Maria Olsen – Krampus Origins

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I recently wrapped the horror feature Beast of Our Fathers in Ohio and the sci-fi thriller Kecksburg in Pennsylvania. I’m currently in pre-production for a horror feature to shoot in South Africa early next year as well as a western mystery, Eminence Hill, and a psychological thriller, Latent, which will both shoot in January 2019 in Arizona and Pennsylvania respectively. Eminence Hill will actually reunite Robert Conway with many of the stars of Krampus Origins and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. I’m also patiently waiting for the release of I Spit On Your Grave Deja Vu, which should happen early in 2019.

Q) Please tell us the premise for Krampus Origins.

A) Krampus Origins tells the tale of how the Krampus, The Christmas Demon, moves from Europe to The United States during the First World War. Attached to a magical book, which falls into the possession of a young teacher at a school for orphans, the Demon takes human form and terrorizes the children and teachers at the school. Whether or not the kids will be able to vanquish the demon before all of them are kidnapped and exiled to another dimension is a question that can only be answered if you see the film!

Q) What made you want to be a part of the film?

A) There were two main reasons: The first reason was that I wanted to work with Robert and his team again. I had previously worked with them on The Covenant in late 2015 and I had had such a wonderful time on set that I was eager to repeat the experience as soon as possible. Working on Krampus Origins seemed like the best way to make this reunion happen. The second reason is that the character I play in the film – Sr. Mary Rafus – is not the Big Bad. She’s just a normal person dealing with an abnormal situation and it was refreshing, for once, to not play the villain!

Q) How was your character originally described to you?

A) At the time I auditioned for the film, the character I was going to play was rather different from that which I ended up playing. Originally, my character was going to be this slightly sinister and ultra-religious housekeeper and I was rather glad to hear that she had morphed into the strict-but-kind-hearted Sr. Rafus.

Q) What did you find challenging about your portrayal?

A) Having been educated in a convent for seven years – and having watched The Sound of Music SO many times – gave me some really good real-life experiences to draw from while I was creating my character. I didn’t really find creating her a challenge, but what WAS a challenge was negotiating the very involved nun’s habit I had to wear from the role. Putting it on for the very first time took a huge amount of time, as we were not quite sure how all the pieces fit together. It did get easier as the shoot went on; however, but I could not have done it without all the help I received from the wardrobe and make-up departments.

Q) What advice did director Joseph Mbah offer while shooting that you took to heart?

A) Just before we started shooting my first scene, Joseph called me aside to have a quiet talk about how he perceived Sr. Rafus. We were both very relieved to realize that we had actually come towards the character from the same direction and that we both believed that whatever she does should come from a place of love.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) I think my favorite part of filming was working with my friend Katie Peabody who plays the role of Josephine, the new teacher who finds herself having to help save the children from Krampus. Katie flew in from Romania at very short notice to take over the role and we found ourselves pulling extremely long days to stay on schedule. She is an absolute joy to work with and also extremely talented and I cannot wait to work with her again!

I also really enjoyed the time one of our crew caught what we think is a ghost on camera! The building we shot at has, I believe, a reputation of being haunted and the ghosts sure came out to see what we were doing!

Q) What are a few of your personal favorite horror movies?

A) I watch a lot of horror films, both new and old, but I totally do have my favorites! On my Top Ten List you will find such classics as Nosferatu (the original), The Exorcist, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Interview with The Vampire and Suspiria (the original), side by side with more recent films like Last Shift and Who’s Watching Oliver.

Q) What do you think it is about the movie that will make it a fast horror film favorite?

A) I think that Krampus Origins is a rather unique film as it appears to specifically target the Young Adult horror fan family. With YA star Anna Harr leading the pack of school kids who will save the world, this is also the perfect film to use to introduce young potential horror fans to the genre.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to the work you do?

A) Yes, I do indeed enjoy the instant fan feedback that I can sometimes receive on social media! It’s absolutely amazing to realize that you can instantly reach out to fans, friends and far-away family and get almost instantaneous interest and feedback. We are the first generation of actors and filmmakers to be able to make use of this amazing tool, and every day we learn of new ways to use what is, without doubt, a gift.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And keep your eyes open for news about the upcoming release of I Spit On Your Grave Deja Vu!