That’s right, Dropout’s Isabella Rolland is bringing her new film D(E)AD to limited theaters this fall! This new horror comedy focuses on Izzy’s personal struggles after her problematic father passes away. However, Izzy’s dad hasn’t quite left this plane of existence entirely. Instead, he has chosen to haunt everyone in the family. Well, except Izzy, that is.

D(E)AD is a fantastic film that explores the different channels of grief in spectacular fashion. The film primarily focuses on how we often feel haunted by our loved ones’ memories. While this is a pretty common trope, Izzy does a fantastic job of twisting the concept into something completely fresh.

Now, I know that Dropout fans will be ecstatic to see Izzy out on the big screen. But wait, there’s more. What if I told you that D(E)AD has even more of your favorite Dropout cast members involved? This emotionally charged horror comedy also stars Vic Michaelis, Zac Oyama, and Brennan Lee Mulligan.

I cannot say enough positive things about this film. D(E)AD is both deeply saddening and blissfully hopeful. Whether you are a Dropout fan or love dark comedy, D(E)AD is a film that everyone should check out this year. Luckily, I was able to sit down with Izzy and a few other cast members to dig deeper into this harrowing tale of grief and redemption.

Izzy Roland

iHorror: Why did you decide to use something so personal for your first major production?

Izzy: It felt like fertile soil for a story. By the time I started writing it, I realized my feelings about losing my dad had all culminated in a beautiful, wrapped-up way. I wrote it four years after his death. So I felt I could write the ending of the film because I had already experienced the uncomfortable, conflicting emotions about his death and had been set free by being able to remember some of the good memories of him.

iHorror: As someone who has lost two addicted parents, this film hit home for me. Did making this film stir any of those lingering emotions?

Izzy: There were moments that my mother and I were watching Craig Bierko play my father dying in a hospital bed that caused us to be like, ‘Oh, we really just recreated that.’ But that was about the extent of it. Like I stated earlier, those feelings had come to a close already.

iHorror: Why did you decide to go with a horror comedy instead of something more serious?

Izzy: I am not the type of filmmaker who is going to make Zero Dark Thirty. It’s not my taste, and it’s not how I see the world. I grew up in a very funny Jewish household, and there’s no way to ignore the awkward interactions that take place when someone has died. We were laughing so much at the hospital that I don’t think there is a way to tell this story without it being funny.

Vic Michaelis

iHorror: I know you and Izzy are pretty close. How did it feel to work alongside her for her first major production?

Vic Michaelis: It was incredible. It was the fastest and easiest yes I have ever said to anything. I read the first two pages of the script, and I was like, yeah, I’m in.

iHorror: As a Non-Binary person, was it difficult to play as Izzy’s older sister?

Vic Michaelis: That was one of the first things that Izzy had said. They were more than happy to make the character Non-Binary. As an actor, it doesn’t rub me to play women as long as people are respectful. I really view it as a costume that I am putting on and taking off.

iHorror: With the film being deeply personal for Izzy, was it difficult to add humor while being respectful of what happened?

Vic Michaelis: As someone who has lost a parent themselves, there is a bit of humor when something so devastating has happened, but your life just continues as normal. I know that there were a lot of jokes and humor at that time, and in the next breath, you are breaking down crying. I think a lot of that was reflected in the film.

iHorror: How can you assure fans this isn’t an elaborate episode of Game Changer?

Vic Michaelis: You can’t. Actually, maybe there are hidden Sam’s throughout the film. So, everyone should go see it 9 times to make sure they find all of them.

iHorror: Can we expect to see you in more horror projects?

Vic Michaelis: I would love that. I love horror and disaster films. Anywhere I can infiltrate that space, I will get my claws in. My horror claws. Because I will be sort of a vampire. Or a goat. Maybe I will be a goat with a human face. Something of that nature.

Claudia Lonow

iHorror: How did it feel working alongside your daughter for her first major production?

Claudia Lonow: It was fantastic. It gave me the opportunity to see her as a grown-up artist. A lot of my work has been semi-autobiographical and about our family. So, it was really fun to see how my daughter portrays me as a comedic character.

iHorror: How did it feel to jump back in front of the camera after all these years spent working behind the scenes?

Claudia Lonow: It is so much more fun. You get to be playful and be in the moment.

iHorror: What would you say to the readers to get them to lock onto this project?

Claudia Lonow: If you are a fan of Izzy Roland, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Vic Michaelis, and Zac Oyama, you’re going to get a full experience from this.

D(E)AD is currently only available in select theaters. You can see the full list of venues here.

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