The film stars Katie Cassidy (‘Arrow’ and ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’), and William H. Macy (‘Fargo’ and ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’).

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Katie Cassidy about her work on ‘Speed Demon’. The actress and producer talked about her first reaction to the screenplay, her character’s trauma, creating a backstory with William H. Macy, working with director Jon Keeyes, her love for the horror genre, her role as a producer, and if there will be a sequel.

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Katie Cassidy stars in ‘Speed Demon’.

MF: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to reading the screenplay and why you wanted to be a part of this production as both an actress and producer?

Katie Cassidy: First, I loved reading it. It’s a total page turner, which is a great thing. I love the character being this troubled woman who ends up putting down the bottle and stepping into her power. I love playing these strong female roles. So, there was a bunch of wins when I read the script and then I was like, what is going to happen next? So that’s always another positive thing. I signed on, not just as the lead, but as a producer as well.

MF: Can you talk about the trauma that Sister Lu experienced as a child and how that affects her now that she is an adult?

KC: Well, she’s self-medicating. She’s certainly turning to drugs and alcohol to suppress the abandonment she has from her father and how she feels without that relationship and the trauma with the demon. She finally sees, shortly after we meet her, that her purpose is saving people and becoming this strong powerhouse that she is and embracing that.

(L to R) William H. Macy as “Father Novak” and Katie Cassidy as “Sister Lu” in the horror film, ‘Speed Demon’, a Maverick Film & Complex Corp release. Photo courtesy of Maverick Film & Complex Corp.

MF: How would you describe Sister Lu’s relationship with Father Novak and what it was like working on that with William H. Macy?

KC: He’s obviously an incredible talent, and we were so lucky to get him. He’s such a cool, unique individual and just someone who was a true collaborator. He came in and we talked backstory, and we talked what the two of us would have gone through, and how long have we known each other? Just getting into more depth and details in our backstory together really helps when you’re portraying a character that has a long-term relationship with another character. Some actors do that, some actors don’t. Everybody has their own craft if you will. Paul Blackthorne, who played my father on ‘Arrow’, he and I did a similar thing, where we talked backstory. So that dynamic was similar, and I think it really enriches the characters and the relationship. So, I’m glad that it translated.

MF: Do you enjoy working that way and has creating a backstory with another actor ever changed the way you were going to approach playing a character or a particular scene?

KC: Yeah, I love doing that, but again every actor’s different. So, some actors prefer to keep to themselves, and do their own thing. I like a little bit of both. I think it’s good to explore relationships. I’m not necessarily big on rehearsals. It depends on the scene, but I like blocking things out and then holding them in motion until the camera’s rolling, while also being open to discussing it if the director or another actor wants a rehearsal, of course, I’m happy to do that.

Jon Keeyes, director of the horror film, ‘Speed Demon’, a Maverick Film & Complex Corp release. Photo courtesy of Maverick Film & Complex Corp and Photographer Richard Clabaugh.

MF: What was your experience like working with director Jon Keeyes?

KC: Oh, Jon Keeyes is the best. He’s just awesome. Again, he is open to ideas. When it came to dialogue, there were some areas at first that bugged me, but I spoke with him, and we went over it. He’s just a team player and he’s just awesome. He has a great energy. We got along great. I adore him. I hope to work with him on many more. He’s just a cool and fun collaborator.

MF: Is it fun making a horror movie, and is it a genre that you enjoy watching?

KC: I enjoy watching horror movies. I think it kind of depends on what and when, but it just so happens I’ve done multiple movies that happen to be horror. I’m attracted to good characters. I’m attracted to a good story. I’m attracted to, who’s involved, who is directing, and the script obviously must be good. So, there’s a bunch of different elements in that. Is it fun? Not really. I mean, it’s fun, but it depends on what aspect of the story we’re in, if it’s fun or not. If my character is about to get killed, if there’s corn syrup involved like in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ when I was in that plastic bag in the school hallway with corn syrup. That was not fun. My hair was stuck to the bag, and I was stuck to the bag. My hair turned pink. But, looking back, it’s hilarious. It’s ridiculous, but that’s part of it. So, it can be at times, it just sort of depends.

Katie Cassidy as “Sister Lu” in the horror film, ‘Speed Demon’, a Maverick Film & Complex Corp release. Photo courtesy of Maverick Film & Complex Corp.

MF: As a producer, what were your daily duties working on the movie and are you proud of the final product?

KC: Yeah, absolutely. You know, being there, being ready, and making sure everything is functioning in a timely manner is something I’m very aware of. It was certainly something on this that we had to keep pushing because you have only limited days, and we did a lot in a short amount of time. I’m very proud of what we did, and I think everybody who’s involved in this project should be as well.

MF: Finally, without giving anything away, the movie ends on a cliffhanger and leaves the possibilities for more films featuring Sister Lu. Would you be interested in exploring this character again in the future?

KC: That was one of the things that I was drawn to as well when I read the script for the first time. Not only is it a strong character and a strong woman who steps into her power, but she gets to save the save the day. So, what happens next? It was such a page turner and then seeing that it could become a franchise and maybe Sister Lu can be sent anywhere, but let’s start with the United States of America.

‘Speed Demon’ opens in theaters, On Demand, and on digital May 31, 2026.

What is the plot of ‘Speed Demon’?

When Father Novak (William H. Macy) and Sister Lu (Katie Cassidy) board a train from Montreal to New York City, they weren’t prepared for the danger and evil that would pursue them. After the train is taken over by the demon Asmodeus, Father Novak and Sister Lu must battle possessed passengers on a runaway train with Sister Lu forced to overcome her faltering faith and perform the first exorcism done by a nun.

Who is in the cast of ‘Speed Demon’?

Katie Cassidy as “Sister Lu” in the horror film, ‘Speed Demon’, a Maverick Film & Complex Corp release. Photo courtesy of Maverick Film & Complex Corp.

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