Following its world premiere at the Romford Film Festival, in a new exclusive interview on Blazing Minds, I got a chance to ask actress Megan Tremethick a few questions about her new film ‘In The Grip Of Terror’ from ‘Amicus Productions‘
Q. Your latest film ‘In The Grip Of Terror’ recently had its world premiere at the Romford Film Festival. Can you tell us a little bit about the film and what people can expect?
A. In The Grip Of Terror is a brand new Amicus Productions horror anthology, made by director Lawrie Brewster and producer Sarah Daly, in collaboration with Sergei and Dmitri Subotsky; the sons of Milton Subotsky, who co-founded the original Amicus Productions. The film has been made with a huge amount of love and respect for the original Amicus films. Our team approached the project with the hope of capturing the spirit of Amicus as if their filmmaking had continued seamlessly from the 1970’s – from the cinematography and art direction to the performance style. It’s been a real privilege to work with Lawrie and Sarah, both of whom brought incredible attention to detail and a passion for classic horror that really helped bring this world to life. What makes the project even more meaningful is that Sergei and Dmitri Subotsky have worked closely with us throughout and have endorsed the film. That support means the world to us. It’s been an incredible experience to help continue the Amicus legacy in some small way.
Q. In The Grip Of Terror is the first title to be released under the newly revived Amicus Productions. Are you a fan of the original Amicus films and how does this film compare to the original catalogue of films?
A. I’ve grown up with Amicus. When I was young, my dad introduced me to Vault of Horror (1973), and I was instantly hooked. From there, I went on to watch many more, including Tales from the Crypt (1972), Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965), Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) and plenty of others. Those films left such an impression on me. I loved their theatrical performance style and gripping writing. Amicus was a huge part of what shaped my love of horror, so to now be involved in the studio’s revival feels incredibly special.
In The Grip of Terror is very much a love letter to the original Amicus Productions films. It carries forward that classic anthology structure, where each story offers its own distinct flavour but together they create something richly atmospheric. Director and writer Lawrie Brewster really wanted to honour the theatricality and slightly heightened performances that made the originals so memorable, and I feel he has done a great job of achieving that.
Q. You play Nurse Charlotte Gibbon in the film; can you tell us about the character?
A. Charlotte begins the story filled with curiosity and a genuine desire to do good, but she quickly finds herself pulled deeper into something much darker. I loved exploring that shift from tentative compassion to unsettling complicity. On the surface, she’s warm, professional and eager to help, but beneath that is someone quietly pushing boundaries, unable to resist the pull of forbidden knowledge. There is also a sense of urgency within her, driven by a secret she is hiding. That knowledge quietly shapes her choices. I found her fascinating because she walks a fine line between being the innocent outsider and something far more morally ambiguous.
Q. What preparation did you do for the role and are there any elements of the character which reflect some of your own personality?
A. I spent a lot of time rewatching their classics, including some of my old favourites such as Vault of Horror, Tales From The Crypt, Asylum (1972), The Skull (The Skull) and many more. I really focused on absorbing their tone and the performance styles of that era, especially the physicality and line delivery of the actresses in those films. I also studied Received Pronunciation as it was spoken by actresses in the 1960’s and 70’s because I wanted my performance to subtly echo that time period. I found particular inspiration in Charlotte Rampling and Britt Ekland, who were both utterly captivating in their Asylum segment, Lucy Comes to Stay.
As for elements of Nurse Charlotte Gibbon that reflect my own personality, she has a nervousness when dealing with figures of authority, which I find very relatable, to be honest! In the beginning, she has a genuinely caring nature, but it is also mixed with a bit of a need to people-please… also very relatable, haha. I think that combination of compassion, curiosity and quiet anxiety really connected with me on a personal level.
Q. What were some of your favourite moments during filming?
A. One of my favourite moments has to be being part of the Amicus wraparound. It honestly felt quite surreal, as the wraparound is such a big part of what Amicus is known for. It was a real honour to work alongside the incredible Laurence R. Harvey, the brilliant Dorian Ashbourne, and of course, Lawrie Brewster.
Another huge highlight for me was sharing scenes with the legendary actress Jane Merrow, who played Matron Margaret. She is such a lovely person, and I feel like I learned so much from working with her. One particular scene that really stayed with me was when my character, Nurse Charlotte, first arrives at the hospital and meets Matron Margaret. I was completely awe-struck by Jane’s effortless poise and presence. She carried such quiet authority, yet her demeanour was full of subtle intimidation. There is so much to be learned from her!
The same can be said of the immensely talented and generous actor Jonathan Hansler, with whom I shared the majority of my scenes in my segment, The One-Way Ward. He was also an absolute joy to work with!
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. Luckily, the production ran remarkably smoothly. I would say the biggest challenge was juggling multiple films at once. We were filming In the Grip of Terror alongside other projects, including my directorial debut ‘Spoiling You‘, and sometimes we had to switch between projects on different days during the filming block to accommodate cast and crew availability. It definitely kept us all on our toes! The whole team made sure to prep as thoroughly as possible for each project individually, so by the time we came to shoot them, we all felt like we knew each one inside out. My preparation really helped me stay focused and switch gears quickly whenever I needed to.
Q. What do you hope people will take away from the film?
A. I personally hope that when audiences watch In The Grip of Terror, they will feel the love and respect we all have for the original Amicus films. In The Grip of Terror is our tribute to that legacy – not simply a nostalgic nod to the past, but an attempt to carry the spirit of Amicus forward, while holding onto what made it so special: bold storytelling, eerie atmosphere, and a theatrical, character-driven style of horror. We are fans first and foremost, and this project was made with real affection by people who grew up inspired by those classic anthologies.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. We recently wrapped on a mysterious new project set in the 1950s. It has a real theatrical feel to it, almost like a play captured on film, and I had the chance to play one of the most emotionally raw and vulnerable characters I have played so far. I absolutely loved working on it, and I am really looking forward to when I can share more about it.
And as I type this, I am actually on set in full costume as the seductive sorceress Nemain for the sequel to our 1980s-inspired sword and sorcery romp The Slave and the Sorcerer (2024). The new film is called The Slave and the General, and somehow it is even more violent, sexy and outrageous than the first, if you can believe that is possible, haha!
Q. For anyone who may be looking to get into filmmaking, what advice would you give them?
A. For anyone starting out in filmmaking, I would say focus on building real creative partnerships. Independent film relies so much on collaboration, so if you find people whose vision and energy align with yours, hold onto them. A strong, supportive team can push your work further than you could on your own.
It is also really helpful to do your homework before joining a project. Take time to explore the filmmaker’s previous work. Not only does it show respect, but it gives you a sense of their aesthetic and approach, and whether it is something that excites you.
And do not be afraid to create your own opportunities. Even if it is small-scale, just start. The indie world rewards those who are proactive and resourceful. It is not about having the fanciest equipment, it is about having an interesting story to tell.
You can find out more and follow on Megan Tremethick Instagram and follow the British Horror Studios on Facebook
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!
