There are interviews where you stick to the beats, hit the runtime, and move on. Then there are interviews where you realize about ten minutes in that you could talk about movies for hours and still not scratch the surface. Talking with Rae Dawn Chong very quickly became the latter.
Known for iconic work across decades in films like Commando, The Color Purple, Quest for Fire, and Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, Chong brings a lived-in confidence and an infectious honesty that feels increasingly rare. Her role in Paul Boyd’s horror comedy Scared to Death may be brief, but her presence carries weight, both onscreen and in conversation.
When asked what drew her to a film that knowingly walks the tightrope between horror and comedy, Chong’s answer was refreshingly simple and deeply personal.
“I’m just lucky my dear, dear, dear friend is the producer Eric Barrett,” she explained. “He called me one day and just out of the blue and said, ' Hey, I’m doing this movie, and there’s this part it’s producer, and you come in and you just swan in swan out, would you do me a favor? '”
She laughed as she described reading the script, immediately saying yes, and even deciding her wardrobe before stepping on set. For Chong, Scared to Death was less about genre and more about trust.
“I work now at this point in my career from a place of love and support and fun.”
That mindset fits Scared to Death perfectly. The film leans into its absurdity while still respecting the mechanics of fear, a balance Chong articulated beautifully when discussing performance in heightened genres.
She recalled asking a friend to press Mike Myers for the secret to comedy, only to get a deceptively simple answer.
“Tell her set up and deny. That’s the golden key,” Chong said. “And I think it applies to horror. Set it up and then the actors just deny the setup.”
It is a philosophy that feels baked into Scared to Death, where the environment screams danger while the characters often barrel forward in blissful ignorance. Chong sees value in letting the situation do the work.
“Set up the environment and then be unaware of what the environment is, but be in it. And then whatever comes out of it is what is the gold.”
Despite her comfort working in horror, Chong is selective as a viewer. She admitted she does not actively seek the genre and has firm boundaries when it comes to extreme gore.
“I can’t really stomach like a Saw or a Hostile movie,” she said. “That’s what I call gore porn.”
Psychological horror, however, is another story, and Scared to Death sits comfortably in that space for her. While she joked that she usually keeps the lights on, she also revealed a deeply personal relationship with the unknown.
“I do believe in ghosts, and I do believe that we’re multidimensional beings,” Chong said. “I feel pretty much like a badass witch.”
That intuition also extends to her work choices. Chong spoke candidly about avoiding projects that feel dark for the wrong reasons, trusting her instincts when something feels off.
On set, that intuition translated into a collaborative and supportive environment. She praised director Paul Boyd’s leadership and the communal spirit that often comes with lower-budget filmmaking.
“It’s a great set. It’s a really fun set. Everybody gets input. Not to the point of being annoying, but he’s really, really smart and he’s a good leader.”
She also spoke fondly about watching younger performers find their footing, noting how important it is to encourage emerging talent. One of her favorite stories involved a moment she barely remembered, but one that left a lasting impression on someone else.
“Christian Bale turned to me and said, ' Do you know when I was 12 years old, you walked up to me and said I was going to be a really big movie actor.”
Chong laughed, recalling the Empire of the Sun afterparty, but the story underscored something central to her outlook. She enjoys witnessing potential, what she jokingly refers to as the rizz.
“Not everybody has the rizz,” she said. “And you don’t want to be mean about it, but not everybody has the rizz.”
As she reflected on her career today, Chong spoke honestly about aging in the industry and the shifting challenges that come with it. At this stage, the work is less about visibility and more about alignment.
“I like to work with adults and people who are formed whole and who are creative,” she said. “I have the luxury of being able to manifest really good filmmakers.”
That perspective feels earned, not jaded. It comes from decades of experience, countless sets, and a genuine love for storytelling.
And yes, if we are being honest, there may have been a small ulterior motive behind the interview. Somewhere out there, my friend Cory, a massive Arnold Schwarzenegger and Commando fan, was absolutely losing his mind knowing I got to talk to Rae Dawn Chong about film. Worth it.
Scared to Death benefits from Chong’s energy, even in a swan-in-swan-out role. Her contribution is another reminder that genre films thrive when seasoned performers bring intention, generosity, and a sense of play.
Talking with Rae Dawn Chong felt less like an interview and more like sitting down with someone who genuinely loves the medium. We could have kept going for hours. Honestly, next time, we probably should.
Jessie Hobson