interesting genre to explore theme like this?
Chloe Bailey: Well, what I loved about it is that when you vibrate at a lower frequency, you can open yourself up to just about anything. And you know, dealing with addiction and depressing, none of that is ever easy.
So, I really like the way they connected that they did within this film, especially the relationship between Lee [Ryan Simpkins] and her dad [Russel Crowe]. I just thought it was such a brilliant job, the way that was done.
Nick: I want to ask about your process of discovering Blake as a character, because she is someone who is trying to find her way within the film industry, which is something I’m sure you could have related to with your own journey as an artist. How did your own journey within this industry help inform decisions you made about Blake?
Chloe Bailey: I definitely was able to use inspiration. Blake is figuring herself out, not only through who she is as an actress, but also who she is as a woman, and her sexuality, and what makes her truly happy. I really loved that I got to show that on screen through her.
I could definitely related, you know. Even as we were going over the script with the director [Joshua John Miller], and Ryan and I, it was just really special how I was able to tap into that place of vulnerability that I never really get to expose too often.
Nick: The vulnerability between Blake and Lee in this film is a big part of the dramatic side of the story. What was it like developing that relationship with Ryan Simpkins to really make it feel authentic on screen?
Chloe Bailey: Absolutely. Ryan was so dope! It was first experience, like on screen, kissing another female and she made it so easy and comfortable. We bonded so much on set, and we were the only ones always around each other.
We filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, so we’d hang out, we’d go dancing, we’d go clubbing together. And you know, I don’t go out too much, so it was definitely fun! We spent Halloween together. Then there was a karaoke night for one of the wrap parties, and it was just so fun.
I’m grateful that we were able to build that chemistry off screen so that it can fill up on screen.
Nick: It really adds to the humanity of Blake, but on the other end of the spectrum, you also get to delve a little into the physicality of horror with some possession scenes. But what I’m curious to find out is whether your background in dance and performance actually helped create the movements of Blake when she is possessed?
Chloe Bailey: Actually, I’m really glad you asked that question! It actually did! You know, I have to arch my back in a certain way and use my flexibility to act as if I was possessed on the bed.
During the possession, it’s like your body deforms in a way, and usually they’ll use like stunt doubles or things like that. But when it came to me, arching my back and doing things like that, I definitely had to tap into the dancer movement side of myself, and really just get lost in the moment for that experience.
Nick: Some people going to see this movie may not know this, but The Exorcism was written and directed by Joshua John Miller, who is the son of Jason Miller, who famously played Father Karras in The Exorcist. And this film is partly inspired by the stories his father told him about that set. How did the stories Joshua told you about his father’s experience help you understand the type of movie he wanted to make?
Chloe Bailey: I just love how the universe will have these little nuggets, and I feel like the universe almost played a fun game on Joshua and his father! I remember him sharing stories and it was really cool because we then wanted to live up to all of those previous movies that came before this, even though we we’re telling it in our own way.
I mean, it was so long ago, so I don’t remember any stories specifically. But I do remember being scared on our set, thinking like, “I hope there’s not an actual curse on this set!”
Nick: As an Australian, I think I’m almost legally bound to ask about what your experience was like working with Russell Crowe!
Chloe Bailey: [laughs] Russell was the absolute best. He treated me with kindness and respect. And he was like a giant teddy bear. We we’re always just joking around. He was playing great music, like he really loves music! He was telling me about his farm in Australia.
I just really appreciated the kindness from his and just welcoming me in the way he did. I’ll never forget that.
Thank you so much to Chloe Bailey for her time, and to Rialto Distribution and NedCo PR for organsing the interview. The Exorcism is in cinemas June 13.
