Actor Brent Bailey chatted about starring in the new mystery horror thriller “The Huntsman,” which was written and directed by Kyle Kauwika Harris.
The movie is based on the award-winning novel by Judith Sanders. It stars Shawn Ashmore, Elizabeth Mitchell, Jessy Schram, Brent Basiley, and Garret Dillahunt, among others.
The synopsis is: When an ICU nurse volunteers to help a coma patient accused of murdering six women, he is drawn into a chilling web of lies, obsession, and deadly secrets as a detective races to stop the killer.
How was your experience making the film “The Huntsman”?
Honestly, it was awesome. I love being on set, so I’m already happy walking in, and even though The Huntsman was a new group for me, everyone was incredibly welcoming. It turned into a really fun, collaborative experience.
What did you like most about your character Reynolds?
I love playing flawed characters. The fun part is figuring out how someone justifies their actions even when they know they’re bending the rules.
That kind of complexity forces you to step outside yourself and really understand what shaped this person and why they make the choices they do. Those are always the most interesting roles to dig into.
What was it like working with writer and director Kyle Kauwika Harris?
Kyle has a real confidence as a director, and that gives actors the freedom to take risks.
You know you can try things, explore, and push the character, because he’s got a strong vision and will guide you if needed. That kind of trust makes the work better.
What was it like working with actors Shawn Ashmore, Garret Dillahunt, and the team?
It was a blast. Shawn, Garret, and the entire team just love making movies, and when that’s the energy on set, it makes everything better.
Location shoots always feel a bit like summer camp — you show up as strangers and leave with friendships and a bunch of great memories.
What did this screenplay teach you about yourself?
Every movie just reminds me how much I love this job. Acting is one of those careers you can keep doing forever if the passion’s still there, and for me, it absolutely is.
So, the plan is to keep going as long as I’m still having fun and still learning.
What do your plans for the future include?
In this career you never fully know what’s coming next, and honestly that’s one of the things I love about it — there’s always a new adventure around the corner.
This year I’ve made a conscious decision to really focus on TV and film, so that’s where most of my energy is going right now. I’m excited to see what comes out of that.
How does it feel to be an actor in the digital age? (now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)
Like anything, there’s pros and cons, but I really focus on what’s exciting about it. The digital age has made it possible for more people to create and share their stories than ever before.
With streaming, affordable technology, and new platforms, there are simply more opportunities to make great work — and as someone who loves being on set, that’s a great place for the industry to be.
What would you like to tell our readers about “The Huntsman”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
I hope it gives audiences a really entertaining ride and keeps them guessing all the way to the end. More than anything, I hope there’s a character people connect with and see a little bit of themselves in.
At the end of the day, movies only work because audiences show up, so we’re incredibly grateful anytime people choose to spend their time with one of ours.
To learn more about actor Brent Bailey, follow him on Instagram.
Read More: “The Huntsman” review.
