Amanda Wyss Talks The Id and Tells us What's On Her Mind

Amanda Wyss has fallen in love with Buck Rogers, been killed by Freddy, and saddled up in Silverado. Her latest role in the psychological horror film, The Id, gives her a chance to flex her acting talents. Wyss plays the mentally fragile Meredith Lane, a woman who has watched life pass her by as she takes care of her abusive, ailing father played by Patrick Perduto. Wyss took some time to speak with HorrorBuzz about this new film, reviewed here, and to share what is on the horizon.

HorrorBuzz. When did you first start acting?

Amanda Wyss. When I was eleven I was cast in my first play, The Innocents, by William Archibald. Based on The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. It’s a sort of gothic horror. The following year I played Rhoda in The Bad Seed. As a teenager I did a lot of commercials and my first TV shows.

HB. How did this project come about? Was the part written for you or did you audition for the role?

Wyss. Thommy Hutson, who is an old friend of mine, (Heather introduced us) asked me to read the script with the role of Meridith in mind. I don’t think the role was written for me. I believe they (Thommy and Daniel Farrands) thought of me after the script was finished. Sean H Stewart wrote The Id based on an idea by Thommy.

HB. What is it that drew you to the role of Meridith Lane?

Wyss. When I read the script the first tine I was drawn in by Meridith. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. The story was raw, relentless and frightening. There is so much going on inside Meridith. She’s basically trapped in her home, in her caretaker situation with her father, her life has passed her by. She’s romanticized the past and is losing touch with the present. I wanted to be a part of telling the story. I wanted to bring Meridith to life in that world.

HB. The scenes between Meridith and her Father were particularly intense. What was it like acting with Patrick Perduto?

Wyss. Patrick is such a nice guy. We had a great rapport and working relationship on set. We both dove into our characters as father and daughter. Our scenes were intense to film. I’ve said it before but every scene felt like a shoot out at the OK corral.

HB. Is Meridith crazy? What is that person like? Is there anything you really loved about her as a person, a character?

Wyss. Meridith was fragile to begin with. She didn’t have a strong sense of herself. She’s worn down and worn out by the years of being a shut in and a caretaker. She doesn’t have anyone or anything countering the things her father says and does. I loved her vulnerability and her desire to be seen and loved. That little spark of hope that she clung to in the midst of the madness.

HB. If Meridith had her way, what would have happened to her in the story?

Wyss. I think Meridith wanted love. She wanted to create the caring family that she never had. Probably with Ted.

HB. If Meridith had met Freddy in her dreams, what would she have done? Who would survive?

Wyss. Meridith and Freddy would have been an interesting match. I imagine she would give him a run for his money. After all she survived her father all those years.

HB. Are there any actors, writers or directors that you are dying to work with? Why?

Wyss. Yes. A very eclectic group of people. Too many to name but a few are Quentin Tarantino, Sofia Coppola, Susanne Bier, Helen Mirren, Christian Bale, Robert Eggers …Because their talent inspires me. And it would be pretty great to have an interesting character on The Walking Dead.

HB. Do you keep in touch with your Nightmare family? Who do you just go and have lunch with or hang out with?

Wyss. Wes put together great chemistry as most of us are all still friends…Even the actors from the other Nightmare movies.

HB. Would you ever want to reassemble the Nightmare cast for another project?

Wyss. Heather and I talk about projects we would like to do together. We’re such good friends it would be fun to work together again. I’ve said before that I want to work with Lin Shaye. Robert, too. Lisa Wilcox and I were in a movie this summer, but we weren’t in any scenes together.

HB. What is next for Amanda Wyss?

Wyss. Right now I’m reading scripts looking for a follow up to The Id. The role of Meridith was such a dream role that it has set the bar very high. Beginning of next year I’m filming the movies Catch a Fallen Star and Big Legend. There are a few other projects in the works.

We are excited to see what Wyss pulls off next. If The Id is any indication, she is an actress that is willing to take chances and go to some pretty uncomfortable places in order to connect with the audience.