Julie Benz, known for her roles in “Dexter” and “Rambo,” revealed the intense psychological impact of filming “Saw 5,” the graphic horror film from the popular franchise. Shooting the movie, slated for a fall release, proved to be a deeply unsettling experience, blurring the lines between fiction and reality for the seasoned actress.
Benz described a whirlwind year, transitioning from the action-packed jungles of “Rambo” alongside Sylvester Stallone, to portraying the girlfriend of a serial killer in the hit series “Dexter,” and then immediately diving into the violent world of “Punisher: War Zone,” before landing on the set of “Saw 5”. It was the latter film that truly left its mark.
“The last film, which she wrapped in late May, ‘came home with me,'” Benz confessed. “These ‘Saw’ films are very psychologically terrifying, and it really affected me on a very deep level.” Unlike other roles where she could easily separate herself from the character, “Saw 5” seeped into her subconscious. She recounted experiencing nightmares directly related to the movie’s disturbing themes, not typical actor anxieties about performance, but genuine fear stemming from the on-screen horrors.
The actress admitted to an unprecedented reaction to the film’s content. “I didn’t think it was going to affect me like that. I mean, I was there on a set. I knew it was make believe, knew it wasn’t true, and still I was getting really scared.” The visceral nature of the “Saw” film pushed her boundaries, even leading to physical reactions. “They had a bucket on standby because I was really getting nauseous over things I had to do. I’ve never had that reaction to a movie before. I was always able to turn it off. But there were moments I actually forgot I was shooting a movie and really did think something awful was going to happen.”
Despite the intense and unsettling nature of filming “Saw 5,” Benz views the experience with a sense of professional fulfillment. “It was kind of exciting and fun,” she reflected. This immersion into such a realistic and disturbing environment is, in a way, what actors strive for – a testament to the film’s immersive quality and her own dedication to the role. Looking back, Benz would not hesitate to revisit such a challenging role. “I would do it again in a heartbeat. It probably wouldn’t affect me as much the second time around,” she concluded, suggesting a newfound resilience after confronting the darkness of “Saw 5.”
