The Horror Revolution: Hey, thanks so much for taking the time to chat! I loved you in Trader and look forward to reading your answers!
First off, what’s your favorite horror movie? What movie scared you the most?
Kimberly-Sue Murray: OOOOooo great first question. I have a love/hate relationship with horror. I love watching and get such a kick from the anticipation, scare and release. I’m the girl who screams and then
laughs in the theatre. But when I was little, my older brother and cousin forced me to watch Nightmare on Elm Street and it traumatized me. For years, I would sleep in a fetal position with pillows or extra blankets at the base of my bed so that Freddie wouldn’t grab me and pull me down. Because of Chucky, I couldn't sleep with dolls around. I also don’t like mirrors because my cousins locked me in a bathroom when I was young and they conjured Bloody Mary.
Nowadays, I love horror films like Ari Aster’s Hereditary and Midsommar or shows like Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. I hope to one day work with both of them!
THR: Trader was phenomenal and you were a tour de force. It actually felt very much like a one-man stage show, the singular location and the ranginess of the performance. What inspired you in the performance, and how did you get so much out of such a limited production?
KSM: A few people said that Trader would be a great play and I would be so down to do it on stage. But, yes, when I first read the script, I was immediately compelled by the story, playing an anti-hero and the fact that it’s a one-location/one actor project. I felt terrified and exhilarated all at
once. And the great thing about indie micro-budget projects like this is that it’s led with passion and a deep love for filmmaking. I loved every bit of it.
THR: You’ve been in a ton of different horror projects (and obviously a lot of other genres as well). Do you have a favorite genre to work within, and what makes it your favorite?
KSM: My inner child loves anything with a supernatural twist or just full on fantasy; Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones. My adult self is super into post-apocalyptic or dystopian worlds. I’m obsessed with the Apple TV show Silo right now. I binged it when it came out and I’ve been carrying it with me ever since. I also enjoy family dramas like Bloodline.
THR: Trader was such a unique role in that you literally didn’t have to interact with anyone else on set. What were the challenges of knowing that everything in the film completely depended on you?
KSM: Lucky for me, we actually had the voice actors on set with us. We got to run lines and work on the scenes before we shot. It was really important for Corey (our director) and I to have live conversations to react to instead of a one-way phone conversation, which I find incredibly hard to sell. The voice actors were set up upstairs and we had a live feed so we could hear each other. It was perfect. In terms of being the only actor appearing on screen, it was a great challenge, a dream role really. I got to do the work, you know, really get in there. I spent a lot of my prep creating an elaborate backstory for her. I did a lot of emotional prep work, and thank god I did, because there was no time to think on the day. I had done my homework and the emotions just bubbled up whenever I needed them.
THR: Might be too early to talk about this, but what are the chances we’re going to see more from Trader? Like, where the hell does she go from here?!
KSM: Hahahaha oh man, that’s not on our radar. Trader, to be honest, was meant as a calling card for Corey and I. I would be more than happy to revisit her, but we’ve just never talked about it.
THR: If you could work with anyone in the industry, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
KSM: It’s too hard to choose… but right now, I would die for an opportunity to work with Denis Villeneuve, fellow Quebecer and truly one of the best directors out there! I’d also love to work with Tom Cruise and do some crazy stunts. Oh and Sandra Oh, another badass Canadian!
THR: What inspired you to want to become an actress? Were there any particular films or roles that made you know that’s what you wanted to do with your life?
KSM: I was 9 years old when I decided to be an actor. I couldn’t believe that these people were paid to play pretend. I’m also from a very small town in Eastern Quebec and growing up there weren't a lot of opportunities, so I had a longing to escape. I got to escape through storytelling.
THR: How much of choosing a role, or choosing to audition for a role, is influenced by a particular draw to a certain character? Are there things you look for in a character that make you want to take part in that role?
KSM: For me it comes down to whether or not the script excites me. If I can’t put it down or if I can see it in my mind’s eye while I’m reading and ideas are just bubbling up then that’s a good indication. Role-wise, I always like to play something new. I got stuck playing romantic leads for a while and I got too comfortable and honestly, I got lazy. So I chopped my hair off and focused on different types of characters.
THR: What’s next for you? Is there anything interesting coming up soon that you can talk about?
KSM: I’m currently working on a horror film. I can’t talk about it yet, but I am so excited. We have a great cast and a fantastic director at the helm.
THR: Finally, if you could start a secret society, what would you call it to get the most members that you could as quickly as you could? And can I please be a member if you decide to start a secret society?
KSM: Hahahahaha my secret society wouldn’t have a name nor would anyone know about it. I’ll send you an invite via snail mail.
THR: Thanks so much for taking the time, I really appreciate it! For real, your performance was awe-inspiring, and I think Trader is likely to end up on my Best Of for the year. Incredible film, incredible performance.
KSM: Thank you so so much!
