Mick Ignis is a prolific character actor who you may have seen in the popular Harry Potter short “Serverus Snape in the Marauders”. His latest works include several demons on the hit IFC show “Stan Against Evil”.
I had a chance to catch up with him to talk about his latest movie project that will air on the SyFy channel October 14th 9pm/8 CT called “The Sandman” .
AQ: Hey Mick! thanks for talking with us. Tell us about your upcoming project “The Sandman”? What is it about?
MI: “The Sandman” follows a young girl named Madison (Shae Smolik) who has a powerful and uncontrollable ability to manifest a murderous, supernatural guardian whenever she feels fear. After being taken in by her aunt Claire (Haylie Duff), Madison becomes the target of an agency, lead by a shady character called Valentine (Tobin Bell), looking to use The Sandman for their own gain. It’s a terrifying introduction to this new horror monster that I can’t wait to unleash on audiences.
AQ: How did you get involved in this project?
MI: I was recommended to the film’s writer/director Peter Sullivan by my good friends George Troester and Cig Neutron, who’s studio TroTron FX, handled the creature effects for “The Sandman“. I met with Peter at his office to discuss the role and we immediately had a blast talking about the script and all the terrifying directions we could take the character in. Peter is clearly a huge fan of the genre and managed to create a character that resonates the energy of past horror icons while bringing something completely new and horrific to the table. I was already excited about the project when I first read the script, but that excitement continued to grow after every shot we got in the can. As horror nerds, this was a dream film for us all.
Photo Credit The Sandman
AQ: Did you have any creative input into the final look of your character?
MI: The creatures look was all the work of the talented FX team who designed him. Creature concept artist Adam Milicevic did some amazing designs of “The Sandman” and the suit really came together with the sculpt and finishing texture that truly gave the appearance of a being made from dark sand. The added visual effects that complete the characters transformations will be the icing on the cake.
I noticed that it was executive produced by Stan Lee. Did you ever get to meet him on set?
I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Stan, but I hope to soon! I’ve been a HUGE Marvel fan since I was a comic book devouring child, so I just about lost my mind after finding out that Stan signed on as Executive Producer of the film. It’s beyond an honor to share a project with someone who’s work has had such a profound effect on my life.
AQ: What was the casting process like for this movie?
MI: This being such a small community, so many of the roles that come my way are by referral. Which I’m grateful for, as I (like many actors) HATE auditioning. I had worked with George on several projects before this and have been good friends with him and Cig for years, so we already had a strong working relationship. For creature roles like this, having a strong team around the character is essential. I’m playing The Sandman, but it’s the entire fx team that truly brings him to life. It’s a very collaborative effort.
Photo Credit The Sandman
AQ: What was the makeup process like when suiting up for your scenes?
MI: This project was MUCH easier on me than others I’ve been on. The suit and mask were custom sculpted to my body cast, so I have an excellent range of movement with it. It takes two people about 20 minutes to get me in the suit and pop on the mask. Significantly less than the hours spent gluing me in to prosthetics!
AQ: Tell me a little more about your acting background. Where did you get your start? Did you always want to be an actor?
MI: I feel like, while I didn’t have the confidence to be an actor until my early 20s, I was always finding some way in which to tell stories. I started in entertainment as a stop-motion animator on shows like “Robot Chicken” and “Moral Orel“, where my focus was on studying movement and transferring that over to the puppets I was pushing around. That itself is a sort of acting performance. While I loved animation, it didn’t feel like THE thing I was meant to be doing with my life, so I took what I loved most about the animation process and furthered it by going to school for acting and makeup artistry. Playing monsters wasn’t my initial pursuit but, with my physicality and connection to the makeup fx world, it was an inevitable path and I love the diverse range of characters I’ve been able to portray.
Photo Credit The Sandman
AQ: How did the practical fx make up come into play with your acting career? Was there some intensive training involved?
MI: The first person to really start throwing me under prosthetics was my fx teacher Rob Burman and I took to it quickly. From there, I worked at a studio called Amalgamated Dynamics, where veteran fx artist Alec Gillis cast me in projects like “The Evil Within” and “Harbinger Down”. This being such a small industry, word traveled fast between FX studios and film producers and I’ve been steadily building up my rogues gallery ever since. There wasn’t any specific training for this, just experience and learning more and more from each role.
AQ: You came from a theater background. Do you think you would go back to it?
MI: I absolutely would! I love performing on stage. It’s a completely different feeling from doing something for film and the immediate audience response is intoxicating. It’s a bit of a time commitment but, if the right role opportunity came along, I would definitely jump back in to doing a theater production.
AQ: Which do you prefer TV /movies or the stage?
MI: In a perfect world, I’d be performing on stage whenever I’m not shooting on film. Being an actor for movies and television will always be my dream and number one priority, but live performance is something I’ll always be passionate about. I get a bit of that feeling from dressing up and performing at conventions, but nothing beats a well-oiled stage production.
AQ: One of the big things we know you from is “Severus Snape and the Marauders”. Rumor has it that it’s developing a possible sequel. What can you tell us about that?
MI: The rumors are true! As “Severus Snape and The Marauders” closes in at 3 million views, the entire cast has decided to reunite to keep the story going with “The Great Wizarding War”. This will be a new medium for me, as we’ll be telling this ambitious magical war story as a 12-part radio play series. I’ve read the first few episodes and, if you thought the stakes and intensity was high in the film, just wait to hear what’ll be unleashed in this tale set in one of the wizarding worlds most dangerous times. I’m very excited to jump back in to playing Snape and take his story down this spiral. We’ll be announcing more details about the project soon!
John C. McGinley, Mick Ignis -Photo Credit Kim Simms/IFC
AQ: We also have seen you as that awesome goat demon in “Stan Against Evil”! What was it like working on that show!
MI: “Stan Against Evil” is one of the greatest joys in my career and I’m beyond grateful to series creator Dana Gould for bringing me on. I’ve now portrayed 4 different demons plaguing Willard’s Mill, which has given me a lot to play with. The entire cast is an absolute joy to work with and the show is only getting better as the blend of horror, comedy, and heart finds its perfect balance. It’s great to work on a show that has so much love and respect for monster characters. Rather than just being a “be scary from Point A to Point B” sort of production, the creatures really drive the story forward and give me something good to dig in to. And getting to fight John McGinley each summer doesn’t suck!
AQ: We’ve seen you in many forms. You are a great chameleon. We can never tell what you will show up in next. What’s your favorite character you have portrayed so far?
MI: It is SO hard to pick one character that I’ve enjoyed the most. Every one of them has been a different game. For Stan, the Baphomet is definitely close to my heart after seeing his scowling face around LA on bus stop posters and billboards (at the moment I’m wearing him as a lapel pin!). There’s a character I play in the season 2 finale that had such a fun, sinister personality to play with (and possibly one of my favorite kills in my career), so she’s definitely up there in my faves. Tomorrow night I’ll be seeing The Sandman for the first time and that’s going to be a majorly impactful experience, as it’s the first film I’ve been featured in to this extent. I don’t know…I’m terrible at picking favorites. I don’t really have favorites!
AQ: During the San Diego Comic Con you showed up in a wild WAHLUIGI cosplay. Do you always go dressed up to cons and what are some of your greatest costumes?
MI: Waluigi was something my buddy Cig and I have been talking about doing for YEARS! I saw a previous Wario makeup he did on himself and was immediately like, “dude, PLEASE do that again and turn me in to Waluigi so we can cause some chaos at Comic Con!”. He and Rannie Rodil did an amazing job putting the character together. Nintendo really loved it and it got a great viral response. This was my fourth year of doing these crazy, massive cosplay projects. In the past I’ve been Apocalypse, Thanos, The Vulture…now I’m looking for ways to raise the bar higher for next year! They’re a unique sort of “live theater” opportunity and I have a great time spending the day interacting with convention guests in character.
AQ: Do you have any advice for new actors wanting to do what you do?
MI: I’m all about character study. Get to know your characters as best you can. Learn what makes them tick, what their backstory is, why they do what they do. And remember to enjoy yourself. Be kind and supportive to those you work with. This is a hard and often times painful industry to navigate (I’m definitely still learning) so, if you’re not having fun doing what you love on set, what’s the point?!
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Few films capture the intersection of holiday cheer and sheer terror quite like Michael Dougherty’s Krampus (2015). This darkly comedic horror film blends yuletide traditions with chilling folklore, delivering a festive nightmare that has cemented its status as a must-watch for horror enthusiasts during the holiday season.
Krampus draws on the Alpine legend of the titular creature—a sinister counterpart to Santa Claus who punishes those who lose their holiday spirit. When young Max (Emjay Anthony) renounces Christmas after a disastrous family gathering, he unwittingly summons Krampus and his terrifying minions to wreak havoc on his dysfunctional household. What ensues is a tense, darkly funny fight for survival against supernatural forces.
Why Horror Fans Should Watch
1. A Unique Spin on Holiday Horror
Krampus delivers a refreshing take on Christmas movies by replacing syrupy sentimentality with macabre humor and genuine scares. The film skillfully balances a grim tone with absurdity, making it a rare gem in the holiday-horror genre.
2. Stunning Practical Effects
Dougherty’s background in creature design (Trick ‘r Treat) shines through with Krampus’ menacing appearance and his army of nightmarish toys and demonic elves. The practical effects and atmospheric set pieces add a tactile, old-school charm that horror purists will appreciate.
3. Social Commentary with a Darkly Comic Edge
Beneath the terror lies a biting critique of consumerism and familial dysfunction, themes that horror fans often relish for their depth. The film uses its scares and laughs to explore how easily the holiday spirit can be lost in modern times.
4. A Standout Cast
With performances from Toni Collette, Adam Scott, and David Koechner, the ensemble brings comedic timing and emotional resonance to their flawed, relatable characters. Their journey from bickering chaos to desperate unity adds weight to the terror unfolding around them.
5. A Memorable Monster Movie Ending
Without spoiling too much, Krampus ends on a note that is equal parts chilling and thought-provoking, leaving audiences questioning the true meaning of Christmas—and their survival instincts.
Krampus is a delightful addition to any horror fan’s Christmas lineup. Its mix of dark humor, folklore-inspired scares, and holiday critique makes it an instant classic that stands apart from more traditional holiday fare. If you’re tired of saccharine Christmas movies and want something with bite (and maybe a little blood), Krampus is the gift that keeps on giving.
No Spoilers
In the modern world of horror with its ubiquitous jump scares and ultra-violence it’s nice to discover a quiet horror. A horror that is in fact barely a horror at all, this is Laurence Vannicelli’s; Mother May I?
The horrors genre’s nihilistic poster boy, the talented: Kyle Gallner stars as Emmett; the not-really bereft son of recently deceased Tracy (Robin Winn Moore). We find out that, although Tracy and Emmett had been estranged for many years, Tracy left Emmett her rather impressive country house in upstate New York. Emmett and his poet girlfriend (Holland Roden) travel to stay in the house after dumping Tracy’s ashes unceremoniously into a nearby lake. Emmett’s quip about Tracy now being ‘fish food’ should give you some idea about how he feels towards his late mother.
Tracy’s house, though beautiful and roomy, is filled with her possessions and memorabilia from her youth as a ballerina. Emmett wants to sell the house as quickly as possible despite Anya’s suggestion of turning it into some kind of artists’ retreat.
Emmett and Anya seem to be having relationship issues, despite being in it for the long haul and wanting to start a family. This apparent dysfunction is either mediated or compounded by Anya’s insistence on psychological ‘games’ suggested by her therapist’s mother. In these games, Anya and Emmett sit across the table from one another and each pretends to be the other person by switching seats. This is to try and better understand their partner. These scenes make for some pretty intense moments with the camera pulled right up to the actor’s face.
After one of these ‘sessions,’ the couple makes yet another excellent decision by indulging in magic mushrooms while emotionally unstable and in unfamiliar surroundings. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that this goes horribly wrong.
While high Anya tries on the cast of Tracy’s face hanging above the fireplace. It is at this moment Anya becomes Tracy. Is this another mind game or a genuine possession? This state lasts longer than the hallucinogens should. Anya even ends up wearing Tracy’s clothes and makeup despite not being a makeup wearer herself. Anya even re-pierces her ears to wear the earrings that were found on Tracy’s corpse.
The rest of the film explores the Freudian nightmare in which Emmett finds himself.
What’s Good…
The acting is fantastic. Gallner, as always, brings his vulnerable intensity to the role. It’s interesting to the character of Emmett regress as his childhood (literally) comes back to haunt him.
I didn’t appreciate Emmett psycho analyzing Anya by saying she calls herself a writer but is actually just a “frustrated copywriter” (jeez movie just @ me next time!). The movie is extremely atmospheric and refreshingly quiet (I could literally hear my cat snoring at points). Expertly building tension so that you are constantly scanning the background to spot what might be hiding behind the corner of the seemingly pleasant house.
What Could Be Improved…
I love a slow burn as much as the next person but I couldn’t help but feel the movie could have upped the creep factor more. Tracy as a ballerina could have been utilized more to give her ‘ghost’ inhuman movements. I can understand why many critics described Mother May I as a horror, light on the horror.
As many horrors do, the movie lost a lot of its during the third act. Subtlety is one thing but the film does leave many questions unanswered and kind of loses itself in its own metaphor.
Despite this Mother May I is an interesting meander into the realm of real-world horror. A good watch for a cosy evening maybe just not with a snoring cat!
Three stars.
Rating: 3.5/5
Disney’s highly anticipated sequel Moana 2 has returned audiences to the Pacific’s breathtaking animated landscapes. While the film offers stunning visuals that surpass its predecessor, its storyline and music struggle to match the charm and originality of the first installment.
The animation is a standout, with vivid depictions of Polynesian culture and oceanic beauty. Critics have praised its artistry, describing it as “breathtaking” and “awe-inspiring”.
Moana’s dynamic with Maui remains compelling. Their camaraderie, humor, and emotional depth provide many of the movie’s best moments.
The addition of Moana’s sister, Simea, adds a fresh layer to the story, with her character described as a “scene-stealer”.
The music, now composed by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, lacks the enduring appeal of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s iconic tracks from the original. While some songs are fun, they don’t have the same magic.
The plot divides attention across a larger ensemble of characters, leading to a slightly scattered narrative that doesn’t achieve the emotional resonance of the first film.
Moana 2 is a worthy sequel in its own right, offering an enjoyable ride for families and fans of the original. However, it feels more like a beautifully animated follow-up than a groundbreaking continuation. The film’s visuals and central character dynamics carry it, even as its story and soundtrack fall short of the unforgettable heights set by its predecessor.
Moana 2 is a fun return to the ocean, but its heart isn’t quite as vibrant as the original voyage.
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