*Ariana DeBose is once again capturing audiences’ attention, this time in the highly anticipated Prime Video psychological horror film “House of Spoils.” From Blumhouse Productions, the film follows DeBose as an ambitious chef opening a new restaurant on a remote estate, where her dreams of culinary success are quickly threatened by internal struggles and a menacing, otherworldly presence.
In an exclusive interview, DeBose opened up about her preparation for the role and the challenges of blending two intense worlds—culinary arts and psychological horror. DeBose shared. “It is a blend of beautiful things. I am a very visual learner, so I combed the internet for videos of what it is like to work in a kitchen… I also took a crash course in kitchen skills with Chef Aisha at Shuquette in Chelsea, New York City. She put me through my paces. Ooh, my feet, my hands—my lower back have never hurt so badly,” she laughed, “and that’s coming from someone who danced very hard for a decade.”
Set in a remote, isolated location, “House of Spoils” takes viewers on a nerve-wracking journey as DeBose’s character, Chef, battles not only the daily pressures of the kitchen but also the chilling realization that a haunting force is sabotaging her every move.
“I think the isolation Chef experiences really adds to the journey,” DeBose said. “When you’re starting a restaurant, everything falls or rises with you. And as a chef, you are the top dog. The film explores that sense of loneliness and pressure, which I think a lot of ambitious people can relate to. It’s part of the horror—being completely alone with your thoughts and decisions and having no one to fall back on.”
Scroll to continue reading
DeBose also drew personal connections to her character’s internal struggles.
“This movie came to me right after a beautiful moment in the sun with “West Side Story,” and I felt a lot of pressure afterward. I’m now an Academy Award winner, and there’s this fear of, ‘What if I’m a fraud?’ I’m naturally ambitious, always trying to better myself, but there are moments when ambition can get the better of you, and you bite off more than you can chew. I definitely identified with Chef’s experience of battling self-doubt and pushing forward.”
Blumhouse, known for its unique brand of suspense and horror, infuses the series with atmospheric tension, blending the high-stakes pressure of running a restaurant with the creeping terror of the unknown. As Chef is haunted by an eerie presence that threatens to sabotage her every effort, viewers are left questioning whether the greater battle is with the supernatural or her own mind.
“House of Spoils” is now available to stream Oct. 3 on Amazon Prime
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. You can follow her on all social media @StilettoJill or check out JillMunroe.com
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Ariana DeBose on Playing ‘Anita’ in ‘West Side Story’ remake
