Makenzie Moss chatted about her lead role in Let Us In, based on the urban legend ‘Black Eyed Kids’. It will be available On Digital and On Demand July 2, 2021.
We chatted to Makenzie Moss about her new film Let Us In, directed and co-written by her father, Craig Moss. Read on below for Makenzie’s full interview with Courageous Nerd.
Welcome, Makenzie and thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Makenzie Moss (MM): Thank you for having me, I’m very excited.
Throughout your career thus far, you’ve guest-starred on shows such as CSI and now have a starring role as ‘Emily’ in Let Us In. Going back ever so slightly, how did you first start acting?
MM: Well, I got into it at a very young age, around 4-5. My Dad’s in the industry, he’s a director-writer-producer who wrote and produced this film (Let Us In). He was filming a movie and I have an older sister who was really into acting. She was like, “Dad, I really want to be an actress!” We always watched Disney Channel movies and she wanted to do that.
I was following her, so I was like, “Yeah, I want to do it too!” My Dad put me in a little tiny clip of his movie and I loved it. So then they’re like, “Well why don’t we just get her a manager and put her out on an audition?” In the first audition, I went onto, I booked, which was good. They were like, “Maybe she actually has a shot at this.” I kept continuing auditioning and it turned into this.
Your father Craig Moss, who directed Let Us In, also co-wrote the script with Joe Callero. How was your experience of working with your Dad and bringing his words to life?
MM: It was easier than other projects I’ve done because I know his voice and I’m with him all the time. I know how he wants his lines and he knew he didn’t have to sugar-coat anything when he’s giving line directions or useful tips. I feel like it was easier because I knew what he wanted.
How would you describe Emily, your character in Let Us In? How similar or different is she compared to other characters you’ve played?
MM: It’s definitely different than everything I’ve ever done. I’ve done other roles that have the same confidence, but nothing compared to this character. She’s this badass protagonist character and doesn’t let people tell her what to do.
For anyone who may be unfamiliar with Let Us In, what is the premise?
MM: It’s about this girl who’s in middle school, going into high school. She’s kind of getting bullied and didn’t really have a lot of friends. It’s based on this urban legend called the Black-eyed kids where people abduct adolescents and take them to God knows where. She notices all these kids she knows, her friends, go missing. She’s the one who has to figure it out and becomes the hero at the end of it.
Among your many talented cast mates on the film is Tobin Bell, known for his iconic role as John Kramer/Jigsaw in the Saw franchise. How familiar were you with Tobin going into Let Us In?
MM: I did know that he played Jigsaw and I was very excited to work with him. He was so great, so nice. Every single line, he memorised. Every line, he never messed up. I was very impressed, very professional. He was really fun to work with.
Where can people expect to see Let Us In once it has been released?
MM: It will be available on Netflix, Fandango and theatres. Also on Amazon and any streaming device. Google Play, anywhere you can get a movie, it’s there. July 2nd!
What would you want to tease about Let Us In before it is officially out?
MM: I would say it’s kind of along the lines of Goonies, the same genre. It’s very exciting. I’ve never seen a movie like this with kids my age. Also, I think its really exciting, cool and there’s a lot of different age groups in this movie. I think it’s something different than I’ve seen.
Professionally or personally, what do you hope to accomplish with the rest of 2021?
MM: I’d say… I’d kind of want to see where the year takes me. I don’t have any extreme goals. I’m really excited to see where this movie will go. I’m really looking forward to seeing how it will play out. I don’t have any specific things I want to do, I feel like it’ll come when it comes.
What was your favourite part of making Let Us In?
MM: I would say working with my Dad was my favourite part. I love being with him. I think it was very fun being comfortable also with your Dad being there. You feel at home, even when you’re in the middle of nowhere in the woods.
Thanks for taking the time, Makenzie. Take care and stay safe!
MM: Thank you so much! You too, stay safe from COVID and everything, I’ve had a lot of fun on this interview.