Emily Hampshire in ‘Mom.’ Photo Courtesy of Uncork’d Entertainment.
Emily Hampshire of “Schitt’s Creek” chatted about starring in the psychological thriller “Mom.”
“Casablana” actress Joy Page once said: “Dream and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be.” This quote applies to Canadian actress Emily Hampshire.
The synopsis is: “Mom” follows Meredith, a struggling mother (Emily Hampshire) who is abandoned by her family and partner after a horrific incident.
As she falls further into isolation, she begins to be haunted by a sinister entity that is determined to make her relive her darkest moments. Delving into the darker side of motherhood, Mom is an intelligent and original take on the family-based horror story.
It was directed by Adam O’Brien and written by Philip Kalin-Hajdu. “Mom” stars François Arnaud (“Marlowe”) and Christian Convery (“Cocaine Bear”). Delirium Pictures and Kinetic Film Group are producers.
Experience starring in ‘Mom’
“Mom” was released in select theaters on February 11th, and it is available on digital and VOD via Uncork’d Entertainment. This film made its world premiere at Glasgow FrightFest in 2024.
On being a part of “Mom,” Hampshire said, “It was an experience. I felt like I went through having a baby and realizing that I don’t want one.”
Working with director Adam O’Brien
On working with director Adam O’Brien, she said, “Adam was truly amazing, especially in a smaller movie like this where everyone is in it because they believe in the script and the project. Adam was so collaborative, and I could talk to him about anything.
“I trusted him with the performances, and the movie looks so beautiful despite being on such an awful subject matter. Adam was just so great and incredible to work with,” Hampshire added.
Working with François Arnaud as her male lead
Hampshire opened up about working with François Arnaud as her male lead. “I love François. I chose him,” she revealed.
“When I signed up to do the movie, it was very important for me to find a good husband character because on the page, it’s the hardest part. It’s not a likable character. Your empathy doesn’t necessarily go to him,” she said.
“We needed an actor who would bring a whole person to this, and I knew with François, and I was so happy that he said ‘yes’ to do this movie,” she expanded.
‘Schitt’s Creek’
Hampshire rose to global acclaim for her portrayal of Stevie Budd in the Emmy award-winning comedy series “Schitt’s Creek.”
“It was the greatest time of my life,” she exclaimed. “It was simply amazing!”
Hampshire on Tim Rozon
Hampshire had great words about her “Schitt’s Creek” co-star Tim Rozon. “I love Tim Rozon… he is just amazing,” she exclaimed. “I love Garde Manger, his restaurant in Montreal as well.”
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, Hampshire said, “I think the digital age is amazing, especially for movies like ‘Mom,’ which would otherwise not be seen.”
“Before ‘Schmitt’s Creek,’ all I did was smaller indie movies that went to festivals, and if you didn’t see them in the festival or during the week they ran in the theater, you were out of luck,” she noted.
“Now, these movies can go to streaming and on Netflix, and I think it’s the greatest thing ever,” she admitted.
“The only thing that is the downside of it is that there is too much content out there; however, I think the digital age is great for indie movies,” she added.
‘The Mattachine Family’
Hampshire recalled that doing “The Mattachine Family” movie was “great.”
“That project was special,” she admitted. “I think that both ‘Mom’ and ‘The Mattachine Family’ films have a lot to say. Both films had some really passionate filmmakers behind them.”
“I love being a part of writers and directors’ first movies,” she noted. “It reminds me of how I started out. My best friend — since we were kids — Jacob Tierney did ‘Letterkenny’ and I did his first short with him and his first movie with him. We were roommates so he had to cast me; he had no choice,” she said with a sweet laugh.
Hampshire complimented “The Mattachine Family” director Andy Vallentine and writer Danny Vallentine, as well as actor Juan Pablo Di Pace.
“Andy and Danny are so great,” she exclaimed. “Also, Juan Pablo Di Pace is wonderful.”
“I’ve been very fortunate to work with amazing people. I wish I had some stories about working with a nightmare person, but I don’t,” she acknowledged.
Advice for young and emerging actors
For young and aspiring actors, she encouraged them “to get involved in the digital age.”
“I wish I had that when I was first starting out,” she admitted. “Back in the day, someone had to give you a job. You couldn’t just make a movie on your iPhone, and you couldn’t just post something.”
“A job back then was always in the hands of you proving yourself to somebody and them giving you a job,” she noted. “Now, you can write your own material, film it, and put it on the Internet for everyone to see.”
“My advice would be ‘don’t wait for somebody to give you a part.’ Do your own thing and make your own content. You just have to do it,” she underscored.
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, Hampshire revealed, “The Final Chapter.”
“This is where it all comes together,” she clarified. “It feels like everything I’ve worked in my life for is all coming together… in a magical way.”
Success
Regarding her definition of the word success, she said, “Success has always meant choice, for me. I know I am successful when I get to choose the project that I want to do or choose the project that I don’t want to do and say ‘no’ to people. That doesn’t usually happen.”
“Having a choice in what you want to do is the ultimate success to me,” she added.
Closing thoughts on the movie ‘Mom’
For fans and viewers, she remarked about “Mom,” “I would really love people to watch it. They can watch it on VOD now or on any platform.”
“It’s a dark movie because it’s about postpartum depression, and so, I think there is that part of it that has a lot to say. It’s birth control; just go and watch it,” she concluded.
To learn more about Emily Hampshire, follow her on Instagram.
Read More: Review of the psychological thriller “Mom“