Bethany

James Cullen Bressack, Stefanie Estes and Zack Ward Talk Stage Mom Syndrome in

- Howard Gorman

Since breaking on to the scene at the tender young age of 18 with his directorial debut My Pure Joy, James Cullen Bressack has built up one of the most prolific resumés on the horror scene. Raising the bar with each new project, his latest endeavour, Bethany, is by far his most sublime and mature to date, although lamentably for many, it’s also his final horror outing for a while as he plans to take a hiatus to explore other genres.

Starring Stefanie Estes, Zack Ward (who also co-wrote the film), Shannen Doherty and Tom Green, Bethany relates a genuine and chilling tale of repressed memories. On moving back to her childhood home with her husband, Claire (Estes) reawakens traumatic memories of her demanding mother. As her husband’s work picks up, Claire finds herself home alone and forced to face a mysterious figure haunting these newly aroused memories.

To celebrate the US release of Bethany, SCREAM caught up with Cullen Bressack, Estes and Ward to discuss the true lifeblood behind the film and why the revered horror helmer feels now is a better time than any to break out into other genres, at least for the time being.

SCREAM: You cut your teeth and made a name for yourself as a horror filmmaker. I’m sure many fans will be sad to hear this will be your last film in the genre for now but what made you decide Bethany would be your last stab at horror?