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Your new movie River of Blood - in a few words, what's it
about, and what can you tell us about your character in it?
River of Blood is a high-stakes action-horror that follows two
couples battling for survival deep in the jungle—not just against external
threats, but also the turmoil within their own relationships. I play
Jasmine, a young woman whose innocence masks a heavy, life-altering
secret. She's thrown into chaos, and we watch her transform as she’s
forced to confront truths she’s long avoided.
What did you draw upon to bring your character to life, and how
much Sarah Alexandra Marks can we find in Jasmine?
I always start with the usual character work—backstory, motivations—but
what I love most is allowing room for spontaneity. I try to stay present
and let emotions lead in the moment. With Jasmine, her raw instinct to
survive really resonated with me. There’s a definite piece of me in
her—particularly in her resilience and the way she grows through fear.
Jasmine’s fight for life is very much a reflection of my own inner drive.
How did you
get involved with the project in the first place, what drew you to it?
I've worked with director Howard J. Ford before, and I absolutely love
his vision and energy on set. Tom Boyle’s writing is compelling—it’s
grounded and thrilling with just the right amount of emotional depth. So
when
River of Blood came along, it felt like a natural fit. That
said, I did audition the traditional way—no shortcuts!
To what extent could you identify with
River of Blood's
approach to horror? Luckily, I haven’t had to face
cannibals in a jungle myself! But what makes
River of Blood stand
out is that it’s not just horror for horror’s sake—there’s real human
drama underneath. The tensions between the characters are just as gripping
as the external threats. I love that blend of emotional storytelling with
full-throttle action—it’s what keeps the audience on the edge of their
seat. What can you tell us about
River of Blood's director Howard J. Ford, and what was your
collaboration like? Howard is an absolute force—creative,
dynamic, and constantly pushing you to dig deeper. There’s never a dull
moment on set with him. He brings this energy that’s both exciting and
challenging, and as an actor, you grow so much in that space. I always
feel very trusted and encouraged under his direction, which allows me to
take bold risks. You have also worked on one of
Howard J. Ford's previous films,
Escape, as well as his
upcoming Bone Keeper - so what can you tell us about working with one
another on these? We filmed Bone Keeper just this
past April, so the experience is still very fresh in my mind. Working with
John Rhys-Davies was surreal—a real pinch-me moment. Howard continues to
be such a joy to collaborate with. He brings the best out of everyone
around him. Honestly, I can't fault the man! Back to
River of Blood:
What can you tell us about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?
Filming in Thailand for six weeks was unforgettable. It was
intense—especially doing my own stunts in that heat and terrain—but so
rewarding. There were definitely moments where the biting ants felt like
the true villains! But the atmosphere on set was always positive and
filled with camaraderie. We became like a little jungle family, and I
think that bond really comes through on screen.
Any future projects you'd like to share?
Yes! I’m incredibly excited about Archie, which is my first feature
as a producer alongside Lucas A. Ferrara & Louis James [Louis
James interview - click here] — a real milestone for me.
Coming out later this year The Manor of Darkness by Blake Ridder &
Saming by Park Rojanachotikul. I recently finished filming Bone
Keeper by Howard J. Ford starring alongside John Rhys-Davies. Lots to
look forward to, and I can’t wait to share more soon. Your website, social media,
whatever else? Instagram: @sarahamarks Thanks
for the interview!
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