Latest news with #TheOccupant
UPI
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Ella Balinska shares how she nailed first takes for 'The Occupant'
1 of 5 | Ella Balinska, seen at the "F1" premiere in June in New York City, stars in "The Occupant." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Snowy elements during the filming of The Occupant, in theaters and video-on-demand Friday, required star Ella Balinska to get many scenes right in just one take. The actress plays Abby, an engineering geologist who survives a helicopter crash. In a recent Zoom interview with UPI, Balinska described filming on location in the Caucasus Mountains in the country of Georgia. The snow had to look like no one had been there before Abby, meaning the filmmakers could not remove footprints after the first take. "When we're doing these massive shots, we had to get it right the first time," Balinska, 28, said. "Otherwise, we were limited to only doing closeups and it loses that vast scale." Leaving the snow untouched also made it challenging for director Hugo Kejzer to set marks for the actress to hit during each take. "If it was really specific, we'd get a rock and try and throw it as best as we could to the little area so it only made a tiny mark in the snow that you wouldn't see on a wide shot," she said. "It was like a ballet on the snow and on the side of the mountain." Balinska said she, Kejzer, cinematographer Robbie van Brussell, drone operator Bram van Woudenberg and the crew on the mountain shared a shorthand to achieve those shots. She appreciated the technical challenge, too, as Balinska calls herself a technical actor. "Honestly, it just gets to a point where you kind of want to work a little bit smarter," she said. "If you don't need to repeat a shot, I would prefer not to, especially when it involves falling into the ice." Balinska first read the Occupant script in 2019 and intended to follow up on her films Charlie's Angels and Run Sweetheart Run with the project. Delays, including the COVID-19 pandemic, postponed filming until 2022. Now, the film comes after her role in the Netflix Resident Evil series and film Skincare. Ballinska said her workload served the role of Abby. "By the time we got to shooting the project, I was like, I'm exhausted," she said. "Funnily enough, [it] psychologically put me in the right place for this character because the character's exhausted too. And I think it made it 10 times more real and truthful than it ever could have been if we shot it in 2019." During her journey, Abby reaches John, another survivor, via radio and attempts to find him. Rob Delaney was cast as the voice of John after filming wrapped, meaning assistant director Toby Sherbourne read John's lines on set for timing. Since Sherbourne was not an actor, Balinska imagined the performance the eventual actor on the other line would give. "A lot of the time, I'd learn the entire scene myself," she said. "I'd imagine different deliveries of different lines that he had in relation to what Hugo wanted for the scene. It was just a lot of spinning plates in one go which is definitely tricky but we managed to get it done." Other challenges included limited filming hours when the sun was in the right position above the mountains, staying hydrated and sun protection. "Everyone forgets the snow is a massive reflector," Balinska said. "I had my feet wrapped in plastic bags and my feet taped so I wouldn't get my feet wet. Then we realized my feet were getting sweaty and damp so we'd have to change the plastic bag." Balinska said she is drawn to physical roles like The Occupant, the action-packed Charlie's Angels, the horror pursuit of Run Sweetheart Run and zombies of Resident Evil. "I think [it's] a really interesting challenge to be able to balance the emotional demands as well as physical demands," she said. She also appreciated how The Occupant was a human survival tale, as opposed to playing a trained agent in Charlie's or backed by a team in Resident Evil. Abby was working in Georgia to pay for experimental cancer treatment for her sister and was flying home after her sister took a turn for the worse. "It's not one of those projects where the main character is trying to save the world and they're trying to get through a situation with all these amazing weapons," she said. "No, it's literally just one person's very humble and quite quiet and painful drive to just get home." The remote filming location meant there were no Hollywood comforts for the cast and crew in real life. The entire group stayed in a cabin in the Caucasus, and everyone chipped in behind the scenes. "We found ourselves carrying film equipment up the side of the mountain just to be able to get the shot," she said. "We were all staying in a cabin getting the shot done. It was really remarkable."
Geek Tyrant
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Cool Trailer for the Survival Psychological Sci-Fi Thriller THE OCCUPANT — GeekTyrant
Decal Releasing has released a trailer for an interesting new sci-fi survival thriller The Occupant , and the story is set in the remote Georgian taiga. Ella Balinska plays Abby, 'a desperate geologist who takes a high-paying, high-risk mining job in the remote wilds of Northern Georgia to fund her sister's experimental cancer treatment. But when her chopper goes down and her radio becomes her only lifeline, Abby finds herself in a survival scenario that's equal parts icy terrain & psychological warfare. 'Enter John (Rob Delaney), a mysterious voice on the other end. He's charming, he's helpful... and he might not be real. As Abby's oxygen thins and her doubts rise, the real question isn't how she'll get out, but who she's talking to... and what he wants. Is she really talking to someone who can help, someone who claims to "know exactly how she feels right now"? Scared, alone, and no idea how to get to safety.' This movie is described as a 'twisty and inventive survival thriller" and I'm curious about how the story will play out. It looks like a good flick. The movie was directed by Hugo Keijzer, who is making his directorial debut. It initially premiered at the 2025 SXSW London Film Festival, and will debut on VOD to watch starting in September.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Fascinating and suspenseful' Netflix thriller leaves fans gripped with 'psychopathic' leading man and 'dark' twist
A 'fascinating and suspenseful' Netflix thriller has left fans gripped with a 'psychopathic' leading man and a 'dark' twist. The Occupant first hit screens back in 2020 and is available to watch on the streaming platform. It follows unemployed advertising executive Javier Muñoz (Javier Gutiérrez) who becomes obsessed with the new tenants of the home he had to give up. However, things take a horrifying twist when 'his motives toward the family turn sinister,' according to the synopsis. Despite only having a modest 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Occupant has still managed to collect plenty of praise from fans. High On Films penned: 'The main reason why The Occupant works is Javier Gutierrez's dedicated performance as the psychopathic, dejected advertiser who would go to any heights to get what he wants.' Pittsburgh Magazine described it as 'fascinating to watch'. While another said: 'Excellent scenario, I didn't expect it to end this way, it is a suspenseful movie indeed. And a great performance by Javier Gutierrez.' 'Fantastic character study of greed and psychopathy in a capitalistic society. It's a slow burn, but well worth it,' another gushed. Someone else said: 'Great movie, nice plot.' Though not everyone was a fan and one penned: 'Not one of the best Spanish films. you invest your time in the story but all you get is a totally unbelievable plot.' 'To call this a thriller is an over statement. It's mostly a drama. Pretty boring,' someone else said. Another thriller on Netflix has been making waves amongst fans too. The Wrath Of Becky premiered in 2023 and has recently been added to the streaming platform. Despite only having a modest 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Occupant has still managed to collect plenty of praise from fans Though not everyone was a fan and one penned: 'Not one of the best Spanish films. you invest your time in the story but all you get is a totally unbelievable plot.' Packed full of action and blood, the highly acclaimed film stars Lulu Wilson as the titular lead character, a teenage girl. Becky moved in with a new caregiver, Elena, and finds herself seeking revenge after a trio of extremists cause her hassle and steal her pet dog. The film follows on from a 2020 prequel, called Becky, which saw the young girl lose her father after a group of Neo-Nazi convicts attacked their family's lake house. Fans have enjoyed the film over the years and many have left their verdicts online. The Occupant is available to stream on Netflix.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Creepy' Netflix thriller with unexpected ending is 'well worth it'
The Occupant, also known as Hogar, is a 2020 Spanish thriller film that has delved into a stalker's psyche with a thrilling screenplay - and it's got everyone talking The 2020 Spanish-language thriller drama, The Occupant, also known as Hogar, has been receiving notable mention from critics, highlighting its 'intriguing' nature as it explores the mind of a stalker through its suspense-filled narrative. Now available for streaming on Netflix, the plot revolves around the character Javier Muñoz, portrayed by Javier Gutiérrez, a formerly thriving advertising executive forced to sell his beloved Barcelona apartment because of unemployment. Determined to reclaim his past lifestyle, Javier grows fixated with the new inhabitants of his previous abode—a family that seems picture-perfect from the outside—and starts shadowing them. His obsession takes a dark turn as he devises methods to surreptitiously become part of their lives and scheme their downfall with disturbingly strategic manipulations. Initially set for its world premiere at the Málaga Spanish Film Festival in March 2020, The Occupant's debut was deferred due to the global outbreak of Coronavirus. Subsequently, the movie made its international appearance on Netflix on March 25, 2020. Garnishing a 65 per cent approval score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, The Occupant launched to mixed reviews, with one reviewer describing it as: "A good thriller, but one can't help but feel that it didn't quite reach its full potential.", reports the Mirror US. One fan explained the appeal of The Occupant: "The main reason why The Occupant works is Javier Gutierrez's dedicated performance as the psychopathic, dejected advertiser who would go to any heights to get what he wants." Expanding on the dynamics of the film's story, a reviewer observed: "There's an interesting genre creep at hand in The Occupant. At its outset, it is a domestic drama; by the conclusion, it's a tense, dark thriller. The transition is very careful - and fascinating to watch." Yet another critic pointed out some pitfalls: "The Occupant is a well-made movie with a variety of thoughtful visual compositions and an eye for effectively moody lighting. It also meanders tediously for an hour without really developing its characters." Echoing mixed sentiments, a viewer wrote: "The movie started out on a strong footing, but after a short period, it quickly descended into nonsensical chaos. It's full of plot holes that make it frustrating to watch. It's full of very unbelievable and unrealistic developments and has a very dumb ending." While a different spectator highlighted the deeper themes: "Fantastic character study of greed and psychopathy in a capitalistic society. It's a slow burn, but well worth it." In lavish praise, one admirer commented on The Occupant: "Excellent scenario, I didn't expect it to end this way, it is a suspenseful movie indeed. And a great performance by Javier Gutierrez." Another viewer grumbled over the lack of depth in the Pastor brothers' characters in a recent film: "Boring, uninspiring. Put me sleep. Literally. Never had a logical progression of character development in this movie. Everyone feels hollow."
Gizmodo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Amanda Seyfried Is Already Recruiting People for the ‘Jennifer's Body' Sequel
An international TV spot gives us a glimmer of new Superman footage. Riri Williams makes a tough choice in a new clip from Ironheart. Plus, Ralph Macchio teases the future of the 'Karate Kid' universe. Spoilers now! Jennifer's Body 2 During a recent interview with Variety, Amanda Seyfried confirmed to co-star Adam Brody there are plans in place for a new Jennifer's Body. Seyfried: We're making another [Jennifer's Body]. Are you going to do it? Brody: I heard. I wasn't contacted. I died [in the first one]. Seyfried: So did Megan Fox, and I'm not doing it without her. Karate Kid Speaking with Newport Beach TV Fest (via Screen Rant), Ralph Macchio stated 'the Miyagiverse is infinite' and Cobra Kai showrunners Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg] are 'working on some conceptual ideas' for new projects. Oh yeah, I'm gonna tell you right now. Only that there's dialogue that's going on. Until you have the green light, and you're making it, it's probably not the right thing to tease. But there are those areas – I know the guys [Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg] are working on some conceptual ideas – and two things that we know: The Miyagiverse is infinite and Cobra Kai Never Dies. So we'll see, and then outside of that, there are other places to – I can't drop the news fully, but we're working on it. We're working on it. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence A recent news report from Fox 5 San Diego included behind-the-scenes footage from the new Killer Tomatoes movie as filming wrapped in Chula Vista, California. Click through to have a look. Superman Cat Grant gossips with Lois Lane in the latest international Superman TV spot. The Occupant A woman stranded in the remote wilds of Northern Georgia (Ella Balinska) is aided by a disembodied Rob Delaney who may-or-may-not actually exist in the trailer for The Occupant. Eye for an Eye Elsewhere, Whitney Peak (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) discovers an entity named Mr. Sandman ate her grandmother's eyeballs in the trailer for Eye for an Eye, co-starring S. Epatha Merkerson. Miraculous Stellar Force According to Variety, Disney has officially acquired the rights to Miraculous Stellar Force, a new anime series based on Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. Said to be 'set at an international school in the Japanese capital,' the series follows '12 students who discover they are guardians of the Stellar Matrix, a fractured ancient cosmic weapon. Under the leadership of Miki, Mayotte and Yu Lu, these heroes must overcome personal differences and chaotic friendships to face formidable galactic villains such as the revenge-driven Modeler and the ominous force known as The Supreme.' Ironheart Finally, Riri Williams sells her soul (metaphorically…so far) to do something 'iconic' in a new clip from Ironheart.
