Hitting theaters this Friday is the new horror film The Ruins, based on the novel by Scott B. Smith. Actors Shawn Ashmore (X-Men: The Last Stand) and Laura Ramsey (The Convenant) recently talked with The Spectrum about their new flick and its differences from the recent shock/gore genre.
Ashmore plays Eric, the immature fun-loving Greek guy with teaching ambitions. Assuming this role, he decided to have some fun with this relatively new genre, tacking up a career invested in science fiction.
"One thing I really did like about The Ruins was playing a slightly older character. I had a beard, grew my hair out, and was able to really transform into this different role," Ashmore said. "The Ruins is much more subtle and the effects that they used are hugely impressive and exciting, but they're definitely more natural," Ashmore continued, comparing the movie magic of the new horror movie with the X-Men trilogy, which relied heavily on spectacle.
When asked what makes a good horror film, Ramsey credited it to emotional attachment with the characters being victimized.
"I think being invested in the people in the situation [is important], you have to really care," Ramsey said.
Author, screenwriter and producer Smith (A Simple Plan) adapted his book for the screen. He strived to create a realistic situation involving good friends who find themselves in a deadly, inescapable trap, avoiding both the classic, and brutally recent, "horror movie clich?(c)s."
Ashmore brushed off the hesitations of taking on a horror film, ignoring the assumptions that go along with it and focusing on the film's differences.
"I think really those conventions and those clich?(c)s sort of are created in the editing room after the fact, because it really is about pacing and timing and all that kind of stuff," Ashmore said. "The interesting thing about the movie is that although it's a horror movie and a thriller and has all those elements, a lot of the film takes place in broad daylight, which is kind of an interesting idea and concept for a horror film."
The film offers a young all-star cast that includes Jena Malone (Into the Wild), and Jonathan Tucker (Pulse) alongside Ramsey and Ashmore.
The Ruins, taking place in Australia, looks far more promising than recent horror flops such as Grindhouse and Captivity. Director Carter Smith, a young filmmaker who took in the Short Filmmaking Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival for Bug Crush, brought the film to life.
The question "Were you ever haunted by anything you saw or did in the film?" caused both cast members to pause for a second.
Ashmore stated, "What affected me the most was the violence and gore in the film. I don't want to give too much away, but you're with a friend and think you're going on an adventure. But just the opposite happens."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
