Horror fans may recognize actress Hannah Emily Anderson from her roles in Jigsaw, The Curse of Audrey Earnshaw, X-Men: Dark Phoenix and USA Network’s The Purge. Up next for Hannah, Epic Pictures’ Dark Nature, which was just released in select theaters and VOD. Written and directed by Berkley Brady, Dark Nature follows Joy, a survivor of domestic violence, as she joins her friend Carmen and her therapy group on an isolated weekend retreat in the Canadian Rockies. Led by the enigmatic Dr. Dunnley-whose methods are experimental and, at times, dubious from Joy’s outside perspective -the experience eventually shatters the border between reality and delusion. Joy begins to suspect that they are being stalked by her abuser, when in truth, the entire group will be forced to confront a threat even more terrifying than the monsters of their past. 

Recently we caught up with the candid Anderson to talk about her Dark Nature role, the upcoming Return to Silent Hill, for which she also stars and much more. Dark Nature is now available on VOD.

-You have starred in horror projects such as The Purge TV series, The Curse of Audrey Earnshaw, Jigsaw and now Dark Nature. Are you particularly drawn to the horror genre, or why do you think you keep getting cast in these darker projects?

It’s funny, I never made a conscious choice to do so much horror. Every time I finish a horror project I think to myself NEVER AGAIN, and then somehow I’m pulled back in. There is clearly something that draws me to it.  I think I thrive playing higher stakes and I have a morbid curiosity that makes me want to dive into these darker sides of humanity again and again.  I’m fascinated by it. It can be so thrilling to play within the realm of life or death.  It’s never boring, that’s for sure. 

-Can you talk about what stuck out to you most when you first read the Dark Nature script?

What stuck out to me most was the fact that this was a story about WOMEN.  I was excited to work with a female cast and director.  I also remember when I read it for the first time, the brutality of the first scene portraying domestic abuse really hit me.  This is just a moment in a movie, but it is a very real part of so many women’s lives. 

-What scene in Dark Nature was the hardest for you to film? Why?

The water scenes were a big obstacle for me.  We had wet suits under our costumes, but it was very cold and claustrophobic.  It was 3 days of hell, honestly.  It becomes harder to think clearly the longer you’re in there. But it definitely amps up the scene.  No acting required!

-Where did you get your inspiration for your character in Dark Nature?

I watched as many interviews and documentaries about domestic abuse that I could.  I also know people in my life who are survivors, so I drew on their experience and held that close to my heart. 

–Dark Nature was written and directed by Berkley Brady. Did you learn anything in particular from her on this shoot?

I was inspired by Berkley’s connection to her Indigenous roots, her elders, and the land.  She brought in an elder from her community on the first day of shooting to do a blessing on the land and we were given tobacco to make an offering each day if we wanted as a sign of respect and to ask for protection.  I thought that was a really beautiful gesture.  I also really admired Berkley’s fortitude, sense of humour, and optimism during this very difficult shoot!

-There are some scenes in Dark Nature where you have a lot of blood on you. How long did it take for you to get that applied day after day? 

It felt like forever.  Hard to say because you kinda zone out at a certain point when they’re dumping it on.  An hour? ten? Who knows. 

-You played Elaine Grey in X-Men: Dark Phoenix. What sticks out most about working on the film? Was it at all intimidating stepping into such a huge, well-known franchise?

I was extremely intimidated to work on something of this scale.  Seeing all of these big name Hollywood actors sitting together at lunch on the first day was so surreal.  There’s this sense of maybe I don’t belong here.  But the actors I did meet were so kind, and Simon Kinberg made me feel like I was an important piece of the puzzle. Ultimately, I realized that no matter the scale, the actor’s job is still the same.  

-You are starring in the upcoming Return to Silent Hill. I know you probably can’t talk about this too much, but is there anything you would like say about what fans can expect?

Yes! I’m so excited about it.  All I can say is that we are in very good hands with Christophe Gans.  He’s extremely detail oriented and knows the game inside and out. He will stay true to the original creation, crafting a story that fans will recognize, but with a few surprises along the way.  And Jeremy Irvine is so perfect as James Sunderland. I think fans are going to absolutely love him.

-Do you have a favorite horror film? Or one that made an impression on you from a young age?

I’ve gotten more into horror over the last few years.  I absolutely love Jordan Peele. He’s figured out how to create the perfect blend of comedy and horror.  I definitely saw JAWS way too young, so it has been burned into my brain forever. I never got through The Babadook…and I probably never will or I’ll never sleep again.  And I saw Parker Finn’s Smile in theaters a few months ago. It was the first movie I’d seen in a theater in a long time (since Covid) and it scared the living sh*t out of me.  There really is nothing like watching a horror movie on a big screen with an audience.  It’s thrilling.