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Sarah Minnich is starring opposite Nicolas Cage in the explosive crime-drama Running with the Devil. The film follows a tenacious federal agent on a mission to track down a group of experienced drug dealers. It’s a pivotal role and project for Sarah, who explains that getting to work alongside one of her long-time favorite actors shows how far she’s come in the industry. Pop Culturalist caught up with Sarah to chat about Running with the Devil.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Sarah: Oddly enough, I didn’t discover that I had a passion for acting until I starred in an indie horror film called Spring Break Massacre in 2006. Don’t get me wrong, the experience was both wonderful and problematic, but I remember loving almost every minute of it and thinking, “This is what I’m meant to do!” By the way, if you decide to watch said film, have a glass of wine (or three) before watching.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Sarah: Both my father’s mother and my father were performers. My grandmother was a prima ballerina who broke her knee and could never dance again. My father was a musician who chose his family over the industry when his band lost two members in the ’70s. Our line has always been one of performers, and along with that, those performers have always run into obstacles that led them astray from their passion. I think because of this, my father has always been always supportive of my career and consistently encourages me to keep going even when things become seemingly impossible. For this reason, my father and the legacy of his late mother have been my biggest influences.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back is there a particular moment that sticks out to you?
Sarah: There are a few moments that stand out. Back in 2014, I thought that booking Better Call Saul was the seed that would spark the rest of my career. That may very well have been the case, but these days, I have other moments that have felt the same and, at least from my perspective, have positively influenced my journey. I also remember considering Running with the Devil to be a major step in my career; to be given the chance to work with one of my long-time favorite actors was such a testament to how far I have come in the industry and how much trust New Mexico casting directors have put in my talent and work ethic.

PC: What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
Sarah: The most important thing I have learned and implemented in my work is to make it about the joy of playing and not about “getting the job” or being “better” than the other actors. When I began going into auditions with the mindset of simply enjoying the process of auditioning rather than competing to book, things got better for me.

These days, I try to walk into every audition assuming that the audition is the end game; I try to live in the mindset of “whatever”—in other words, if I book, great, but if I don’t, that works, too. At the end of the day, even if you don’t book one specific role, you still had the chance to show your work to a casting director. That right there is the work.

PC: Tell us about Running with the Devil, your character, and what attracted you to the project.
Sarah: I play the wife of Nicolas Cage in Running with the Devil. In my teens, I was a major Cage fan. I grew up watching some of his more famous films like Gone in 60 Seconds, Face/Off, and The Rock. I loved his mysterious aura and his smoky voice. When I got the audition for this, I was in shock and awe that they would consider me to play his wife! Like, what!?

I went into the audition expecting not to get the role and just had fun playing in the room. When I got the notice that I did book the role, I was, again, rather shocked. I remember just looking up and thanking God for such an amazing treat and opportunity. On top of my excitement to play across from such a massive star, I was also thrilled to play pregnant; I love playing pregnant and think that pregnant women are some of the most beautiful women out there.

When I finally got to set on the day we started and met Mr. Cage, I was not surprised to learn that he is a very focused and professional actor. He spent a lot of his time working with the director to get the character exactly right and he was pleasant and professional with me when we did interact. I have met famous actors in the past who are either full of themselves or overtly flirtatious and obnoxious, because they think they can be, however, Cage was neither.

PC: You’ll also be starring alongside Justin Long in The Wave. What can you tell us about that project?
Sarah: The Wave was one of the most fun projects I have ever worked on. To say that I loved letting out all of that anger and aggression and then getting to overhand pitch an alarm clock at Mr. Long himself is a major understatement. The director, Gille Klabin, was such a force! His energy was pure excitement and happiness; I’ve never met another director who was more outwardly happy and ready to do what he loved. On top of that, I’ve never been on a set that was more welcoming and conducive to creativity. Everyone that I encountered was able to let go and make it about the art.

I was recently able to see the film and yes, it’s definitely out there, but it’s also a wonderful project that I am so pleased with! From someone who can speak from experience, actors don’t always feel happy with the final product. It was an amazing feeling to watch one of my performances that I was truly pleased with.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Sarah: Friends

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Sarah: Indiana Jones

PC: Favorite book?
Sarah: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Sarah: Beauty and the Beast

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Sarah: Odeza

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Sarah: Workin Moms

PC: Hidden talent?
Sarah: Sewing

To keep up with Sarah, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Catch Running with the Devil in theaters now and on VOD.