Michael C. Williams reflects on his career and his latest horror movie Ghost Game

Michael C. Williams reflects on his career and his latest horror movie Ghost Game

As a seasoned gamer of horror movies, I must say that Michael C. Williams has truly mastered the art of terror with his captivating performance in “Ghost Game”. His portrayal of Pete, an alcoholic writer grappling with a haunted house and pranksters, is nothing short of spellbinding. The connection to “The Blair Witch Project” adds an extra layer of anticipation that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.


Enthusiasts of horror films will recognize Michael C. Williams for his chilling role in the groundbreaking found footage film “The Blair Witch Project“, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. He re-enters the horror realm with “Ghost Game”, a smartly crafted movie by Jill Gevargizian (“The Stylist“) that challenges traditional ideas of home invasion films and ghost stories. In this film, Williams portrays Pete, a writer struggling with alcoholism, who finds himself in a house possibly haunted, and also under siege from a gang of pranksters who stream their antics – a crucial aspect of the “ghost game” or phrogging as it’s also known.

We spoke with Williams just prior to Ghost Game’s release about his return to the horror genre, his character Pete, The Blair Witch Project connection, and working with a young cast.

This interview was edited slightly for clarity.

Michael C. Williams: A couple of Junes ago, I appeared in the film “Satanic Hispanics” alongside Eduardo. Later, I met one of the producers, Carlo Glorioso, who reached out to me, along with Sam Lukowski, whom I had known for years but hadn’t worked with before. They both shared the script with me and were keen for me to read it, as they thought it could be a lot of fun.

Michael C. Williams found the role particularly captivating because it offered a departure from his usual “Nice Guy Mike” characters. Every character has aspects of other traits within them. Pete’s character develops a darker side, but as a person, he doesn’t announce that he’ll be acting darkly today. Instead, Pete strives to do what’s best for his family, but things fall apart despite his efforts to maintain control. The role felt authentic because you can’t forcefully act mean or dark – it works better when these traits emerge naturally over time. This role drew Michael in due to its portrayal of anger and the circumstances surrounding it.

Michael C. Williams shared that he found everyone he worked with to be extraordinary. He is an actor who values learning from his peers and only offers advice when asked. Occasionally, he did provide advice, for which he’s thankful because he considers acting a collaborative process. He believes he can learn just as much from Vienna, Zaen, or Kia, if not more than they can learn from him. Each of them brings a unique energy and authenticity to their roles.

Michael C. Williams reflects on his career and his latest horror movie Ghost Game

Michael C. Williams: Arriving at that house for the first time on an ordinary Tuesday, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of beauty and unease. The house seemed to possess its own unique energy. It was grand, ancient, and mostly vacant. The way they had ornamented it was both stunning and eerie. I have to admit, cinematographer Justin Brooks did an excellent job in capturing the atmosphere and essence of that house.

Michael C. Williams: Essentially, it’s my association with filmmakers in the horror genre and the opportunity to appear in “Satanic Hispanics” directed by Ed Sanchez that led me here. Through Ed, I met Carlo Glorioso who introduced me to Jill Gevargizian. We had a conversation, and I found myself working with these talented, kind, and creative individuals over the years. I’m thankful for this journey.

The “Ghost Game” is set to be shown in cinemas for a brief period, starting from October 18. After that, you can watch it digitally from October 22 onwards.

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2024-10-08 21:25

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