Scream Queen Barabra Crampton (You’re Next, Chopping Mall, Re-Animator) and I sat down to discuss her role in “Into the Dark’s” July episode “Culture Shock”.
“Culture Shock” follows a young Mexican woman in pursuit of the American Dream, who crosses illegally into the United States, only to find herself in an American nightmare.
The episode also stars Martha Higareda (Altered Carbon and No Maches Frida), Richard Cabral (Mayans MC and American Crime), Shawn Ashmore (X-Men), and Creed Bratton (The Office).
Horror Fuel: “First let me confess, I love Chopping Mall.”
Barbara Crampton: “Oh (laughter)! Oh my god, so many people tell me that. It’s fun, right?”
Horror Fuel: “It is. What’s it like to be part of such amazing classics, like Chopping Mall, Re-Animator, From Beyond?”
Barbara Crampton: “Well, they’ve only become classics in the past number of years. When we made them, we were just trying to make the best movie possible that we could. You know, some of the reviews were divisive at the time on some of these films, but they’ve held up and people have grown to love them and they’ve become cult classics over the years. It’s really just been in the past decade. I’ve been working for thirty-five years as an actor and I think within the past ten to fifteen years it’s really hit me that something like Re-Animator, Chopping Mall, or From Beyond, and even Castle Freak have become something that people return to again and again, we just didn’t know it at the time. We just wanted to make good movies. Thank god they let us.”
Horror Fuel: “How did they pull off that death scene in Chopping Mall?”
Barbara Crampton: “I can’t do a fire scene, so I had a stunt double. They put on the flame retardant suit. They put a chemical over it and it catches on fire. They are only allowed to be on fire for a certain amount of time before they put it out. Sorry to disappoint people, I wasn’t on fire.”
Horror Fuel: “Oh, okay. I get it. I don’t think I would let someone light me on fire either.
In July’s episode of “Into the Dark: “Culture Shock” your character is a bit sinister. She gives off some seriously creepy vibes. If you will tell us about her.”
Barbara Crampton: “If I talk about that, it might reveal too much to people who haven’t seen it, but my character Betty would try to control Martha Higareda’s world as Marisol. I didn’t want her to get to close to the baby because I thought it would control what I wanted her purpose to be.”
Horror Fuel: “I found the world in “Culture Shock” very creepy. There is such a thing as too perfect. Also, the timing is uncanny with all of the current headlines about immigration and the drowning of that father and his daughter. I find the whole situation with immigration heartbreaking.”
Barbara Crampton: “There is a crisis at the border for sure. I think the movie puts a human face on the heartbreaking story and on an issue that’s been politicized with devastating results, families being separated for weeks and even sometimes months, kids being lost, people losing their lives trying to get across the border. This puts a very human face on a situation that I think no matter how you feel about this crisis, you can not deny what it’s doing to people. These people are really hurting and there’s a tragedy happening every day at the border. Nobody can deny that.”
Horror Fuel: The episode brings up that not only are they making a journey or being held in these facilities, but it also reminds us that so many bad things could and are happening on their way, assault, rape, death, so many terrible things.”
Barbara Crampton: “Oh, I know. like the little girl and her dad found in the river, and I think I was watching the news this morning, somebody was saying that since the 90s that over 7,000 people have lost their lives crossing the border. That’s a lot of people.”
Horror Fuel: “And that’s just the people they know about. So many who have been hurt and lost have been children. They’re innocent in all this.”
Barbara Crampton: “You are very right about that. When you see an image like that [drowned father and daughter], and pictures like we’ve seen in the last couple of days, this dad was trying to cross in the water with his daughter on his shoulders, they just didn’t make it. They were swept away and they both drowned. I think the mother was watching on the other side, she decided to stay behind. How can that not affect you? You’re hearing that story and seeing that picture and it’s heartbreaking. Tears come to my eyes just thinking about it. I don’t know these people, but I feel for them and feel for the loss of their families. They’re trying to escape something in their country that has put them at risk and I don’t know what to do, I’m not a politician, but it seems the politicians don’t know what to do either. It’s a crisis.
I’m happy to be part of this series (Into the Dark), and it’s really putting a face on the situation.”
Horror Fuel: “It is heartbreaking. And it’s insane that this is going on. Culture Shock brings up so many immigration issues.
If you could give a message to those who are watching Culture what would it be?”
Barbara Crampton: “We live our lives through hope and faith. I think Culture Shock is showing that part of it too, showing the character of Marisol’s ultimate faith and strength. Something better is available to her.
I want to say to people in that situation: We’re with you. I think if most people look into their heart and soul, they are saddened by this situation. There is solidarity out there. I want to help you as much as possible. I hope our government can rectify these horrendous things that are happening at our border. I’m hoping that things will get better for everyone.
“Into the Dark: Culture Shock” is now streaming on Hulu along with all previous episodes.
For regular updates on Barbra Crampton’s projects please follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
