November 28, 2023

By Katrina Hung

Film Lounge Talk

Lounge Talk: Nell Verlaque

Oh, Thanksgiving time. When the house is filled with the delicious smell of turkey as the family gathers for a meal, all while… a serial killer is on the loose? In a new take on cozy holiday movie nights, Thanksgiving switches things up by adding some thrills and chills to the dinner table. Grab some popcorn as the era of 90s slasher films is back and Nell Verlaque can now say she’s perfected the classic Hollywood scream. With director Eli Roth as her trusted mentor, Nell joins the cast of Thanksgiving as Jessica Wright, amidst navigating her way as an up-and-coming actor. So bring on the holiday spirit, as Thanksgiving is the movie you want to add to your watch list all season long.

From studying at both an arts based high school and college, how would you say your background in studying performing arts prepared you for a career as an actor?

Going to an arts school exposes you to so much that you wouldn’t necessarily be exposed to elsewhere, so I am grateful to have experienced that in high school and my one year of college. I also think that going to school in New York has shaped me into the performer I am. It is one of the most creative places and getting to go to school and grow up in that environment has been a huge privilege.

Not only are you acting, but you also have a career in singing. Has there ever been a moment where you felt overwhelmed juggling the two on top of your personal life?

I have no personal life, so that has never been an issue haha. Anyone who knows me knows how career focused/obsessed I am, and I dream of being so busy that I am overwhelmed by it all. To be honest, most of my journey thus far has been waiting and learning how not to go crazy while doing so. So, I started making music during that waiting time to find some way to create on my own terms. It’s been great to feel like I can do both and never feel like either are work- that’s a gift.

Compared to your past projects, Thanksgiving — being a horror/slasher film — is a major shift in genre. What was it like preparing for your role as Jessica?

I think horror gives actors so much to do because you are getting to live in extreme circumstances, so I knew I wanted to dive deep into the character beforehand so that I had all the prep to go there. I got to speak with my lovely director, Eli, about who Jessica was up until this point and her role in the story, as well as her relationships with the other characters. I always make a playlist for characters, so I’d listen to that on set and stay in that headspace in between takes.

“I came into this job not having worked much and praying for something to click, and Eli took a chance on me. Then, getting to finally be on set doing what I love, and meeting such great people along the way, it was incredibly special and an experience I will always be grateful for.”

Because Thanksgiving revolves around a serial killer, what was it like to be on the set of a horror film, especially when filming such gory and tension filled scenes?

Being on a horror set was surprisingly funny. Yes, most days I had to be crying in a corner getting ready for my scenes, but anytime in between takes was absolute craziness. If I wasn’t watching The Housewives, I’d be making videos with Addison or watching behind the monitor with Eli as he screams “MORE BLOOD” with the biggest smile on his face. So, I’d recommend it to everyone.

From the moment you first learned you would be starring in Thanksgiving to filming your last scene as Jessica on set, how do you think you have grown as an actor?

As cheesy as it may sound, I think I became a better version of myself and grew immensely through this whole process. I came into this job not having worked much and praying for something to click, and Eli took a chance on me. Then, getting to finally be on set doing what I love, and meeting such great people along the way, it was incredibly special and an experience I will always be grateful for.

Since Thanksgiving is a tribute to the classic 90s slasher films, if you could pick an iconic character from any 90s slasher film to be for one day (with absolutely no consequences), who would you choose?

I have to go with Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott (iconic).

Without giving away any spoilers, describe which scene in Thanksgiving was your favorite to film in three words.

Dinner, gagging, turkeytime (I just cheated and made that one word…)

“I also hope to direct one day myself and start my own company to bring lesser known stories into the world. I’d love to be in New York with my dog, Edie, having a great meal with my girlfriends and still calling my mom to tell her all about my problems.”

Who is the person(s) you got the closest to on the set of Thanksgiving?

Obviously, Patrick and I are best friends so that’s a given. But, I would say I got closest to Mr. Eli Roth on set. We became great friends and he has been a great mentor throughout this process. We are also both film nerds and he gives me movie rec’s all the time so I am very #thankful.

What is the dish you look forward to eating the most on Thanksgiving?

I’m a lifelong vegetarian so I don’t do turkey but I love some mashed potatoes and, of course, a big slice of pie from the Little Pie Company in NYC — always.

When was the moment you knew that acting was the path for you?

It’s hard to pick a specific moment but, when I was younger, I’d dress up as different characters to spy on my older sister. I even had a compact mirror that was a recording device. I think I knew very early on how much I loved being different people, and how extra I was- that could only be channeled into acting.

What has been your favorite red carpet/premiere look so far?

I haven’t had many but it has to be the Thanksgiving premiere look. I bought this vintage Vivienne Westwood dress before I knew there would even be a premiere (we hadn’t been able to do any press due to the SAG strike.) It was a black dress with a big image of red lips on it and it somehow perfectly matched the carpet. It was a great moment getting to celebrate the movie and dressing myself for it.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

Edie Bouvier Beale of Grey Gardens, otherwise known as ‘Little Edie’.

What is a fun fact that few people know about you?

This is definitely not fun and actually incredibly weird but it’s all I got. I used to have two pet rats growing up. My mom wouldn’t let me get a Chinchilla because they were too expensive, so the pet store owner suggested a cheaper option- rats. Don’t ask me why she said yes, but I carried them in a stroller everyday around New York… It’s my most embarrassing fun fact.

In your opinion, what is the best classic horror film trope/cliche out there?

I love the “Final Girl” trope and am honored that people are now including me in that.

As you are only 23, where do you hope to see yourself in five years?

I hope I will be working on projects that I love and getting to work with great directors, actors, and artists. I also hope to direct one day myself and start my own company to bring lesser known stories into the world. I’d love to be in New York with my dog, Edie, having a great meal with my girlfriends and still calling my mom to tell her all about my problems. We’ll see how it goes…

Thanksgiving now playing in theaters. Watch the trailer below:

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