With a name like Organ Trail, viewers most likely expect a gnarly bloodbath reminiscent of every millennial’s favorite video game from childhood. But, director Michael Patrick Jann and writer Meg Turner opt for a different route with their bloody horror western. While not campy and gross, it’s much more somber, a harrowing look at one girl’s desperate struggle for survival.
Abigale and her family fall victim to a ruthless gang while making their way across the Oregon Trail. As the only survivor, she will do whatever it takes to retrieve her one earthly possession, her family’s horse, from the clutches of the bloodthirsty bandits
Zoe De Grand Maison took up the challenge to play Abigale, traveling to a freezing cold Montana to film on location. Inspired by Abigale’s harrowing story, De Grand Maison dove into the role and faced the filming challenges head-on.
Dread Central spoke with De Grand Maison about dealing with the Montana cold while filming, working with horses, and more.
Zoe De Grand Maison: Well, I mean, I wouldn’t say it was as grueling. I didn’t get kidnapped in real life and my whole family wasn’t killed. But it was freezing. It was so cold.
ZDGM: Definitely, it was definitely as cold as it looked. And yet the wardrobe was surprisingly warm, but then we had things like exposed ears and thin little boots. It was a little challenging, but we managed to make it work and had fun doing it.
ZDGM: No, they had a stunt double. I think that was a legal thing. They had a super well-trained professional diver. Thank goodness because I would’ve freaked out. I mean, I probably would’ve done it because I’m an idiot. But the ice over the lake was so thick, so you can imagine how cold the water would’ve been. Everybody gave a standing ovation to the diver at the end of their stunt because that’s insane. It was so cold. I dunno how they did it.
ZDGM: So we actually did a pickup in Los Angeles a few months later in the director’s backyard in the pool for when you see my face coming out of the water. I forgot about that. That was the only time we cheated. <laugh>
ZDGM: I mean, just, you know, your classic audition. <laugh> I did have a lot of fun with the tape though. I put fake dirt all over my face and made myself look super tired and like I’d gone through it. That was a lot of fun, and the character was a lot of fun too. I feel like Abby’s like this really strong and brave and independent heroine and you don’t see that a lot. Plus, you know, the time and setting of the film were really unique. So I was stoked when I got the call saying that they wanted me to play her. It was lots of fun.
ZDGM: Honestly, if you had met these horses, you wouldn’t be afraid of them anymore. They were the most well-behaved horses I’ve ever encountered. I grew up riding Western, so I was really comfortable. It was a lot of fun to do that again and to get back in the saddle. <laugh> And the horses are amazing. I also just think that they’re, to me, very calming presences. You can bond with them very easily. And I don’t know, we had these amazing horse wranglers who were incredible. Like these horses, they never tried to eat when you were riding. They were so calm and well-behaved. I don’t understand. I’ve never witnessed anything like it. I feel like the horses I was riding as a kid were dragging me everywhere.
ZDGM: These Montana horses though. I don’t know. Something in the water or something.
ZDGM: Oh, it was lovely. Sam’s so great. He’s so sweet. He’s like the most normal guy, you know? He just makes me feel very at ease and welcome. And he’s not intimidating in any way. So it was, yeah, it was really fun to work with him and he crushed it. He did such a good job.
ZDGM: He’s a calm villain, you know? And I feel like that calmness is almost scarier.
ZDGM: Honestly, no. I do like a psychological thriller. I like something that gets in your head and lingers with you for a few days after you’ve watched it. I find those movies really fascinating. I’m typically not a gore fan. If it’s really realistic, like torture, I can’t do that. That’s like,
And I have a friend who was the little girl in Saw. But I was like, “Sorry, I’m not gonna [watch it], I can’t. <laugh> Like, I accidentally watched one of the hostile movies and I don’t think I slept well for two years after that. <laugh> There’s even a scene in this movie and I don’t wanna give it away, but I had to shut my eyes watching. But, it is fun to be in horror movies.
ZDGM: It’s fascinating. And there’s so much artistry that goes into it. Like watching hair and makeup do their thing. Do I wanna see the final product? Not necessarily. I mean, with this movie I did. <laugh>
ZDGM: That’s a good question. You’d think I would remember. Maybe I just blocked it out because it was so traumatizing. Honestly, I think Hostel was the first one that really messed me up. Oh! Maybe it was Disturbia.
ZDGM: And even Viola Davis is in it as a cop for two seconds, which is crazy. She’s my absolute favorite.
ZDGM: Yeah. For like two seconds. She shows up and you’re like, “Wait, what?” I rewatched it recently. But I was terrified. I was like, “Somebody’s gonna break into my house and kidnap my mom.” I was just not sleeping well for a long time after I saw that movie. But after rewatching it, I thought, “It’s not that bad.”<laugh>
Organ Trail comes to digital on May 12, 2023.