Horror actor and lifelong genre fan Dante B. Salazar returns to the dark side in Grace of God, playing cult member Malachi in the 1970s-set doomsday cult horror film.
The film is heading to Tubi on September 29, with streaming also available through Fandango at Home, Xumo Play and Fawesome. In the film, a young girl trapped within an isolated religious cult slowly begins to question the world around her as the group’s beliefs move toward something increasingly sinister.
Salazar has already built up a string of horror credits, including The Arkansas Pigman Massacre, Don’t Make a Sound and Ouija Clown. We caught up with him to talk about preparing for Malachi, his favorite horror movies, the bloodiest scene he has ever filmed and the horror legends he would love to work with.
You’ve appeared in quite a few horror movies now. What keeps bringing you back to the genre?
I’ve always been a horror fan first. I grew up watching horror movies, so actually getting to be in them now is something I really enjoy. Horror also lets you play characters and situations you would probably never get to do in another genre. You can go much darker with it.
Tell us about Malachi in Grace of God. What appealed to you about the character?
Malachi is part of this cult and he has a very intense presence. What I liked about him is that he doesn’t necessarily have to say a lot for you to know something isn’t right. He believes in what is happening around him, and I think that makes him more disturbing than if he was just obviously crazy.
I watched all of the Children of the Corn movies. That was probably the biggest thing. I wanted to get into that cult atmosphere and look at the way those characters completely believe in what they are doing. It helped get me into the right mindset for Malachi.
The cult scenes in Grace of God are often very still and ritualistic. Did that change the way you played him?
Definitely. Sometimes just standing there and watching somebody can be creepier than running around screaming. With Malachi I wanted him to seem calm about what was happening because, to him, this is normal. He belongs there and believes in it.
What was your favorite scene to film in Grace of God?
Probably the scene where I got to kill somebody. I’m not going to say who because I don’t want to spoil it, but that was definitely one of my favorite scenes to shoot.
You’re a big horror fan yourself. What are some of your favorite horror movies?
Friday the 13th is definitely one of them. I love the classic slashers. Scream is another big one for me, and the original IT too. Those are movies I can keep going back to.
Speaking of Scream, you actually have a connection to the original movie now.
Yeah, which is really cool for me because I’m such a big Scream fan. I got to appear alongside Nancy Anne Ridder, who was in the original Scream, in Don’t Make a Sound. Being able to work with somebody connected to one of the movies I grew up loving was pretty special.
If you could join any established horror franchise, which would you choose?
Probably Friday the 13th. Being in a Jason movie would be incredible. I’ve always loved that kind of old-school slasher horror.
Who would you most like to work with?
Neve Campbell would be amazing because of how much I love Scream. I would have loved to work with Tobe Hooper because of what he did for horror. And Kane Hodder would definitely be somebody I’d love to work with too.
You’ve filmed some pretty bloody scenes. What has been the worst one?
The Arkansas Pigman Massacre, easily. The scene where the Pigman eats me was probably the bloodiest thing I’ve ever done. There were intestines and blood everywhere, and I was basically sinking into all of it. It was really bloody and it felt very real while we were filming it.
Was that fun to shoot or just disgusting?
Both. When you’re lying there covered in fake blood and intestines it’s obviously disgusting, but at the same time you know how crazy it is going to look in the movie. Those are usually the scenes you remember the most.
Do you prefer psychological horror or really bloody horror?
I like both. Psychological horror can stay in your head for a long time, but I also love practical gore and old-school effects. When something actually looks physical and real instead of too clean or digital, it makes a big difference.
If you could choose the perfect horror role for yourself, what would it be?
I’d love to play the main villain in a straight slasher movie. Something dark and physical where the character has a memorable look or personality. I like characters where you don’t immediately know exactly who they are or what they’re capable of.
Finally, what do you hope horror fans take away from Grace of God?
I hope they find it creepy. It isn’t only about blood or jump scares. There’s something disturbing about a whole group of people completely believing in something together and what they’re willing to do because of that belief. I think the cult atmosphere is one of the things that makes the movie different, and hopefully people remember Malachi too.
Grace of God begins streaming on Tubi September 29, with the film also available through Fandango at Home, Xumo Play and Fawesome.
https://link.tubi.tv/YElqtkY8L6b
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