Last Straw’s Jessica Belkin Says She Was a ‘Weird’ Kid Who Loved Horror

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Last Straw's Jessica Belkin Says She Was a 'Weird' Kid Who Loved Horror

I’ve always been captivated by the raw power and emotional depth that horror films can convey, and Jessica Belkin is a shining example of an actress who truly embodies that spirit. Having grown up as the self-proclaimed “weird kid” with a love for all things spooky, it’s no surprise that Belkin found her calling in the gritty, adrenaline-fueled world of horror thrillers.

Jessica Belkin, known for “Pretty Little Liars,” portrays a character on the brink in Alan Scott Neal’s debut horror-thriller, “Last Straw.” The film promises an abundance of suspense and shocking surprises as Belkin’s character, Nancy, finds herself in peril when a band of masked attackers unexpectedly storm a rural diner during her night shift. However, Belkin thrives on challenging roles in films and series that are packed with jump scares and mental curveballs. In a recent interview with MovieWeb, the actress expressed her fondness for horror thrillers, highlighting their appeal.

In another life, Wren, I played the role of a bloodthirsty vampire on American Horror Story: Hotel. As a youngster, I had a peculiar fascination with horror that made me stand out; I’d often express my love for it by saying, “I adore horror!” Fast forward to Last Straw, and I felt like I was taking my first significant step back into the world of horror as an adult.

Part of the appeal of horror to Belkin is being able to go beyond artifice and into visceral thrills and chills. “I would love to do like a Monster / Charlize Theron type of role,” saidBelkin. “It would be really challenging and super fun. Or, a Girl Interrupted / Angelina Jolie [role], something a bit more out there… gritty is what I’m going for.” She’s certainly got it with Last Straw.

Jessica Belkin Is Sick of the Typecast

In “Last Straw,” I find myself in a situation where I need to think fast as I face a questionable gang who might have more than just scaring me in mind. This role certainly pushed my limits, and Belkin revealed that several remarkable actresses have influenced me: “I’ve always been inspired by Natalie Portman. She’s one of my favorite actresses… and when it comes to horror, I look up to Drew Barrymore and Jamie Lee Curtis. They are the ‘screen queens’ of our industry.” I continued by stating:

“I feel like others might categorize me as the ‘mean girl’ or the ‘influencer,’ but I prefer roles that show a more authentic, gritty side of my character, like Nancy in Last Straw. There’s so much depth to me that I want to express on screen.

You can catch “Last Straw” in movie theaters starting September 20th. It’s also available for streaming on platforms such as YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango Now, and Amazon Prime Video through the link provided. Here’s a sneak peek of its trailer below:

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2024-09-21 05:03