‘Terrifier’ Star Lauren LeVera on How She Tackles Deep Distress in Her New Movie ‘Twisted’

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Lauren LeVera is well-known in the horror genre, especially for her role as Sienna Shaw in the popular Terrifier films, where her character endures a relentless cycle of trauma. In the new movie Twisted, LeVera plays Paloma, a small-time con artist whose life is turned upside down when she becomes a patient of a sinister doctor who pushes all the limits.

Dr. Keizan, portrayed by Djimon Hounsou – you might know him from the Shazam movies – believes he can save the world, but his methods are horrifying. He thinks the only way forward is to perform cruel and unethical surgeries on people.

TopMob recently interviewed Lauren LaVera from Twisted. She discussed her process for portraying characters experiencing intense emotional hardship, and how she ensures each performance feels genuine and specific to that character.

LaVera explained that thorough preparation is key, and ideally, you do all that work beforehand so you don’t have to worry about it during filming. She also emphasized the importance of a positive environment and a good crew, noting she’s been lucky to consistently work on projects with wonderful teams and surroundings.

The actress was quick to praise her fellow actors, especially Djimon Hounsou from Twisted, describing him as a very talented performer who is incredibly perceptive and responsive. She also credited director Darren Lynn Bousman for creating a space where she felt free to explore her character and improvise, which greatly contributed to her performance.

Lauren LaVera ultimately felt that the set of Twisted offered a lot of creative freedom, and she didn’t feel restricted in any way.

TopMob interviewed both Lauren LeVera, who stars in Twisted, and the film’s director, Darren Lynn Bousman. You can find the complete interview below.

Twisted hits VOD on February 6, 2026.

Lauren LaVera on How She Approaches Playing That Deep Distress

“There Was a Lot of Freedom on the Set That I Didn’t Feel Limited or Constricted.”

  • TopMob: “Lauren, I want to start with you, because you know, you’ve obviously played multiple characters that really get into dark places, and this intense distress. And so I’m just curious, how do you work at making sure that you know when you are playing those beats and that intense distress, that it never feels like you’re playing the same beat, project after project, and that each one reflects the character at hand?”

That’s a great question! It’s hard to put into words exactly, but as an actor, you do a lot of preparation beforehand, and then you try to let all of that work become natural and not consciously think about it while you’re filming. I also think the people I’m working with and the environment around me play a big role.

The filmmakers, both on this project and in their previous work, are excellent at creating a truly immersive experience, making you feel like you’re actually in the world they depict.

I also need to credit my fellow actors. Djimon Hounsou is incredibly talented – he’s a really intuitive listener and a very giving performer. He’s always experimenting with new ideas, which kept every scene feeling fresh. Plus, the director, Darren, encouraged us to improvise and let the characters develop naturally.

I had a lot of creative freedom on set, which allowed me to fully explore the character of Paloma and really see what she was capable of. It was a fantastic experience, and I think we pushed the boundaries of what the role could be. I really enjoyed it.

Director Darren Lynn Bousman on How ‘Saw’ Influenced ‘Twisted’

Bousman Reveals That ‘Saw’ Will Always Be in His DNA.

  • TopMob: “Darren, I’m a huge ‘Saw’ fan. In watching this, I picked up on so many influences and some familiarity. How much did your time on that franchise directly play into how you approach ‘Twisted,’ and how do you feel ‘Twisted’ has now further evolved your style?”

Director Darren Lynn Bousman recalls something Guillermo del Toro once said that really stuck with him: ‘You never have enough time or money, no matter how much you’re given.’ Bousman relates to this feeling, explaining that making a movie always feels like a frantic race against the clock.

Filmmaking essentially involves creating three different movies. First, there’s the movie you initially plan with the script. Then, during production, reality sets in – time or budget constraints force changes, and the film evolves. Finally, in post-production, it transforms again, often becoming something quite different from the original vision due to limitations in what was actually filmed. It’s a constant process of adaptation and compromise.

You know, as a fan who’s followed filmmaking for a while, I’ve realized there’s no single ‘right’ way to do things. It’s all about constantly adapting, breaking the rules you thought you knew, and just figuring things out as you go.

I believe this film will be similar to my previous work. Naturally, it will carry elements of ‘Saw’ because those films are a huge part of my background – I essentially grew up making them. I started with ‘Saw’ in my 20s, and I expect that even as I get older, those influences will always be present in my films.

How Will ‘Twisted’ Impress and Surprise Horror Fans

“What I Like About it is This Movie is Not So Cut and Dry…”

  • TopMob: “Horror fans can be hard to impress. What is it about this movie that you think will not only impress genre fans, but might also surprise them?”

Darren Lynn Bousman believes what makes this movie interesting is its complexity. Unlike typical films with clear heroes and villains, this one blurs the lines. The characters aren’t simply good or bad; they switch between being the hero and the villain depending on the situation.

Paloma might not be immediately likable – at first, she’s portrayed as someone who deceives and steals. However, your feelings towards her could shift by the end of the film, or they might not. I think the movie deliberately blurs the lines between who’s the good guy and who’s the bad guy, and that changes depending on the scene.

I completely agree. What makes characters compelling is their humanity. As an actor, it’s incredibly rewarding to delve into the complex, morally ambiguous sides of a character – that’s where you really connect with the realities of the human experience.

I really enjoy the horror genre because it’s a great way to examine complex ideas – like what it means to be human or current events – without being overly preachy. It allows for exploration and discussion, and I love how the genre is constantly changing and growing. I think this film is a perfect example of that evolution.

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2026-02-06 02:37