The Front Room lands in theaters this weekend, and this movie is likely not what folks are expecting. What presents as a pretty straightforward thriller/domestic horror is, in reality, hag horror and camp, grappling with gross topics, balancing it all out with surprising gross-out humor.
The feature marks Brandy’s return to the horror genre and the feature directorial debut of the Eggers brothers, Max and Sam. Based on a short story by Susan Hill, it centers on a mother-in-law from hell. The mother-in-law in question is played by Kathryn Hunter, who goes head-to-head with Brandy as the tortured daughter-in-law. The Front Room cast, Brandy and Kathryn Hunter, joined us to discuss getting gross and going out of comfort zones to pull off something new.
Brandy, we love you in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. I was very excited when I heard that you were returning to the world of horror, but I had no idea the ride we were in for. I don't think people are expecting this level of comedy and camp. You've done so much in the span of your career, but this is unlike anything you've done so far. Did you have any hesitation when saying yes to this?
BN: Of course I did, because the role is so challenging. It's the range and the depth and so many different emotions. I didn't know if I had the capability to pull it off, but I took the chance. Sam and Max Eggers believed in me, and I worked with a great cast. Working with Kathryn Hunter kept me on my toes, looking to her to bring out the best in me. I really had a great time with that.
The best comedic duos of all time usually have a slapstick partner, and then we have the straight man. Brandy, you definitely get your comedic jabs in there, but you do it very deadpan. Meanwhile, Kathryn, you're just unleashed and unhinged as Solange. You go off the damn rails. The chemistry between the two of you is fantastic. You're balancing some very heavy, intense, and gross (on multiple levels) things, but the comedy balances it back out.
Were there any scenes that were hard to film or moments you had a hard time getting through?
KH : I think that dinner scene.
BN: Yeah. The dinner scene where we speak about racism. That was difficult.
That's another moment where it's very dark and gross for racist reasons. And then you have this levity that's also gross, but you're bringing it in a way where we can kind of talk about this and say, “This is gross.”
KH: Yes, yes. Exactly.
BN: I'm glad you got that.
Horror and comedy go together very well, but also, in a therapeutic way, we kind of laugh about things that are hard to talk about. That's kind of a way for us to discuss it, right?
KH: Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's very wonderfully put. That's great that you got that.
Did you have fun doing this, Kathryn?
KH: Indeed. It was such a wonderful relationship. My husband was very sick at the time, so that was tough. But Brandy, Andrew, Max, Sam, and the producers were so supportive. I would FaceTime with my husband and ask, “Should I come home?” “No, I want you to finish the movie.”
BN: Supportive.
KH: Yeah. So he's in there somewhere, isn't he?
BN: Yeah.
KH: Especially in the comedy. He was a wonderful comedian.
Oh, I love that so much. I'm going to be insufferable for the next three months or so doing Solange impressions. So Kathryn must take full responsibility. Would you like to see The Front Room Halloween costumes this year?
BN: Yes, that would be awesome. It's so funny. Last night at the premiere, I saw a woman walking around as Solange. She had the cane, she had the…
KH: The veil!
BN: The veil. She had the whole look, and I'm like, “Oh my God.” It looked amazing.
KH: And the bald head, maybe bald heads and missing teeth.
BN: Missing teeth, yes.
The Front Room is now in theaters. Check out our full video interview below, and read more in our extended conversation with The Front Room writer/directors Sam and Max Eggers.
