Horror Favourites – Louis James

The award-winning psychological thriller HELP, which is available on digital download in the UK, USA and Canada now, was filmed over just 12 days during the UK lockdown restrictions with only 20 cast and crew members involved. One of these was actor and producer Louis James who grabbed for a quick chat about his favorite horror film.

Louis was born in Epsom, Surrey, in 1987. Initially, Louis began his acting career at The Actors Centre and then he subsequently trained at the Drama Centre London. He has performed widely both on stage and screen, racking up an array of impressive credits, reviews, nominations and awards. He won two best actor awards for The English Teacher (2020).

Due to this breakthrough performance as ‘Mr Robert’ in Blake Ridder’s award-winning short film The English Teacher (2020), Louis James has been brought to the attention of audiences worldwide. Prior to this, he had steadily been gaining attention for his stage and screen performances over several years.

In HELP Louis plays a lawyer battling with a secret in this dark, intense psychological thriller. Alongside him is an impressive cast of promising actors also including Emily Redpath (Romeo and Juliet, Casualty), Sarah Alexandra Marks (Glamour, Psychosis) and including a cameo performance from iconic boyband Blue’s very own Duncan James!

HELP’s story revolves around a young woman whose life turns chaotic when she uncovers a deadly secret about her friend. A painful break-up prompts Grace to visit her friend Liv who is living in the idyllic English countryside with her boyfriend Edward and his dog Polly. The trio start the weekend in high spirits but soon turns into chaos, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the friends come to see each other in a whole new light. Everyone has a secret.

Below HELP producer and actor Louis James talks about his favourite horror film:

“My favourite horror film is the The Exorcist which I first saw as a teenager. Often I thought this was due to my Catholic upbringing, fear of the ‘evil one’ who’s malevolence had been carved into my subconscious. As the years rolled by and I watched it again in my 20’s and my 30’s I realised that it was of course that but so much more.

The archetype of all evil, the prince of darkness himself, manifesting in an innocent child creates a juxtaposition so potent one cannot walk away without an uneasy feeling in the soul. As you can probably tell by now I enjoy a movie with a theological/mystical undercurrent. One that goes beyond mere philosophical and moralistic pondering – though I am fond of those too!

In regards to the masterpiece of filmmaking itself, The Exorcist proves that the ultimate sophistication is simplicity. Friedkin uses everyday locations as an inviting demeanour, to lure you into the mystery. This of course is the smartest of all seductions, but it’s not long before the ominous force is masterfully wrapped around you.

The lighting, cinematography and score evoke a sensation the audience cannot escape. Of course none of the above could be maximised without top tier casting/acting. You look into the eyes of the performers and feel they are swept up in the story – a communion with dead dead poets perhaps?

‘Help’ our debut feature film has just been released. Come to think of it does ‘Help me’ not appear on Regan’s face in The Exorcist? Anyway.. though I see our film as a psychological thriller there are certainly elements reminiscent of the horror genre we have interwoven. No spoilers but horror fans won’t be disappointed if they stick with it until the end.

We have just just wrapped our 2nd feature – a horror called ‘The Manor.’ Blake and I experimented with how evil can transpire from within but chill us from the outside. We hope our cinematic experience created a few ounces of the feeling The Exorcist does.

Stay tuned for that one, and you can decide yourselves! The trailer is live on our YouTube channel.”

The Award-Winning Psychological Thriller HELP is available on Digital Download now.