Daniel Stamm, the filmmaker behind the modern horror hit The Last Exorcism, is back with a new supernatural tale: Lockbox. Wisely, the director brought in the always mesmerizing Carla Gugino to anchor the terror.
Currently playing in theaters, Lockbox follows Ellen (Gugino), a woman who discovers that her cousin Winthrop—played by Lou Taylor Pucci—is being targeted by a malicious, evil entity. The supernatural thriller also stars horror genre favorite Katharine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps), who plays a mysterious woman inserting herself into Ellen and Winthrop’s increasingly fractured lives.
We recently sat down with Carla Gugino and Daniel Stamm to discuss the film’s origins, horror filmmaking, and a hilarious casting near-miss involving an Oscar winner.
Carla Gugino on Her Love for Modern Horror
Having had the opportunity to speak with Gugino before, she remains an incredible talent who brings effortless class to every project. Thanks to her acclaimed collaborations with Mike Flanagan—including The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher—she has cemented herself as a definitive favorite among horror fans everywhere.
When we sat down to discuss Lockbox, Gugino opened up about what keeps drawing her back to the darker side of cinema:
- The Appeal of the Genre: She noted how horror allows actors to explore extreme human emotions within a heightened, supernatural framework.
- On-Set Energy: Known for her warmth and professionalism, Gugino brought both kindness and intense focus to a physically demanding shoot.
Daniel Stamm on Casting and a Hilarious Rami Malek Story
Director Daniel Stamm spoke passionately about assembling his cast, praising the unique dynamic between Carla Gugino and the excellent Lou Taylor Pucci.
However, the highlight of the casting discussion came when Stamm shared a truly hilarious, behind-the-scenes story about almost working with Rami Malek early in the actor’s career before his Bohemian Rhapsody fame. It’s the kind of unpredictable industry mishap that makes you realize just how fragile movie-making can be.
Lockbox (which originally went by the title Winthrop during production) is currently playing in theaters. If you are a fan of psychological tension and classic supernatural scares, this is one to catch on the big screen.
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