Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with American Refugee’s Sam Trammell

With a prolific career that has spanned over three decades, Sam Trammell is easily one of the greatest actors of his generation. He’s wowed audiences with his uncanny ability to transform into any character. His past credits include hit TV shows and films like The Fault in Our Stars, True Blood, and Homeland.

This December, he stars opposite Erika Alexander and Derek Luke in the suspenseful thriller American Refugee.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Sam about the project.

PC: Can you tell us about American Refugee and your character in the film?
Sam: Yes! First of all, I was really excited to do a Blumhouse movie. I’ve known Jason Blum for years and years, since back when he was with Malaparte Theatre Company in New York. This movie is really unique. It takes place during an economic collapse where martial law has been instituted. It’s basically about two families who need something from each other. But the economy collapses and one family needs to take shelter with the other to be safe. My character needs a doctor. I have a wife that’s pregnant. It’s about what happens when two different groups are put together and the different power dynamics that come into play. It’s a really exciting thriller. It’s very, very tense and suspenseful. It’s a character-driven movie.

PC: You’ve done it all throughout your career. What was it about this particular project/character that stood out to you?
Sam: This character is really an interesting guy. He’s a prepper. He did a tour in Afghanistan. He’s one of the guys who is a lot more complicated than he seems at first. You might write him off as one of these country people that are preppers. But there are a lot of dynamics having to do with his past and the pain that he’s suffering and things he’s gone through in his own family. I thought the relationship between my character and the husband and wife of the other family was so interesting. The power dynamic that comes into play is really unexpected. It’s a really, really intense character that’s going through some PTSD. It was really fun to play.

PC: There are so many different layers to each of the characters. Winter, in particular, lives in this gray area. What was your process like developing this character and toeing that line?
Sam: I really wanted to take some chances in this movie. I did my research. I shot some guns and did all the things that I usually do for characters, but I really mentally went in trying to find the unexpected within myself as an actor. Every take, I wanted to try to do something different. It was a really fun process. Ali [LeRoi], the director, was so supportive in that process.

PC: There are so many intense moments within the film, especially with your character. How did you prepare for those scenes?
Sam: I found a quiet place on set away from everyone. It’s always different with every project that I do. I’ve been doing this for thirty years, growing as an actor, but I just find a quiet place and listen to some music and relax.

PC: You were talking about the power struggle earlier. How did you, Erika [Alexander], and Derek [Luke] work on that dynamic that we see unfold throughout the film?
Sam: The two of them did a lot of work together. They’re such a beautiful couple together on film. They have a great family unit. My character is supposed to be very isolated from them. I hung out with them once the cameras stopped each day, here and there, but I didn’t really work with them. I didn’t want to. I wanted them to be surprised by me. My character ostensibly holds all the cards in the film. Their characters and mine never know what the other side is thinking. I really wanted them to not know what I was thinking or how I might react. I really wanted that to be a surprise. I wanted their family to not know what my deal was.

PC: There are so many timely and relevant themes that the film touches upon. Was there one in particular that hit home for you?
Sam: Yeah! This is all about an apocalypse and how dangerous it is to be outside. But it also explores what dangers you face inside. There is a literal danger that these folks face in my bunker. But if you look at how things are in the world right now, you know it’s dangerous out there, but there are also psychological dangers that we all face and have to work out while being inside.

PC: What do you hope audiences take away after they see it?
Sam: I hope they have a really good time. I don’t know that we’re trying to preach any message, but I think I would find it interesting if I saw this. It’s really eye-opening because it’s really about pecking orders, power, and seeing your own place in your own immediate family as well as your extended family and family of friends. It’s interesting what you learn about how power works.

PC: Is there a scene that you’re really excited for your fans to see? Which was the most challenging to film?
Sam: There are some scenes later in the movie that are really big and exciting. They were amazing to film. This movie was exciting for me because I was working in a different way. I can’t say too much, but there’s a dinner scene later in the movie that was really one of my favorites to shoot.

PC: Besides this film, where can fans see you next?
Sam: Oh wow. I have a movie that I did called Unsilenced that’s set in Beijing. It’s about Falun Gong. It’s coming out soon. I also have The Tiger Rising, which is coming out on January 20th, with Queen Latifah, Katharine McPhee, and Dennis Quaid. It’s based on a young adult novel.

To keep up with Sam, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Watch American Refugee on EPIX today.

Photo Credit: Laura Ise