Why Terrifier’s Lauren LaVera Was ‘Terrified’ to Star in New Horror Movie Twisted | Interview
ComingSoon Senior Editor Brandon Schreur spoke to Twisted star Lauren LaVera about the new horror thriller movie. LaVera discussed why she wanted to join the project, how her Paloma character differs from Sienna in the Terrifier movies, and more. We also have an exclusive clip from the film, which you can check out in the article.
“From the director of Saw II and Spiral, a con artist’s real estate scam unravels into a nightmare when she’s captured by a surgeon with a terrifying plan,” the official synopsis reads. “Starring Lauren LaVera (Terrifier 2-4) and Djimon Hounsou (A Quiet Place: Day One).”
Twisted will be available to buy or rent digitally on Friday, February 6, 2026, from Republic Pictures.
Brandon Schreur: I want to ask how this project came about for you. What’s the story of how you got cast in Twisted, and what made you want to be part of this really cool and unique horror movie?
Lauren LaVera: That’s a great question. Darren Lynn Bousman, the director, he reached out to me a few years prior. We just both kind of expressed that we were fans of each other. He mentioned that he wanted to work with me in the future. I, in all honesty, didn’t really believe that would happen. I was just like, ‘Oh, sure, that’s a nice thing to say.’ I hear that a lot in the industry, like, ‘Oh, I’d love to work with you!’ And you just think it’s nice, fluffy words.
But he really followed through with it. He DM’ed me — which, I don’t check my DMs, it’s just become a weird place, now. We had a mutual friend reach out and say, ‘Hey, Darren has been trying to DM you. He’d like to offer you this role.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, crap! I got to check it out and get back to him.’
So, we got each other’s numbers, and he sent me the script. And, I mean, I was already a little biased because I knew Darren would be a part of it, and he just seemed so lovely. I love his work. He has such a specific artistic vision that I really respect, and he doesn’t waver, ever, on his vision. Again, I respect that very much as an artist. I read the script and fell in love with Paloma, immediately. The rest was just, like, nice add-ons. I love that it went from this kind of queer, romantic heist movie to this body horror. I just loved the journey it took you on. I also found out that Djimon would be part of it, and I was like, ‘Okay, that’s the final nail in the coffin. I’m doing this.’
I found out three weeks before filming that I was going to work on it, so I had three weeks to prepare. Then it was off to the races. I’m so happy that I said yes, because it was one of the best experiences of my life.
Oh, sure. That jumps into what I want to ask you next, too, because I love the Terrifier movies, and I love the Sienna character in those movies. But something I was so happy and surprised with is that you’re playing a totally different character in here. You’re bringing something totally different to this performance, and I loved it. I loved watching and seeing where it went. What was it about this character, Paloma, that really stuck out to you when you were reading the script for the first time, and what aspect did you have the most fun exploring with her?
Oh, that’s a lovely question. I fully agree with you and I’m so happy that you see a completely different person in Paloma, because so did I when I read her. I wanted the challenge of playing someone completely different. I know I’m known for a very specific character, and I’m so grateful for that, but I just loved her sense of humor. I feel like her sense of humor really popped off the page.
I was obsessed with the writers, Jonathan and James, who did Unsane. I also thought there was this weird sense of humor to that as well. So I loved the writing, first of all. I thought that Paloma had this mischievous sense of play that I was terrified to play. I was terrified. I didn’t know how I’d approach it. I just knew that I wanted to be her, so I thought maybe if I pretended to be her long enough, I might absorb some of her coolness. So it was really just my own journey into my own vanity in becoming a more interesting person, I think, which is why I took this role.
In all honesty and all truthfulness, I just thought she was so cool, so mischievous, and I just wanted to see what it’d feel like to kind of play a criminal. I think the most I’ve ever stolen in my life is a bottle of nail polish as a teen. And I think even then, my mom made me go back to CVS to return it. So I wasn’t a very accomplished thief like she was. But she was really fun to play.
Thanks to Lauren LaVera for taking the time to discuss Twisted.
Source: Comingsoon.net