Check out Chris Miller’s interview with John Wells…
INTERVIEW
In sickness and in health? Whenever we hear this saying, it is usually applied to something pleasant, like two people getting married. Whenever we hear it in a horror movie, it’s usually not a good sign. The latter is the case in David Andrew James’ latest horror title, Bag of Lies, which was just released by Epic Pictures’ horror label Dread. “Desperate to save his dying wife, Matt turns to The Bag, an ancient relic with dark magic. The cure demands a chilling ritual and strict rules. As his wife heals, Matt’s sanity unravels, facing terrifying consequences.”
Leading the cast of Bag of Lies is actor John Wells, who plays Harold in the film. John is no stranger to the horror world, he has starred in films such as The Whittler, They See You, Last American Horror Show and Tales from Parts Unknown. It’s a genre he loves to be part of saying, “From an actor’s viewpoint, the horror genre often brings exciting challenges of digging deep into the psyche and playing with trauma, but there’s also something incredibly therapeutic about finding the fun in the bleakest facets of the world and making light of the dark.” We spoke with John in more detail about Bag of Lies and some of his other roles below.
Chris Miller: How did you first get into acting?
John Wells: Movies and comic books were my best friends growing up. I was a very shy, introverted kid. While neighborhood kids were outside playing baseball or whatever, I was self-immersed in fantasy and science fiction. That was my place, my escape, my sanctuary. For as long as I can remember I’ve been deeply engrossed in movies, storytelling, and make believe. So in a way, I was acting as a child, like many kids do, but I just kinda never stopped.
So, movies, filmmaking, character creation, story exploration…all these things in one form or another have been passionate interests, hobbies, and areas of study my entire life, but I never actively pursued it professionally until I was an adult. Totally by chance, I fell in socially with some regional independent filmmakers. Until then, growing up in a small town in Kentucky, chasing a career making movies felt as lofty as aiming to be an astronaut. But they showed interest in me, invited me to set, gave me a screen test, and cast me on the spot for a feature. Just like that, it was like the lights finally came on in the world. I’d found my path, and I was consumed by it.
CM: How did you first hear about the role of Harold in Bag of Lies?
JW: I didn’t know a thing about it until I randomly received an email from David after Brandi Botkin, who plays Claire, had recommended me for the part. Brandi and I had worked together on a short piece previously, she was a joy, and apparently put in some good words for me.
Eventually David and I got on the phone together and he pitched the whole thing. I instantly loved the concept, and he seemed really enthusiastic and easy to get along with. It just clicked and felt right from the get-go.
CM: What was your favorite moment from the Bag of Lies set?
JW: That’s difficult to say without spoilers, so I’ll give a safe bit honest answer. Maybe not a particular moment, but I felt fortunate just being there with a team of talented people who were all giving what they could to make this movie work. It was a really warm and wonderful chemistry with the cast and crew, and there wasn’t a moment I didn’t feel good about being a part of it. It was a warm, welcoming, creative environment to dwell in.
CM: Can you talk about working with Bag of Lies director David Andrew James. What do you think his strengths are as a director?
JW: I genuinely loved working with David. He’s easy going, collaborative, and carries an optimistic energy about him. He has his vision, knows what he wants and how to get it, but he’s not so rigidly married to his own plan that he won’t listen to or entertain other ideas. I loved that he came to me with tons of notes, backstory, and homework on the role in preparation, yet still I was always allowed some freedom to play, explore, and do my thing with the character. It was evident he’d really poured his time, heart, and energy into this story and the characters, but he respected his cast enough to let us do what we do. He comes from a background in acting, so he understands very well how to effectively communicate his ideas to his cast. Can’t praise the guy enough, really. Just a gem.
CM: In your opinion, what makes Bag of Lies stand out from other horror films?
JW: In a word, humanity. It’s a very human story, and deeply relatable. It’s about love, desperation, and the fear of losing the irreplaceable. Beneath all the creepy supernatural events of the story beats a human heart. That’s what makes it so effective.
CM: You have starred in a lot of horror films. What is it about the genre that keeps drawing you back to it?
JW: I’m just a sucker for a good horror. It’s just so much fun. It’s fun to watch, but even more so to play in. From an actor’s viewpoint, the horror genre often brings exciting challenges of digging deep into the psyche and playing with trauma, but there’s also something incredibly therapeutic about finding the fun in the bleakest facets of the world and making light of the dark. It can be tremendously cathartic.
CM: You played founding father, Patrick Henry, in FOX’s historical series, Legends & Lies: The Patriots. What can you tell us about that role? What did you do to prepare?
JW: That was a tough one. Playing someone so well-known and historically important comes with a lot of responsibility and also expectation. I had conversations with the Director regarding what he wanted to see in Patrick Henry, and I did my own homework on the man himself. He was a complex and passionate individual, so there were layers that needed to be present, even if only in their subtlety. Obviously, the heaviest part of that role was the iconic “liberty or death speech” bit that was most exciting for me as well. They only used a fraction of it for the show, understandably as it’s quite verbose, and they had me memorized and deliver the speech in its original entirety. That scene was definitely the lengthiest monologue I’ve ever had to tackle, but it was a fantastic thrill. It was an incredible opportunity, and I still feel honored to have stood there and speak those words while feeling the weight of what they meant.
CM: What has been your favorite horror movie you have seen in the past year?
JW: I don’t know if it counts as horror, but I loved Godzilla Minus One. A lot. That may be considered by some to fall more into line of action and drama, so if we want to stick with more traditional type “horror,” we can say Last Voyage of the Demeter. That movie was practically tailored to my personal genre preferences. Period piece, Dracula lore, claustrophobic nautical setting…How could I not love that flick.
CM: Is there a type of role you would like to play that you haven’t yet?
JW: So many. I’m always eager and excited to do something radically different from what I had just done previously. It might sound weird, but I’d love to be in a musical. I come from musical background, so that’s a major bucket list item. Unfortunately, they’re rare and difficult on a smaller budget, independent level. But that’s a dream. Maybe even a dark horror/comedy with big flashy, dramatic musical numbers. Someone out there, let’s make it happen.
Bag Of Lies is available now.
Chris Miller
Leave a Reply