Madelaine Petsch’s function in The Strangers trilogy goes past her onscreen presence.
Forward of the discharge of The Strangers — Chapter 3, Petsch has revealed the inventive alteration she fought for in The Strangers trilogy, and the way it formed her character. Petsch portrays Maya throughout all three films within the trilogy, the one one who’s fought and survived in opposition to the Strangers’ onslaught of residence invasions. She’ll lead the solid of The Strangers — Chapter 3 as effectively.
In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan, nevertheless, Petsch additionally revealed her essential behind-the-scenes contributions to The Strangers trilogy. She defined how she labored hand-in-hand with producer Courtney Solomon to rewrite elements of the scripts to flesh out Maya’s character. Her involvement is what led to her turning into a producer for the horror trilogy as effectively:
Madelaine Petsch: I feel principally it got here right down to the writing. After I first received the scripts, I may see the bones, however I felt like we may actually dive deeper into this character. I spent a whole lot of time in pre-production — which is finally why I grew to become a producer — as a result of I needed to rewrite it with Courtney. We spent weeks rewriting the script, truthfully rewriting each evening for the subsequent day.
Fortunately, I’m sort of the one particular person in these films, so it actually solely affected me. I hate giving actors new traces the evening earlier than, so it was my fault and solely on me. That was in all probability the most important inventive notice throughout capturing.
Then within the modifying course of, I used to be within the room most days with Courtney, and I discovered so much about separating myself from the particular person I’m seeing on display. At first, it was actually onerous to not be hyper-critical of the whole lot I did. As soon as I received previous that, I used to be capable of actually learn to edit and improve a movie and discover significant moments. Modifying is its personal language solely, so studying that was enormous for me.
She defined how, previous to rewrites, she felt as if Maya did not have traits past the everyday horror protagonist that might make her stand out amongst survivors in different sequence. However, for The Strangers film trilogy, she used her data as a fan of horror to bolster Maya, deepening her character and the realism of her choices in varied situations:
Madelaine Petsch: Truthfully, it was the depth of Maya. It’s very easy to put in writing a horror movie the place characters don’t have a whole lot of actual traits, as a result of individuals assume audiences are simply there for the violence or the chase — the protagonist versus antagonist dynamic. However what horror audiences actually need are dynamic characters. They wish to be on the journey with them.
I’m a horror fan, so I really feel like I’ve a very good sense of what audiences are on the lookout for. It actually got here right down to grounding Maya extra, making her selections really feel actual. I needed her to take advantage of subtle selections attainable — the sort of selections somebody who’s by no means been in a horror film would realistically make. That depth was the most important change.
Maya’s story is about to conclude within the upcoming The Strangers — Chapter 3, which is able to see her persevering with her combat for survival after killing Pin-Up Woman within the earlier film. The movie will even see the return of Gabriel Basso as Gregory and Richard Brake as Sheriff Rotter. As the ultimate movie unfolds, so too will Maya’s final future with the Strangers be determined.
The Strangers — Chapter 2 ends by hinting that Maya may very well be becoming a member of the Strangers in some unspecified time in the future within the closing installment, donning Pin-Up Woman’s masks. This harkens again to Petsch’s feedback about making her stand out as a horror protagonist. Thus far, she’s been distinctive due to her survival in opposition to the group’s assaults, alongside killing considered one of their core members.
However, with the trailer for The Strangers — Chapter 3 hinting at her presumably becoming a member of them, her character turns into a way more dynamic protagonist. Thus far, she’s harbored a hatred for them that is continued to develop, with the unique Pin-Up Woman’s dying solely making her extra of a mark. But that would change relying on the path of the ultimate movie.
With out Petsch’s affect on the script, maybe Maya would not be as dynamic a essential character as she wound up being. However, collaborating with the movie’s writers and producers might have strengthened The Strangers trilogy. Even when the flicks aren’t as beloved as the unique, their distinctive use of the characters, alongside a notable protagonist, make them stand out.
Petsch Is Protecting Her Horror Streak Alive After The Strangers — Chapter 3
ScreenRant: You’re shaping IP now as a producer — is there one other world or property quietly sitting at the back of your thoughts that you just’d like to helm?
Madelaine Petsch: Sure.
ScreenRant: Any hints?
Madelaine Petsch: It’s a ’70s horror movie.
ScreenRant: Okay — one thing we’d in all probability know?
Madelaine Petsch: Yeah, I feel so. Somebody confirmed it to me pretty lately, and I used to be like, “Holy s–t, that is so cool. How has nobody ever touched this?” In order that’s my 2027 mission.
ScreenRant: That’s the 2027 in.
Madelaine Petsch: Yeah — the 2027 in is “saying that film.”
ScreenRant: I used to be fascinated with you as a result of there was an interview the opposite day the place Kristen Stewart stated she needs to return to Twilight and direct it this time.
Madelaine Petsch: I noticed that!
ScreenRant: And I questioned in the event you’d ever wish to get behind the digital camera if Riverdale ever circled again.
Madelaine Petsch: I don’t know. I imply, I positively assume I’ll find yourself directing in some unspecified time in the future — it’s one thing I’m actually fascinated by — however I’m not prepared for it but. I really like Riverdale and I really like Cheryl, so… possibly.
ScreenRant: You had been with Cheryl for seven seasons, and also you’ve been with Maya for years as effectively. How does a personality like that persist with you over time?
Madelaine Petsch: It’s attention-grabbing as a result of my first actual expertise on this business was a personality that sticks with you. Cheryl flipped a swap for me, in order that’s what I’m most acquainted with. It’s truly more durable for me to do one-off movies the place I fall in love with a personality after which by no means see or really feel her once more. Each character has items of me woven into them, after which they change into a part of who I’m too. I study classes about myself and about who I wish to be by being different individuals.
The Strangers — Chapter 3 is now in theaters.
- Launch Date
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February 6, 2026
- Runtime
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91 Minutes
- Director
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Renny Harlin
- Writers
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Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland
- Producers
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Courtney Solomon, Alastair Burlingham, Mark Canton, Charlie Dombek, Christopher Milburn, Gary Raskin
Solid
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Richard Brake
Sheriff Rotter