'Hostel' - Jay Hernandez Q&A

Chris Tilly catches up with the up-and-coming actor on the set of Eli Roth's new horror flick.

Mar 20 2006

Jay Hernandez made his name in teen movies like 'Crazy/Beautiful', 'The Rookie' and 'Friday Night Lights'. He's now made the transition to horror in 'Hostel', writer-director Eli Roth's forthcoming flick about the ultimate backpacking holiday from hell. The TOMB caught up with Hernandez on the Prague set of the movie to discuss his role.

How did you first hear about the movie?

I was finishing up an independent film called 'Carlito: The Beginning', in New York. My agent sent me Eli's script, I read it, and it was so edgy – it just pushed everything to the limit. It was a great read, and the sex and the violence was as far as you could possibly go with it. So my agent set up a meeting with Eli and we sat down and talked. When you sit down with him for a couple of minutes you can understand his personality – he's really cool and kind of eccentric and I could tell he wanted to do something special with it. He has a vision and he wants to make a film that will set a new benchmark. That will change the face of horror.

What set the script apart?

It was just so different – it was like two films in one. The first twenty, thirty pages you think you know what's going on – these guys are partying and having fun – then it takes a dramatic turn and goes south real fast. It gets real violent and real bloody. It's going to freak people out and shock them, but that's what you want. You want to be unique and different and you want to make a statement.

So it's not your typical horror movie?

It's not typical at all. It's not the fucking monster that you can't kill for whatever reason. There's more of a touch of reality here.

What's Eli like as a director?

He definitely knows what he wants. He writes the scripts and obviously knows how it looks in his mind and tries to accomplish that, He's very efficient, has a sharp schedule and keeps things moving. Before we come in he knows exactly what shots he wants to get, which is kind of unique.

Can you tell me a bit about your character, Paxton?

He's a party guy – he loves having a good time. Paxton and Josh [played by Derek Richardson in the film] went to school together and are best friends. They've just finished college and they're about to go to grad school, so this is their time to really let loose and experience things like drugs and women. They want to have a memorable experience – something they will never forget – and Paxton is ready, willing and able to do everything he can in Europe.

Do you think that Josh and Paxton are a good representation of young Americans abroad?

Yes (laughs) I think a lot of times that seems to be the case. I've seen Americans out here and that's what they seem to be doing. They come out here to party and get trashed – it's not everybody, but there's a good number who come out here to do that.

What's been the best day of the shoot so far?

The day outside the club in Amsterdam has probably been the most fun – we get kicked out, we're shouting at people in the line, Josh kind of loses his mind and I'm laughing at him. That was a really fun, light-hearted day, certainly as opposed to the torture stuff we did yesterday. That was really hard and just left me drained.

So was that your most difficult day then?

Definitely, filming those horrific scenes is just so intense. And I've got worse to come!

How do you think the film will be received?

The idea is that people will go in and then at the end walk out of the movie saying 'Dude, don't go see this fucking movie'. I think people are going to want to see it, but I think they'll also be surprised by how hard and intense it gets.

'Hostel' is released on Friday.

• 
•