Genre Shift: Actress Dot-Marie Jones Stars in Horror Film
The veteran performer takes on a lead role in 'Breeder,' a movie centered on a reclusive poodle breeder who targets humans.
By Trevor Wilson ·
Actress Dot-Marie Jones has moved beyond her recurring television roles to headline a horror film that opened in theaters this month. The movie, titled 'Breeder,' stars Jones as Patti, a reclusive dog breeder who shifts her focus to humans. She portrays a woman who lures a broke graduate student, Russell, to her remote ranch to serve as her latest stud. The film is written and directed by Alex Goyette.
Jones, who resides in Las Vegas with her wife, has been working in the industry for more than 30 years. She is widely recognized for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Coach Beiste on the Fox series 'Glee.' However, 'Breeder' marks a departure from the physical types she has frequently played. Jones has often portrayed large women, bikers, prison guards, and police officers. She described this new role as extreme and distinct from her previous work.
The actress joined the production at an early stage. She met with Goyette for coffee to discuss the character's trajectory and mental state. Jones noted that she had not previously tackled a role of this specific nature. She expressed enthusiasm for the project and voiced a desire for a prequel to be made.
During filming, Jones collaborated closely with the director. Goyette provided on-set direction regarding timing and focus. He would instruct her to let certain moments land while she looked at other elements in the dialogue with Russell. Jones credited Goyette for managing different creative visions and facilitating the performance.
The production involved working with poodles. Jones clarified a scene in the trailer that appears to show her licking a dog's mouth. She explained that the crew placed objects around her face to make it look as though the poodle was licking her. She found the process uncomfortable to perform and anticipated that viewers would react strongly to the imagery.
Jones has watched the final cut three times. She stated that the film gives her chills because it is designed to be uncomfortable. The goal, she said, is to make the audience's skin crawl. The movie is currently showing in theaters following its October release.
