South African Friend Request actress Liesl Ahlers and I got the chance to chat about her latest role as Erin in the new horror film Triggered and much more.
In Triggered, a group of high school friends reunites for a camping trip to honor the memory of their friend who passed away years before. But suddenly the group finds themselves locked in a fight for survival after they wake up to find they have bombs strapped to their chests.
Horror Fuel: “Tell me about Erin?”
Liesl Ahlers: “So I play Erin. She’s quiet and quite mysterious. People might see her as an introvert. She has a little bit of a mysterious side to her. But that’s not all she is. People think she’s a wallflower.”
Horror Fuel: “I watched Triggered last night and enjoyed it. It looks like it may have been difficult to film with so much running around in the woods at night. Was it? I imagine you got a few bumps and bruises.”
Liesl Ahlers: “It’s true [laughter]. Yeah, it was difficult. The director, Alastair Orr told us that if we tripped and fell he was going to film it. There were real woods, real spiders, it was raining, so it was muddy, so yeah, it was really difficult. But it was a lot of fun.
Oh, yes! I got a massive scratch on my face. I don’t even know how I got it. There were so many bugs too.”
Horror Fuel: “I imagine that was unpleasant. How long did the filming of Triggered take?
Liesl Ahlers: “Originally, we were going to shoot for seventeen days, but then the rain kind of screwed it up. We were only able to shot for eleven days.”
Horror Fuel: “Snakes and spiders, I imagine there were all sorts of critters out there.”
Liesl Ahlers: “Yes, it was insane!”
Horror Fuel: “Can you explain how the vests in the movie work?”
Liesl Ahlers: “Well, I think they were made out of some kind of foam latex. They were somewhat breathable. The lights are changing depending on how much time you have. In the movie, to get it off you have to take an ax or something. There was a line in the movie about to get it off you’d have to chop off your arms and head. Yeah, they had no way to get it off.”
Horror Fuel: “The vests really looked good. They were convincing.
In the movie you are supposed to be out there with a bunch of your friends, the thing is, they don’t seem much like friends.”
Liesl Ahlers: “I’ve been hearing that a lot in the reviews. It’s funny, especially for my character who is only friends with these people because of her boyfriend, Caleb. I think it’s one of those scenarios. How they are friends I don’t know [laughter].”
Horror Fuel: “Yeah, they aren’t really friends, that’s evident when the action starts.
This is an interesting question, if you were really in the situation that your character is experiencing in Triggered, what would you do?”
Liesl Ahlers: “I actually thought about this. I would get lost. I have no sense of direction. I would try and find a road and get out of there somehow. I know I wouldn’t kill anyone.”
Horror Fuel: “I hear that you are in South Africa right now.”
Liesl Ahlers: “I am. That’s where I live. The whole cast is actually from South Africa actually.”
Horror Fuel: “I love South African accents. They’re beautiful.
If you had to describe Triggered in seven words, what would they be?”
Liesl Ahlers: “Would. You. Kill. Your. Friends. Or. Not.”
Horror Fuel: “Good answer! What was your favorite part of making Triggered?”
Liesl Ahlers: “Oh, wow. I had a lot of favorite parts. It was so much fun. I think it was just the comradery and the cast members. I think we all became friends. We’re all the same age, and really got along with each other, and joked around.”
Horror Fuel: “Have you already found your next project?”
Liesl Ahlers: I have one coming out next year, it’s a sci-fi thriller called The Construct.”
Horror Fuel: “I will definitely have to check it out.”
Currently, in post-production, The Construct centers on Rachel Wilcox (Leisel). After awakening from a seemingly terrifying nightmare, Rachel slowly begins to discover that she is imprisoned in a seamless virtual simulation designed to study human behavior.
Horror Fuel: “What would your advice be to young girls wanting to be actresses?”
Liesl Ahlers: “I think it would be, just never compare yourself to other people. Celebrate your goals. Say, if you remembered all your lines in an audition and that was a goal, celebrate it. And don’t wait for the world to tell you that what you’ve achieved is a success.”
Horror Fuel: “Great advice from a great actress.”
Be sure to see Liesl in action in Triggered, landing on Digital and On Demand November 6th. In the meantime, you can also see her in the 2016 horror movie Friend Request, as Marina.
Keep up to date on Liesl’s projects by following her on Twitter and on Instagram where you can also view Liesl’s new handmade collection Call A Cab & Take It Slow.
