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Bowen, Simon Barrett, Amy Seimetz, Larry Fessenden, and Ti West.
But its another name that stands out, one tied to an earlier era of horror: Barbara Crampton.
Horror fans hadnt seen Crampton in a while when she made her return to the genre with Wingards film.
Theyve had a hard time missing her ever since.
In a genre in which helpless heroines came and went without making an impression, Crampton was always memorable.
YourDead Nightcharacter is not very nice.
When youre playing her, do you play her as someone who knows that shes evil?Yeah!
I think she doesnt care that shes evil.
I think she knows that shes not nice, but she says its her turn.
She relishes the fact that shes in control and nothing can stop her.
So I dont actually think that she thinks that shes not being nice.
Its just who she is.
When you take over, you have to mow people down.
So that was my thinking in attacking the role.
I hadnt worked in a while.
I was taking care of my children.
They were a lot younger then, when we did that movie.
I really wasnt thinking about coming back to acting at all.
I read the script and I thought, Oh, this is a nice movie.
It seems like its fun.
They are all working consistently and at the top of their game now.
I was just lucky that they happened to think of me!
Stuart says, Well, shes retired.
Shes not really acting anymore.
It was really because nobody was hiring me!
So, if theres anything after this, or whatever … think of me.
Id really like to work again.
After the movie came out, people just started calling me.
You work with a lot of people who are starting out.
Youve always kind of shifted gears, though.
Im very practical in that way.
That seemed to really work for me quite well.
You know, likeRe-Animator, likeFrom Beyond, likeCastle Freak.
They would fly somewhere and sleep in and during the day they would have the soap operas on.
Re-Animatorwas controversial at the time of its release.
A lot of people have read things about him so thats no secret.
I mentioned to my agents, Wow, this is it.
This is my breakout piece.
This is going to garner a lot of attention.
Can I get some meetings?
Can we give a shot to up my profile in the industry?
My agents were like, Well, jeez, its kind of a cheesy horror movie, I dunno.
It has helped my careerovertime.
Youve been in the industry for a long time.
We were the supportive girlfriend.
I was the supportive girlfriend inRe-Animator!
We cant continue with the supportive girlfriend and the screaming heroine.
Were not doing that.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
