The absence of Latine representation in contemporary cinema is deeply disappointing, considering that in 2020, Latinos accounted for a significant 29 percent of moviegoers in the United States. Here's a fascinating tidbit that might surprise you: Latinos also comprise 26 percent of horror movie audiences, a higher percentage than for other film genres, according to a recent survey. Despite this, there's a glaring lack of Latino actors taking lead roles in horror films.
Melissa Barrera, however, has been a trailblazer in challenging this trend. The queen of horror and suspense has starred in numerous films within this genre in just the past few years, including "Scream," "Scream IV," "Bed Rest," and "Your Monster." Her latest portrayal as Joey in "Abigail," a gore-filled vampire flick released on April 19, showcases her versatility yet again. The film revolves around a group of criminals tasked with kidnapping the 12-year-old daughter of a corrupt millionaire.
Like many of Barrera's roles, Joey isn't your stereotypical Latina character. She's a war veteran with a dream of reuniting with her son, a character that could have been played by any actor regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. But Barrera has beautifully brought her own unique flavor to the role.
Speaking about the lack of Latino representation in Hollywood films, Barrera says, "I've always believed that movies should be a true reflection of the world we live in. And in that sense, as a community, we've somehow been missing the mark. We've often been pushed aside and relegated to minor roles across all genres, but especially in the horror genre. So, it's been a pleasure for me, as a Mexican woman, to land roles that weren't necessarily written for someone like me. But the trust and opportunity they've given me have been incredible. Honestly, this is my favorite kind of representation."
Before delving into the realm of suspense, drama, and horror movies, Barrera had a successful early career in Mexican telenovelas. She then starred in films and shows that were heavily marketed as Latino projects, such as her role as Lyn in the Starz drama series "Vida," created by Tanya Saracho, and as Vanessa in Lin-Manuel Miranda's "In the Heights."
However, getting those films off the ground was a daunting task, she admits. "Movies starring Latino leads don't always guarantee success at the box office," she muses. "It's always been a puzzle to figure out what's the missing piece?" She continues, "When a project is marketed solely as a Latino must-watch, it has two unintended consequences. Firstly, it turns off a significant chunk of the audience. People don't like being told what to watch or support. Secondly, it puts immense pressure on the project to encapsulate the entire Latino community, which is an impossible task."
It was only when Barrera started taking on roles in films and series that weren't branded as Latine projects that her career truly took flight. We've begun to witness more Latine stars shining in horror films, such as Jenna Ortega in Netflix's "Wednesday," Justina Machado in "The Horror of Dolores Roach," and Jaden Michael in "Harlan Coben's Shelter" and "Vampires vs. the Bronx." However, Barrera's characters stand out in a unique way; she often portrays the sole survivor who triumphs in the end.
"I believe audiences deeply appreciate this kind of representation," she declares. "It's an honor for me to embody these roles and fight for more opportunities like this. Typically, I'm drawn to characters that don't have 'Latina' tagged onto them in parentheses."
An impeccable example of this transformational casting is Barrera's portrayal of Sam Carpenter in "Scream" and its sequel, "Scream IV." Initially, the character wasn't envisioned as Latina, but once Barrera signed on, the creators recognized an opportunity to breathe new life into the role. She reminisces, "My character's father is depicted as white, but they said, 'Why not? She could have a white dad. Her mom could be Latina. Why shouldn't she be Latina too?' I deeply appreciate creators who dare to think outside the box and see beyond traditional casting norms. Such vision is sadly lacking in our industry, but fortunately, we have individuals like Matt [Bettinelli-Olpin] and Tyler [Gillett] who are willing to take risks and offer opportunities to actors like me."
Unfortunately, Barrera's journey with the "Scream" franchise came to an abrupt end last year. She made headlines when she vocally advocated for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has resulted in the tragic deaths of over 33,000 Palestinians and 1,139 Israelis. Despite this setback, the proud Mexican actress refused to let it dampen her spirit or her dedication to advocating for others. Since her dismissal, Barrera has remained steadfast in speaking out against the atrocities in Gaza while simultaneously pursuing her passion for acting. She has landed lead roles and created the kind of representation she has always longed to see in film and television.
Reflecting on her time as Sam Carpenter, Barrera says, "Even though Joey wasn't originally conceived as a Latina, I'm grateful for the opportunity to bring her to life. And I'm especially proud to have portrayed a veteran, because Latinos serve proudly in the Army, and it's crucial to showcase that reality on screen. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to play these roles and create more space for people like us. That's my ultimate goal. While there will always be roles written specifically for Latinos, if we confine ourselves to only those predefined roles, then nothing will ever change."
