Film Name: Evil Within
Director: Rodrigo Aragão
Writer: Rodrigo Aragão
Starring: Lorena Corrêa, Caio Macedo, Leonardo Magalhães, Gilda Nomacce
A girl’s quest to find her mother, who vanished during Carnival, brings her to an abandoned building where supernatural forces lurk in the shadows.
In a new exclusive interview on Blazing Minds, I got a chance to ask Writer-Director Rodrigo Aragão a few questions about his film ‘Evil Within‘, which will have its UK Premiere at Horror-on-Sea on Saturday 17th January at 22:30.
Q. Your film Evil Within has been selected to play at the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. an you tell us what we can expect?
A. You can expect a very atmospheric horror film rooted in real places and real fears. It’s a story born from those almost-empty beachfront buildings in my city, Guarapari, in Brazil during the off-season. We used only practical effects and classic filmmaking tricks, giving the film a raw, tactile energy that feels both nostalgic and unsettling.
Q. What were your inspirations when writing the script?
A. The story came from the time I lived in Praia do Morro. Those half-empty towers always felt like something strange could be hiding inside. I combined that atmosphere with my love for Latin American fantastic cinema and the classic horror films from the 70’s and 80’s.
Q. Did you have any of the cast in mind for the characters when writing the script?
A. Yes. From the beginning, I imagined Gilda Nomacce in the film. Her intensity, humour, and emotional depth brought the character to life in a way that exceeded anything I had written. I also thought of Caio Macedo. We had worked together on The Cemetery of Lost Souls (2020), and I knew I wanted to work with him again.
Q. What were some of your influences for the look and style of the film?
A. I’m deeply influenced by old-school filmmaking: makeup effects, puppets, miniatures, and practical tricks. The visual style comes from the cinema I grew up loving in the 70’s and ’80’s. We aimed for a tactile, handmade look that modern CGI can’t replicate. This movie is almost like imagining Dario Argento spending his vacation in Brazil.
Q. Did you make any changes from the original script during filming?
A. Yes, a few. As I always say, the script is alive. Working with a small crew and limited resources forces you to adapt, and sometimes those limitations create better solutions. But the core story stayed very close to the original idea.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. Watching Gilda Nomacce dive into her character was unforgettable. And teaching so many new crew members, since this was a school film, created a very passionate and energetic environment on set.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. The biggest challenge was shooting on the beach. There were always cheerful vacationers with a few beers in them who wanted to appear in the film. Keeping those unexpected visitors out of the shots was harder than anything else.
Q. What makes Evil Within stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. It’s a film built entirely with practical effects and a very Latin American atmosphere. It mixes local reality with fantasy, creating a tone you won’t find anywhere else. It’s handmade horror with heart, humour, and a strong sense of place.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. I hope they feel the strength of Latin American fantastic cinema and understand that our stories can travel far and still connect with audiences everywhere. And if they leave with a mix of fear, curiosity, and a smile, that’s perfect.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. Yes. I’m developing a new horror project called The Night of the Dry Corpse (a literal translation of the Portuguese title A Noite do Corpo Seco) while also working on Folclórica, an ambitious children’s film using puppets and characters from Brazilian folklore. My goal is to keep expanding both sides of my work: horror and fantasy, always rooted in regional culture and made with practical special effects.
Q. If someone was looking to write and direct their own film what advice would you give them?
A. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. They never arrive. Embrace limitations, surround yourself with people who love what they’re doing, and keep experimenting. Passion and persistence matter as much as budget.
Evil Within will have its UK Premiere at Horror-on-Sea on Saturday 17th January at 22.30hrs.
You can follow Fabulas Filmes and Writer-Director Rodrigo Aragao on Instagram
You can find out more about Horror-on-Sea and purchase tickets for Evil Within here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
