Ella Purnell Reveals the Film That Put Her Off Horror for Good
Ella Purnell, star of acclaimed sci-fi and streaming series, opens up about her aversion to horror films after a childhood viewing of The Shining, and shares details about her upcoming projects.
With the arrival of Fallout’s second series on Prime Video, fans of video game adaptations have plenty to celebrate as the festive season approaches. Ella Purnell, who has become a familiar face in the world of science fiction and streaming, continues to impress with her performances. In just five years, the London-born actor has established herself as a leading figure in the genre, not only through her work on Fallout but also across a range of other much-talked-about productions.
Fallout has quickly become the most highly regarded live-action adaptation of a video game to date, surpassing the likes of The Last of Us, Twisted Metal, and Halo. Purnell’s talents extend beyond this, as she lends her voice to ‘Jinx’ in the celebrated animated series Arcane, sharing the cast with Hailee Steinfeld. Her role in the teen thriller Yellowjackets, which has enjoyed three successful series, further cements her status as a key player in television aimed at younger audiences.
From Sci-Fi Success to Dark Comedy
Looking ahead, Purnell is set to return in the second series of Sweetpea, a dark comedy she not only stars in but also produces for Sky. The show follows a young woman with a seemingly ordinary job who develops a rather disturbing fascination with murder. The series is known for its intense and occasionally bloody scenes, which might come as a surprise given Purnell’s well-known aversion to horror.
Despite her involvement in projects with dark themes, Purnell has admitted to a deep-seated fear of horror films, a sentiment she attributes to an early encounter with a classic of the genre. Speaking to Bafta, she recalled:
“One film that I definitely shouldn’t have watched at a young age was (1981 Stanley Kubrick shocker) The Shining. I remember I went to a girl’s sleepover and I was like, ‘Finally (I’m) invited to the cool kids sleepover,’ and then the really, really cool girl put on The Shining and all the other cool girls were watching and I was just like… (does terrified face).”
The Shining’s Lasting Impact
It’s hard to argue with her reaction. The Shining remains a masterclass in psychological terror, featuring a descent into madness set within the eerie isolation of a snowbound hotel. The film’s unsettling imagery—blood-filled corridors, grotesque apparitions, and those infamous twins—has left a lasting impression on many viewers, Purnell included.
She went on to say:
“To this day I cannot watch horror films, I hate horror films, I’m terrified of horror films. I’m scared of them, I can’t watch them. I don’t like having an unpleasant movie viewing experience and it’s not fun for me. I put that down to watching that film with the twins.”
Facing Fears in Upcoming Roles
Ironically, Purnell’s upcoming work may force her to confront her phobia head-on. She is set to appear in The Scurry, a film centred on a group trapped in an eco café besieged by a swarm of bloodthirsty squirrels. The premise may sound a bit absurd, but with Rhys Ifans among the cast, there’s hope it will deliver some laughs along with the frights.
As if that weren’t enough, she will also be starring alongside Pete Davidson in That Time We Met, a film about saving humanity. Whether these projects will help her overcome her aversion to horror remains to be seen, but audiences can certainly look forward to seeing more of Purnell’s range in the near future.