Exclusive Interview: Fiona Dourif Talks Precious Mettle, Working With Paul Sorvino, Growing Up With Chucky and Much More

Fiona Dourif is a talented young actress who was raised in the horror movie industry with her father, Brad Dourif, owning the iconic voice of Chucky from the Child's Play film series. Fiona has also dared to enter the horror genre with roles as a witch named Casey in the highly popular television series True Blood and in the upcoming horror film Curse of Chucky. The actress can also be seen in the upcoming mystery thriller Precious Mettle in one of her most challenging roles yet.

We were able to chat with Fiona Dourif recently to ask her about growing up in the home of Chucky and how she first started acting. Fiona also discusses some of her most popular roles, why fans will want to check out her upcoming films and if Eric Northman is the hottest vampire around. Ladies, you will definitely want to read on for the full details in this interview.

AMANDA DYAR: First off, can you tell us a little about your role in the upcoming crime thriller Precious Mettle and how you got involved with the film?

FIONA DOURIF: My role, I play a heroine addict, and I go through withdrawal to try to get my life together. The script just kind of came across my desk, and I loved the role. It was really challenging with a lot of places to go. I auditioned for it, and they said yes.

AMANDA: The film also stars Paul Sorvino, who is known for his roles in Goodfellas and Law & Order. How was working with him and do you have any interesting stories from your time together?

FIONA: We had fun, and we laughed a lot which doesn’t always happen. Do I have any interesting stories? I don’t know. He is a generous actor, and he makes sure he always stands in and make the other person’s coverage more official. I am a big fan of Paul.

AMANDA: You have mentioned in previous interviews that you drew from your own teenage experiences for your character Judy. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

FIONA: Not really, I dabbled. I was a very stupid and rebellious teenager. So, I dabbled in gateway drugs and stuff. And, yeah I know what it felt like to be high, and I think that is how I used that.

AMANDA: Well you will also be joining the cast of Curse of Chucky alongside your father, Brad Dourif, who returns as the voice of Chucky. Can you tell us a little bit about your character in the upcoming movie and how was working with your father on the new film?

FIONA: I basically didn’t work with my father since my father plays the voice of Chucky. I went up to Winnipeg for six weeks and my character is a paraplegic who has lost her family. She finally starts to discover that the doll may be responsible. It was a really, really good script. The Curse of Chucky was a really strong script, and I think we made a really good movie. I only worked with my dad briefly which was very weird. He was the voice of the guy trying to kill me, so it was bizarre and really, really great.

AMANDA: Your father has stated before that you was trying to avoid being an actress. Why was this and what finally drew you into the world of acting?

FIONA: I didn’t want to be an actress, because I had been around that lifestyle my whole life. So, I just thought I wanted to be more serious or some stupid thing. I think what changed it was I was 22 or so and I had this exercise. I was up on stage performing, and when you're doing it well, it is the most exhilarating thing in the world. It just feels like the most alive you can be or something, and I decided I am going to try and do that.

AMANDA: Growing up, Chucky and Freddy Krueger were big horror icons to me as a child. How was your own childhood, with growing up with a dad who was the voice of Chucky and did you actually own a Good Guy Doll? Because the doll was somewhat similar to Hasbro's "My Buddy Doll" released in 1985 and the "Kid Sister" one. I owned those dolls, and after watching the Child's Play films--I remember being hell a scared of them then. (laughter)

FIONA: Cool, cool that’s the point. (laughter) You know a terrible secret is that I can’t usually watch horror movies, because I get too scared. I am a big scaredy cat. But, I didn’t see the Chucky films to well into my twenties. I thought it was really cool that I was the daughter of Chucky or the seed of Chucky. My birthday is the day before Halloween, so Chucky would make an appearance at my birthday parties when I was ten and stuff. And my dad still has a Good Doll in the house, and it is very cool. I really want a Good Guy Doll, see if I can get my hands on one. (laughter)

AMANDA: Why do you think The Child's Play series and Chucky have been so iconic in the horror industry? I mean, if you are a horror fan, you automatically are familiar with Chucky. Alongside Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, and Michael Myers.

FIONA: Right, you know, I think it hangs on something that is profoundly frightening, you know. Like fear of children and fear that you are not doing a good job or something. It hits people in someplace that is sort of inexplicable or subliminal. Also, I will say this, I think Don Mancini is a great writer and they tend to be smart movies.

AMANDA: You were saying you were not a big horror fan, so what kind of movies do you actually watch?

FIONA: I watch all kinds of movies. My boyfriend took me to watch the movie The Evil Dead, and I couldn’t look at the screen for more than ten minutes collectively. So it is gore that I can’t watch so much. Paul Thomas Anderson is one of my favorite directors. One of the best movies I ever seen was Michael Leigh’s Naked with David Thewlis I think it was. You know what I thought was incredible was Hanika and Greg Pritikin’s Dummy was hilarious.

AMANDA: Well as an actress, do you have anyone that inspires you or that you look to?

FIONA: You know what, Maggie Gyllenhaal in the Secretary. I looked at the performance and thought I would love to do that! I thought that performance was pretty damn incredible. So, that is definitely one of them. Juliette Lewis is incredible. I will stay with those two at the moment. When you see someone being completely free on screen can be extremely moving.

AMANDA: Back to Precious Mettle, how does it differ from all of the other roles you have done and why should horror/thriller fans go see it when it releases?

FIONA: It is a mystery and it leaves a lot of clues for you. How is it different? It is the hardest role I have ever attempted. It was so difficult and was such a demanding part. I think it has interesting plot twists that hopefully people won’t see coming. It can be a lot of fun.

AMANDA: One last question; you were also a recurring guest on True Blood as the witch Casey. There was a scene were the coven was confronted by the vampire Eric Northman played by Alexander Skarsgard. How was that experience, and frankly, was Alexander as hot in person as all the female viewers hope he is?

FIONA: Yes, he is. (laughter) He has a very tall and beautiful figure. I don’t think we had a scene together--he had a walkthrough in a scene I was in. So, I never got to know him, but True Blood is great and lots of fun to be on. I was thrilled to be on it. 

To learn more, make sure to "Like" Precious Mettle and Curse of Chucky on Facebook,  "Follow" Fiona Dourif on Twitter, and visit the official Precious Mettle website.