Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott has made her name in gritty action thrillers like Nemesis and Renegades, but her latest turn in Phil Claydon’s Helloween pushes her into darker territory. As Dr. Ellen Marks, a psychiatrist battling both a notorious killer and her own sense of responsibility, Sothcott delivers a performance that’s equal parts strength and vulnerability.
In our conversation, she described what drew her to the role: “Playing a strong woman, playing a doctor, was a real pull for me. She’s like a Ripley in Alien or Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween. For me, at my age, it’s fantastic to be given such a strong character and such an integral part of the movie.”
Sothcott spoke candidly about the film’s psychological edge, which separates it from the slasher label it has been given in headlines. While comparisons to Terrifier may attract attention, she’s clear that Helloween is less about gore and more about suspense, layered storytelling, and shades of moral gray.
That depth is heightened by the presence of Carl Cane, played by Ronan Summers, a performance Sothcott described as “the Joker meets Hannibal Lecter with a splash of Art the Clown… mesmerizing on screen.” Working opposite such intensity pushed her to fully inhabit Ellen Marks, particularly in the emotionally charged sequences where her character fights to protect her daughters.
Filmed on a microbudget in just nine days, the production tested cast and crew alike. “You have to immerse yourself in it. I literally had PTSD when I finished making that movie,” she admitted, recalling long days in a damp London basement with smoke machines and even mice scurrying underfoot.
Beyond her role in front of the camera, Sothcott is also shaping the UK horror scene behind the scenes. With her husband Jonathan Sothcott, she co-founded Shogun Films, the company producing Helloween. She’s passionate about giving independent films a platform, noting how vital word-of-mouth is in a landscape where big-budget studio projects dominate screens. “There are so many good independent movies out there. It’s people like you who really help to push them,” she said.
Talking with Jeanine, it’s clear she’s not just starring in Helloween—she’s pushing herself and her team to become a voice for independent horror in the UK. Whether or not the film spawns a franchise, Sothcott’s commitment to bold storytelling and amplifying indie voices ensures she’ll continue to be a presence audiences should watch for.
Jessie Hobson