Melissa Barrera on feeling like Your Monster was a movie perfectly created for her
Melissa Barrera spoke with us about her latest movie, Your Monster. The film blends a mix of horror and genre tones alongside rom com elements, fantastical storytelling and even musical theater. It is exactly this blend which led Melissa to feel like this project was perfectly created for her interests.
The movie follows her character Laura falling in love with the literal monster underneath her bed who has lived in her home and watched her life since childhood even stealing and collecting all her missing socks over the years. Tommy Dewey plays Monster and the two found a natural rythm and chemistry together instantly.
Melissa’s character is pursuing a career in musical theater and lands a role in the ensemble alongside her ex-boyfriend leading to scenes which required her to sing, dance and cry. Director Caroline Lindy encouraged her to make bigger emotional choices in her performance not being afraid to cry big and loud on screen which created both an emotional pull, as well as comedic elements.
One of the key elements in helping to understand her character was trying to understand why she would be close to her best friend who wasn’t very supportive within this relationship, and once she connected that Laura is someone who fiercly throws herself into the world of people she cares about everything clicked into place. She also found an incredible relatability in a character who is trying to get over a breakup but struggling to know how to move forward when the emotions don’t disappear overnight.
She enjoyed the creative challenges of the project immensely and the experience of working with a filmmaker with whom she could place such a level of trust in.
Watch the full conversation below:
Q&A on the film Your Monster with actor Melissa Barrera. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.
After her life falls apart, soft-spoken actress Laura Franco finds her voice again when she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming Monster living in her closet. A romantic-comedy-horror film about falling in love with your inner rage.
