#SHOWBIZ: Rising star Trisha Ooi confronts her demons in 'Susuk Bidadari'

New Straits Times

08-05-2025

EMERGING actress Trisha Ooi is proving that she's not afraid to step into the shadows of the horror realm, with her latest role in the highly anticipated film, 'Susuk Bidadari'.
And by all accounts, the talented 25-year-old, whose full name is Reyshqa Aqiera Mohd Nasron Ooi, could not be more thrilled about the opportunity.
For an actress still carving her niche in the Malaysian film industry, the ,chance to sink her teeth into a completely new character is pure gold.
In 'Susuk Bidadari', Primeworks Studios' chilling new offering with visionary director Faizal Nadxaman at the helm, Trisha undergoes an eerie transformation into a haunting spirit, Seri.
"In this film, I play a ghost! It's always fun to challenge myself to try something new.
"I even took on my first antagonist role recently, which was a fantastic experience," the effervescent actress reveals with excitement in her voice during a chat session.
Trisha's approach to her craft is grounded in a refreshing sense of self-assuredness.
Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: give every role her all and steer clear of the often-tempting trap of comparisons, especially when it comes to the work of seasoned veterans.
"I've always tried to give my best, pouring every ounce of my energy and focus into each character I portray.
"It genuinely never crosses my mind to compare myself to anyone," she insists with a thoughtful nod.
"Like with this role as Seri, why would I even consider comparing my portrayal to the legendary Maya Karin in 'Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam'?
"She's an icon, a true legend in Malaysian cinema. My focus isn't on measuring up to her past glories. It's solely on whether the audience connects with my interpretation and finds my performance believable."
To truly embody the spectral essence of Seri, Trisha has diligently done her homework by immersing herself in the world of horror cinema.
She specifically sought inspiration from critically acclaimed films such as Jordan Peele's psychological thriller, 'Get Out'.
"It was purely for reference, to understand the nuances of the genre and the kind of atmosphere we were aiming for, not to create a carbon copy.
"The charismatic Rosyam gave me some incredibly insightful advice about that.
"He pointed out that while watching other movies can be beneficial, ultimately you have to discover your own unique way into the character," she says, referring to Datuk Rosyam Nor who plays the male lead in 'Susuk Bidadari'.
Trisha adds: "The most authentic and compelling performances often come from trusting your own instincts and connecting with the role on a personal level."
She also views every interaction and observation as a valuable learning opportunity.
Beyond simply watching, Trisha actively collaborates with the entire production team, recognising that a cohesive vision is crucial for a successful film.
"Before we even started shooting a single scene, I made it a point to have in-depth conversations with the director, producer, the incredibly talented make-up artists responsible for Seri's haunting look, and even the wardrobe department, to gather everyone's perspectives on how Seri should be portrayed."
She admits that despite embracing her role in a horror film, she harbours a rather common fear.
"Actually, I'm 'penakut' — easily scared! But I absolutely refuse to let that be an excuse to shy away from a challenging and exciting job like this.
"Besides, when you're on set, there are so many people around, a whole bustling crew dedicated to bringing the story to life.
"There's simply no time to overthink the spooky elements when you're in the thick of filming," she says with a laugh.
While the entire production of 'Susuk Bidadari' took around 20 days of intense filming, Trisha's ethereal performance as Seri was mostly captured within a focused seven-day period.
She spoke warmly about the invaluable experience of working alongside other cast members such as Che Puan Sarimah Ibrahim.
"I had the privilege of working with Rosyam before in 'Memoir Seorang Guru', but this was my first time sharing the screen with the wonderful Sarimah and the talented Alya Iman.
"When you get the chance to collaborate with actors who possess such immense capabilities and experience, there is always something profound to learn from them.
"Sometimes, they generously share specific acting tips, little nuggets of wisdom gleaned from years in the industry, and other times, the most valuable lesson is simply observing their work ethic and approach to their craft.
"If you come to the set with an open mind and a genuine willingness to learn, you can absorb so much," she says.
Interestingly, her journey into acting began in the dynamic world of stunt performance.
Trisha reveals that she even incorporates some of that unique skill set into her role as Seri.
"Stunt acting is where I first honed my performance skills, it's my forte. So why not infuse a little bit of that physicality and nuanced movement into the character of Seri?" she adds with a smile.
'Susuk Bidadari' is set to be released later this year.