“There’s a bit of revenge in Her”

Maika Monroe is Patricia Whitmore

You’re playing the President’s daughter. How did the war of ’96 shape your generation?

It changed everything. I lost my mom and that affects Patricia very deeply, especially at that age. But it makes her tougher. There’s a bit of revenge in her, so that was kind of fun to play with.

You began in indie films. How much of a culture shock is it coming onto a film of this scale?

I don’t think it could be more opposite. It was quite bizarre having all this time and the stages and the greenscreen… At first it was a bit intimidating, but then you start really liking it. There’s something quite fun about the greenscreen and having to act everything out like a play.

Who made you laugh most on set?

I’m going to have to go with Jeff. You are constantly entertained with him. Some days you’re shooting for 18 hours and most people would be getting kinda cranky and tired, but Jeff would just keep the energy so high.

You did two horror movies in succession. Now you’ve done two alien invasion films. Are you wary of being pigeonholed?

It happened by chance that The Guest and It Follows came out back to back. I want to do scripts that I love and if they end up being in the same genre then that’s that. I don’t feel too pigeonholed.

Do you think there’s life beyond this planet?

I think there has to be. I don’t think it can just be us. I think they would be friendly.

Can you back that up with science?

I can’t! I’m going with my gut here!