Filming a horror movie often brings its own set of challenges, and for actors Barbie Ferreira and Dacre Montgomery, their recent project, *Faces of Death*, was no exception. In a surprising directive from director Daniel Goldhaber, the two lead actors were instructed to avoid talking to each other in between scenes, creating an unusual atmosphere on set.
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When interviewed by *PEOPLE*, Ferreira, 29, and Montgomery, 31, elaborated on this unique approach to their performance. Montgomery revealed that their characters, the protagonist Margot and the antagonist Arthur, were so divergent that Goldhaber wanted to keep them separate for the sake of authenticity. He believed that by limiting their interactions off-camera, they could better enhance their on-screen dynamic. “Not only did we not meet, we didn’t really chat while we were making the film for a variety of different reasons,” Montgomery explained.
Ferreira echoed Montgomery’s sentiments, calling the experience “unnatural.” Typically encouraged to foster relationships with her co-stars, she found the confined communication to be an intriguing challenge. The director’s rule was strictly enforced, with Ferreira recalling that they were “literally shushed” if they were caught engaging in conversation. “With Danny, he was very specific, like, ‘I do not want you and Dacre to chat. No small talk,’” she said, adding that this set of restrictions brought a unique tension to the filming process.
The actors occasionally found themselves wanting to converse, only to remind each other of their on-set constraints. Ferreira recounted instances where they would start to speak but then stop themselves, realising they were breaking the established rule. While initially difficult, she found the experience intriguing. “It’s fun because this is a completely new dynamic that I’ve had with an actor,” she stated, noting that traditionally, strong bonds are built before filming begins.
Montgomery, who is also known for his role in *Stranger Things*, clarified that their lack of dialogue did not stem from a lack of respect for one another. “I was a huge fan of Barbie’s work,” he shared. To him, even without interaction during breaks, there was much to observe and appreciate about Ferreira’s performance. “Everything she does on screen is amazing,” he commented, highlighting that he enjoyed observing her techniques on set.
Their film, *Faces of Death*, aims to reinvent the controversial 1978 film of the same name, notorious for its shock value and faux death scenes. The storyline follows Margot, a content moderator for a social media platform who encounters what appear to be gruesome re-enactments of murders reminiscent of those shown in the original movie. As she navigates an online landscape where reality and fiction blur, she must determine whether the violence she uncovers is staged or real.
In addition to Ferreira and Montgomery, the film includes performances from Charli XCX, Josie Totah, Aaron Holliday, and Jermaine Fowler, further diversifying its cast. The film is set to be released in UK cinemas on April 10, 2024.
As the actors reflect on their unique working conditions, both agree that the approach, while challenging, ultimately contributed to the film’s tense and suspenseful nature. This innovative method of limiting their communication has given both Ferreira and Montgomery new insights into their craft, pushing them to explore different facets of their performances without the usual comfort of camaraderie on set.
*Faces of Death* promises to offer more than just scares; it aims to engage audiences in a narrative that questions the authenticity of the digital age. As modern cinema continues to grapple with the complexities of online life, the film seems poised to resonate with audiences navigating these same questions in real life.