Paul WesleyandJackie Cruzcan’t escape danger in their new horror thriller.
The pair star in the first trailer forHistory of Evilshared exclsuively with PEOPLE, depicting a “near future” in which “war and corruption have plagued America and turned it into a theocratic police state.”
Orange Is the New Blackalum Cruz plays Alegre Dyer, who is part of a group of citizens called The Resistance that fights back against oppression.
Paul Wesley and Jackie Cruz in ‘History of Evil’.Courtesy of Shudder
Courtesy of Shudder
“Personally,” he adds, “I feel that the best genre films are those that provoke thought and have deeper meaning, and our filmHistory of Evilvery much accomplishes that.”
For Cruz, 37, her off-screen activism made the story even more relatable.
“It resonated deeply with me because, through my involvement with theJustice Leagueand participating in marches like the Women’s March, I’ve consistently stood against injustice,” she says. “Carmen Perez, my mentor, served as a source of inspiration, and the character in the script reminded me of her: a fierce advocate for those without a voice, especially those incarcerated.”
“Carmen, deeply committed to justice and also a mother, holds a special place in my heart,” the star adds. “Witnessing her dedication with the Justice League, where she fearlessly combines motherhood and activism, greatly inspired my character.”
Jackie Cruz in “History of Evil”.Courtesy of Shudder
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Cruz — who says she was “compelled to take on this role to amplify the voices of the voiceless” — adds that Perez “exemplifies that being a mother doesn’t hinder the fight against injustice.”
Cruz says the movie is “haunting” but “carries a powerful message that love can triumph over darkness.”
“While not a traditional happy story, it carries a sense of hope,” she says of the film. “I aspire for viewers to leave with the conviction that using their voice, fighting for beliefs and cherishing family are invaluable aspects of life.”
History of Evilis streaming on Shudder Feb. 23.
source: people.com
