Interview: James Preston Rogers on becoming the Satanic Slasher for Psycho Killer

James Preston Rogers as the Satanic Slasher - Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Psycho Killer is an intense horror movie with plenty of gore and a Silence of the Lambs, cat and mouse-type premise. It follows police officer Jane Archer (Georgina Campbell), who tracks the infamous Satanic Slasher (James Preston Rogers), after he murders her husband, a highway patrolman played by Stephen Adekolu. The film was directed by Gavin Polone, with a script by Se7ven screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker.

Shortly after its theatrical release, we spoke with Rogers about playing such an imposing villain and working with Campbell and Malcolm McDowell. The interview was edited slightly for clarity.

The Horror Lounge: You’ve had a broad career, including roles in TV and film, but as far as I know, you haven’t done horror yet. What drew you to Psycho Killer?

James Preston Rogers: I was in The Blackening, but I don’t know if that’s straight-up horror. I started acting and wrestling at the exact same time. I had to make a choice about wrestling, which gave me the tools to tell a story. If you watch a wrestling match on TV, you know who the good guy is and who the bad guy is by the moves they do and how they carry themselves. Wrestling gave me the tools, but acting gave me a different canvas. I started taking acting classes to help my wrestling. I was at the beginning of my career, and I had a choice. At the time, wrestlers weren’t seen as real actors. I didn’t love wrestling enough to marry it. I was really drawn to the script, working from the page, and working with directors. I wanted to create something where people could escape their everyday grind. I was really drawn to acting. I’ve been acting for 20 years, and I’ve gone through many courses. I’m a trained actor. I chose acting.

This is my first real horror film. I took the long way around, but I got my own film. No one gave it to me, and no one can take it away. It took me a long time, but I got here on my own. The edit wasn’t really the script we worked from. I saw an original cut, and it was scary. There was a whole backstory about why P.K. [Psycho Killer] was the Satanic Slasher. It was edited much differently than how we shot it.

I was initially going to pass when I first read the script. I’ve been acting so long and asking for a break. I wasn’t sure if I’d accept this role because it seemed pretty demonic. Once I realized it was a present for my 20 years of training and acting, I jumped right in. It was hard, but there’s comedy in there. It’s a horror film, but it has these moments. There’s some lightness to it, which I enjoyed. The director, Gavin Polone, is very creative. He lets you run with it and doesn’t box you in. He let us explore.

The Horror Lounge: What was it like playing such an intimidating villain and also wearing that mask for so much of the movie?

James Preston Rogers: To get into a mindset like that, I put myself to the side. I had to do justice to this character. I did my work before I got to set. Right before action, I could turn into who I needed to be. I knew where he was in that moment in the script. The other thing that really helped was the mask. The mask really helped me to find him. That was the starting point for me. The mask really dulls all of your senses. I thought that’s where he’s comfortable. It’s his soother and happy place. It’s very uncomfortable in there. If you’re claustrophobic, you don’t want to put that on, but it really helped me find the character quickly.

He believes he was right. No one believes they’re the bad guy. His mission was to do enough Satanic, bad things to get a high ranking in hell. This guy believes that the worse he can be, then the more he can become the right hand of Satan. That’s his ultimate goal. He has a confidence about him. I played him very confident and very formidable.

The Horror Lounge: Your character only has a little dialogue in the film, so what was it like to primarily act with your body and movements?

James Preston Rogers: I knew he’d be more movement. There’s strength in stillness. It keeps the viewer questioning. The dialogue he did have was good. He was thinking and putting together an article in the newspaper to reach out to other Satanic believers. He has a motive. This guy has some dialogue, like Freddy in A Nightmare on Elm Street. Freddy is funnier, but they both speak and have a motive.

When I read scripts, I just hear. I can hear a voice. I was very fortunate that the trajectory of my life has made it so that I can pick up dialogue and scripts. He doesn’t say a lot, so it had to be controlled, but when he does speak, you listen.

Georgina Campbell as Jane Archer - Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

The Horror Lounge: What was your experience like working with Georgina Campbell and Malcolm McDowell?

James Preston Rogers: Georgina is great. I did some research. I watched Barbarian to see who I was going to work with. The camera loves her. She knows how to work the lens. I couldn’t wait to work with her.

Malcolm showed up, and he knocked off pages and pages of dialogue. He’s a pro’s pro. You feel the confidence and energy, and he has energy for days. He’s so calm and sure of himself. He’s an actor’s actor. You could see all of his preparation. I watched him at the table, doing a monologue, and it’s so intricate. He had pages of dialogue that he had to nail, and he nailed it.

I also have to tip my hat to Stephen [Adekolu]. He played the cop. I met him on set. Whenever I watch that scene, I choke up. He comes in as the cop. He commands respect, and he’s only on screen for a few moments. He’s a guy’s guy, like your buddy, and boom, he’s shot. Georgina plays off him, and it really sinks the hook. I also tried to keep Georgina close. It was that cat and mouse game. I wanted to feel her getting closer.

The Horror Lounge: Would you consider doing future horror movies after your experience on this film?

James Preston Rogers: You know what’s great? The horror fans. They’re very similar to wrestling fans. We did the carpet, and there was a line of fans calling out, "James, James." They’re happy to be there and appreciative of your work. You can have a bad day and go to a horror convention, and they embrace you with love. That’s what it’s all about. It’s about loving your neighbor. Do I want to get pigeonholed and do all the masked guys? Sure. [Laughs]. It’s great. It's a beautiful community, and I’m so lucky to be a part of it.

The Horror Lounge: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us, James!

Psycho Killer is currently playing in theaters.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwq8gwdVxts