The following contains minor spoilers for Devil's Workshop, premiering in theaters Sept. 30.
In Devil's Workshop, desperate actor Clayton -- portrayed by 13 Reasons Why's Timothy Granaderos -- couldn't be any hungrier for the starring role as a demonologist in an upcoming film. A smug rival, Donald (Emile Hirsch) seems to be vying for the same part and is more than happy to rub his face in it. To get an edge and prepare, Clayton posts an ad to interview someone in the profession and understand their process. Enter Eliza (Radha Mitchell), an expert in devil lore who invites Clayton to her secluded home for the weekend. Soon enough, the enigmatic Eliza forces Clayton to confront his own personal demons and issues. She puts him through the wringer in a series of rituals involving blood, sacrifice, and seduction -- which may cost him his very soul.
Granaderos recently spoke with CBR about the devil subgenre of horror, how he connected with his character, the film's intense sequences, and superheroes.
CBR: The Exorcist, Prince of Darkness, The Devil's Rain, and The Last Exorcism all come to mind when talking about Satan or Devil worship movies. What about the subject matter really gets under people's skin?
Timothy Granaderos: It's something that people can't fully understand, and they are not sure whether it's real or not. The idea of it being real scares them. From my own perspective... Exorcist, Stigmata... Those movies are terrifying, in my opinion. There's this darkness that you can't fully explain. It's around you, and you might not even know it. That's terrifying.
Introduce us to Clayton and the rabbit hole that he falls down.
When we meet Clayton, he's a 30-something-year-old struggling actor. He has his own emotional baggage that he's not really willing to unpack at the time. He gets a callback for a role to play a demonologist. Putting up a post and seeking out a real-life demonologist in hopes of exploring that role and knowing it a little better, [he] gets linked up with this Eliza Atwood, who happens to be a demonologist. She invites him out to her house. He stays with her, and everything unravels.
Clayton is so hungry for that part. As an actor, was that something you could relate to?
Yes. It's always important not to become too invested in a role or too desperate. Inevitably, if you fall in love with a role, it's really hard when it doesn't go your way. I can relate to Clayton wanting this role desperately, for sure, but don't tell the casting agent I said anything.
He goes to the extreme to do his due diligence. What is the [wildest] thing you have ever done for a part?
Lots of stuff, honestly. Most of it starts right here, in front of my computer -- lots of super-twisted Google searches that the FBI [is] probably aware of. So just allowing my mind to go to these very dark, uncomfortable places is probably the [wildest].
A lot of the narrative transpires in this gothic mansion. How much was filmed on location, and what kind of vibe did that establish?
We shot in Mississippi, in a house, in an area greatly affected by Katrina. The house survived. It was already spooky before they set designed it, and then Craig Rose, our set designer, went in and turned it into the next level. In a lot of ways, it needed to be a character in itself, and they did a good job of making it that, for sure. I don't think anything was done to the outside of the house. They maybe added a couple of chairs.
Eliza comes off as unconventional, a little kooky, but killing a goat should have been a massive red flag. What keeps Clayton there?
That is a very good question that we asked ourselves a lot. There's this charming allure being challenged emotionally. There's also this maternal relationship, in some weird way. Clayton has got trauma from his mother and how close they were. Eliza, in some way, represents that figure. Although it does get really weird, I don't think he can leave. I think he is mentally and physically there. He's invested.
One sequence features you strung up and doused with goat's blood. How did you prep for that?
I went to the goat's farm. No. I am actually vegan, so any stuff with animals is always a little touch-and-go with me, but they were more than accommodating. The handlers took care of them on the day. I love goats. No joke. I think they are my spirit animal. More than anything, I was freezing. I was very cold. I remember them bringing heaters, and I was shivering. They thought I was being in character, but I was freezing.
How long does it take to get that fake, sticky, ooey-gooey blood taste out of your mouth and just getting cleaned up after the day?
I feel like every project I have been in, I have either been in blood or lots of sweat or mud. I am used to the process of getting it all out of your hair and getting to the point that you are good enough to get in your car and drive home. It's always a little sticky.
Your character has some really vulnerable scenes. What was it like getting into that headspace?
You just have to submit your reservations and insecurities and just commit and go for it. There is obviously a bit of discomfort doing that, but I think once you reach the point where you aren't concerned about all the exterior things, you can commit to being in that moment. That's acting in general, so maybe acting has prepared me for that. You just have to remove the clothes from it.
Do you suffer from nightmares when filming those moments?
I have an actor's nightmare. It probably doesn't sound scary to you, but it's terrifying to me, which is that I get to set, and I just don't know any of my lines... any of them, as hard as I try. That is a true nightmare for me. In terms of the other stuff, occasionally, but not necessarily tied to the work. It's just the normal scary dreams.
You guest-starred on the TV series Runaways. These days, the big ticket in Hollywood seems to be superhero projects. Have you ever auditioned for one of those roles?
I am definitely a fan. I had auditioned to play Gregg Sulkin's role on Runaways. I would love to play a superhero. I think it would be fun... The complexity of taking on a role like that and committing to playing a superhero would be fine by me. Bring it.
Are there any characters in the DCEU or MCU that speak to you?
I don't know. I will let the fans decide. I am at the whim of my looks. I will let them decide. My buddy Ross Butler is in Shazam right now, so it would be fun to do something in that world.
I guess we could say one thing that does not scare you is spandex and tight costumes...
That's too much clothing for me. Maybe somebody without a shirt on.
Devil's Workshop comes to theaters in limited release on Sept. 30.