In the realm of J-Horror, few names command as much respect and reverence as The Grudge. This legendary film franchise encompasses multiple Japanese and American films, many of which were directed by Takashi Shimizu. For the latest take on the storied series, director Nicolas Pesce (The Eyes of My Mother, Piercing) is taking the reins to an effort to introduce the story to a new generation of viewers.
This new version of The Grudge is a total reboot of the series and boasts a whole new mythology for audiences to unravel as the film goes on. The new cast includes Andrea Riseborough, Demián Bichir, John Cho, and Insidious star Lin Shaye. At NYCC 2019, Screen Rant got the chance to sit down with Shaye and discuss her work on the film, and how her character stands in stark contrast to her career-defining turn in the Insidious films. She also talks about her career, of how she starred in off-Broadway shows back in the 1960s and her recent cameo in Ambition, the latest from from her brother (and legendary New Line Cinema founder), Bob Shaye.
The Grudge releases in theaters on January 3, 2020.
I have to say, this is a really special interview for me. I recently got to interview your brother, Bob, for his movie, Ambition, and it was truly incredible to get to speak with him.
Bob is one of the smartest men, not just in the business, but he's one of the smartest men I know. Even being my big brother, he's changed the face of a lot of things in the film business, and in filmmaking. He gave a lot of people opportunities. There was a wonderful article, talking about the time when New Line Cinema was hotsy-totsy, it was a time when a lot of stuff was happening that shouldn't have been happening. But Bob, he gave many women such fabulous opportunities in terms of producing, writing, and directing. There was a "me too" awareness, supporting women. I'm so proud that that's who he was back then. You know, he likes women, but he knows how to treat them right (Laughs).
I'm glad you say that, because... Actually, I was too scared to ask him directly, but the impression I've always had was that Miramax kind of stole from New Line's playbook, but was also kind of gross.
Yes. That's exactly right. They were both innovators in many respects, but Bob is a creative gentleman. Bob loves creativity and creative people. And me! Do you know how I got Nightmare on Elm Street? Bob said, "Put my sister in your movie." You know how I got into Critters? Bob said, "Put my sister in your movie." Dumb & Dumber! That's how I met the Farrelly Brothers. Bob said, "Put my sister in your movie." And he always pretended he didn't say anything.
Speaking for myself, I know I wouldn't be where I am without someone who mentored me and gave me opportunities, really took care of me.
We're lucky. It's called good luck. I have such regard for him. I'm so proud to be his sister. And I love Ambition, I thought it really came out great!
I was so blown away by it.
It's almost like an old Hitchcock.
But I need to ask you about The Grudge, because if I don't, I'll get in trouble. But what we saw of it looks so promising, and I'm hyped. I talked to Andrea earlier. Were there ever moments where you felt a need to talk to these actors and filmmakers about how to do it, to give them hints from the point of view of the elder statesman of the room?
Never. I'm as scared as anybody the day I begin work on something. I have only one goal, and it's to communicate with my scene partners, communicate with the director, be inspired, have my ideas heard, and to create the best story we can. I'm more surprised than anybody that people know my name. I really mean that. I'm not being BS humble. It's just not what I'm about at all. I never thought about coming to Hollywood. It's just not what I do! I'm a storyteller, and I try to make the story as best I can.
So, 1967, back when Bob started New Line, what were you up to? What were your life goals at the time?
In '67, I was at Columbia University, in their theater program. I was a three-year Master of Fine Arts for Columbia. I went to University of Michigan, I was an Art History major. I had my proverbial year in Europe, which is another conversation. But then I came back and enrolled at Columbia. I auditioned and got in. So in '67, I was finishing my second or third year at Columbia, in theater. I never thought about movies, but I was here, in New York, so I was beginning to explore. Off-off Broadway was just beginning to start, so I was in play after play after play after play. My whole life was all about, "When do I get the next play?" We had that wonderful opportunity back then, because all these theaters like Playwright's Horizon, Chelsea Theater Center, I mean, every small little theater, which is now a big theater, even Lincoln Center.
Wow, it sounds like a Golden Age.
It was The Golden Age. It truly was The Golden Age of theater. I feel like the luckiest person on the planet to have worked back then.
You said you've been lucky, but if there were ever any doubters, Insidious silenced them all. That role has become your signature part, so for The Grudge, what would you say distinguishes your character here from that one?
Elise (from Insidious) is a giver. I'm still shocked that she became as popular as she did. There's something about her character, where everybody's a taker, everybody's about "Me, me, me," and Elise is about "You, you, you." She has no ego in that way, zero. Her life is about making your life better. That's a pretty great character! I don't think about that when I play her, but that's the elements that have been presented in her story. Faith (in The Grudge) is just a little, ordinary person who fell in love with a black man. It's a white/black relationship, which can still, today, be pretty controversial. So that, I can imagine, had some level of resonance for her as a young woman, being married to her husband for quite a long time. And she's afflicted, and I've never played a character like that. Not only is she afflicted by dementia, but she's afflicted by The Grudge. She becomes infected and afflicted. It's funny, that's insidious. That's the true meaning of that word, this thing that takes her and destroys her.
It's going to be terrifying and tragic to watch!
