Everybody remembers the final girls in horror movies. You know the ones that get away in the end and defeat the killer, or at least escape. Yeah Horror is filled with them. But there are few in the pantheon of horror that have made as much an impact from being a first kill as Amanda Wyss. You know who she is. She was Freddy Kruger’s very first on-screen kill in the original A Nightmare On Elm Street. Being flung around the room, spraying blood, and under Freddy’s nightmares control, her character Tina, set the tone for the innocence savagely attacked in the movie. HorrorBuzz recently had the chance to speak with Wyss on her career as an icon in horror, as an actress, and what she has planned for the future.

Join us as we celebrate Women in Horror Month with our discussion with Amanda Wyss.

HB: What was your very first movie role?

Amanda Wyss: As a teen my first TV movie was a horror film called THIS HOUSE POSSESSED. My first feature film was Robert Clouse’s Martial Arts action movie, FORCE FIVE.

HB: You played Tina in a Nightmare on Elm Street. Did you have any idea what you were in for in terms of your place in horror history? Being Freddy’s first victim is a pretty big thing.

AW: I love that I got to play Tina. She was such a full of life character, and it was exciting to be the red herring. I had no idea at the time that being Freddy’s first victim would be a huge thing. And as for my death scene…It struck such a chord with audiences. It has been on the Oscars twice. A huge photo of Wes and me filming that scene hung in the Directors Guild. It’s on so many lists. All of the attention surprises me, still.

HB: What was it like on set?

AW: The set of Nightmare was very fun. Focussed and intense, but fun. I had so many creepy things to do. The body bag, eels, worms, centipedes, rotating room. I look back on it all fondly.

HB: What was it like working wth Craven?

AW: Wes was extremely smart and funny. As a director, he was clear about his vision and was able to communicate what he wanted.

HB: Were there any hi-jinks or shenanigans on the set of Nightmare?

AW:  Shenanigans that I can remember. There wasn’t much time for fooling around. It was a tight schedule on a low budget. But we had a great time every morning in the make up trailer listening to Robert’s stories while he was getting made up. He’s quite the raconteur.

HB: Do you still keep in touch with Nancy, Robert, or ay of the others?

AW: Heather and I have been the best of friends since meeting. The rest of us are still in touch, and I see most of the cast a few times a year.

HB: We recently saw The ID. We were blown away by your acting chops. That was a considerably weighty role. Was it difficult to play?

AW: Thank you! The reviews have been very kind. Meridith is my favorite role to date. Sean Stewart wrote such a complex and raw woman who was a dream to play. It was a thrilling challenge to immerse myself in her world and live there for a while. The Id is an uncomfortable, relentless, frightening story that really strikes an emotional nerve with the audience. It’s directed by Thommy Hutson who made The Never Sleep Again documentary. So there’s a Nightmare On Elm Street tie in there. I truly hope everyone checks it out.

HB: Do you think that woman play a vital role in horror? What would you like to see done?

AW:  I think women have a vital role in all film making. It would be fantastic to see more female writers, directors and producers. In all of my years of filming across all genres, I have only worked with 6 female directors. I hope that number increases mightily. There are many women that I would like to work with that I think are making interesting and compelling TV and movies, Karen Kusama, Anna Biller, Jennifer Lynch to name but a few.

HB: What’s your favorite horror flick?

AW: Jaws!! The perfect score. The perfect movie monster. And well, The Id. LOL

HB: Are there any dream projects out there that you are dying to do? (Insert Walking Dead pitch here)

AW: Yes. The Walking Dead! Actually, I should play “Meridith” in an arc on the show and I’d be the scariest person yet. LOL

HB: What’s next for Wyss?

AW: Next I’m filming a movie called Big Legend. I have a few movies coming out. The Capture, The Hatred, and Watcher of Park Ave. The Id definitely set the bar high as far as a great role for a woman. The challenge will be to find another role that good to to sink my teeth into.

It was such an honor to sit and speak with Amanda and we can’t thank her enough for giving us the time. We look forward to more from this prolific talent.