By JOSHUA “Prometheus” SCAFIDI

Jamie Bernadette is a name that should ring some bells if you’re an avid horror fan. Perhaps you were introduced to Jamie via her role in “I Spit on Your Grave: Déjà Vu,” and she has been making quite the name for herself ever since. From starring in gritty, brutal horror movies, to dramas, to producing and even casting films, Jamie is becoming very hard to ignore.

Not that you would ever want to ignore her. She puts everything she has into every one of her roles, including her new film, END TIMES. Written and directed by Jim Towns, it’s a zombie flick with extra heart that stars Jamie Bernadette, Craig Stark, and Dominique Swain. Jamie is also a producer on the film, and we recently had the chance to catch up with her and chat about it, along with a few of her other upcoming projects.

Hi Jamie, how are you?

Good, can’t complain. How are you?

I’m good! I see you’ve been busy! You have a few movies coming out. Let’s talk END TIMES! You star in it but were also a producer on the film.

Yeah!! A little zombie action!

You killed that opening scene. Hooks you right in. It’s a cool little zombie flick.

Oh, thank you! I’m glad you liked it.

I liked your character’s relationship with Craig Stark’s character. You both played very well off each other.

Craig’s great. He’s been in a ton of stuff. Very talented.

Had you guys ever worked together before this film?

No, it was actually my first time working with him. I think he was the only one in the cast that I didn’t know.

Really?

Yeah. Everybody else I cast I had worked with and knew them, and they had great resumes. So, I would just cast them.  I’m not a fan of making actors jump through hoops to audition when they have really nice resumes. Craig submitted to us cold. We didn’t know him. We did spend a lot of time together on this, though. It was like 28 days for him, and like 32 for me.

What was it like with the rest of the cast? The ones that you did know.

It was great! It was like friends getting together to make a movie. We had a lot of fun.

That’s the best. When you have fun on set, it translates to the screen.

Yeah. It does for sure.

Alright, so what attracted you to END TIMES? What was it about the story?

Because it’s a heartfelt horror. I liked the relationship between my character, Claire and Freddy, played by Craig Stark. It’s a relationship story. A human story. It’s not just zombies. It’s more about this relationship and repairing past heartache. Craig’s character, Freddy, went through a lot in the war, and he’s haunted by these memories. So, he had to become a better person. It’s very much a story that’s deeper than your typical horror film.

I have to agree. It has heart.  From the beginning, it deals with trauma. It takes place during a zombie apocalypse, sure, but a lot more is going on. You and Craig Stark really stood out.

That’s what we were hoping. We were hoping to move some people to tears at the end.

Jim Towns wrote and directed. What was it like working with him?

It was great! We knew each other. We were supposed to work together before, on another film that didn’t go through. So, when this happened it was good. It was nice to be familiar with the director.

Now, you’ve been casting films lately.

Yeah! I love casting, actually. Maybe because I act, I can see the character, and think of someone who can play it. Plus, I know so many actors from being in the business for so long.

How did you get into casting?

I think it started with producing. When I would produce, I would sort of take over casting. I guess, I kind of fell into it. I’ve built a lot of relationships over the years, and I like to work with great talent.

You’re a natural networker.

Yeah. (Laughing.)

Okay, END OF TIMES… Sell it to me in one glorious sentence.

A heartfelt horror, that will not only scare you – but move you emotionally.

Nailed it! You had another film come out recently, too. “Sebastian.”

Yeah! It’s on Tubi, and a few other places. I’ve been told it’s one of my best films. I’ve been told. It’s well done. Mann Robinson, the director/writer, did a great job and it’s a really seasoned cast. They were all awesome to work with. I’ve been helping promote it.

Give us a quick rundown! What’s it about?

It’s a serial killer/crime film, and the serial killer is after me. He’s going to kill anyone in his way, and there’s these two detectives, played by Darius McCrary and Torrei Hart, trying to figure out who is killing all of these women. It’s pretty intense.

Awesome. Anything else you wanted to mention?

I have another horror coming out on November 1^st, called “Influencer: Click Bait.” Simon Phillips is behind that. It looks so good. I’m so excited about it! Look out for that one.

I know you’re a horror geek, like me. So, here’s a horror geek question. If you could star in any famous horror franchise, but as the killer – What one would you do?

As the killer? Hmmm. Probably Halloween.

So, Michael Myers then. Nice.

Yeah! I loved the first one, back in ’78. The second one was really good, too!

Can’t argue with that!  Jamie, thanks so much for your time, it’s always a pleasure!

Thank you!

Be sure to check Jamie Bernadette out in END TIMES, available now on VOD, from The Asylum.