I actually audited psychology classes and interviewed a psychology professor, just to have some kind of grasp on the subject (laughs). I had a few scenes where I was actually teaching the material. I helped write it with Sam to make sure it was authentic. And final cut all gone (laughs)! It wasn’t the fun horror movie stuff!

You don’t seem upset about having a supporting role?

Normally you would, but in this case I was so into the movie that it made perfect sense. As a narcissistic actor, of course, I wanted to see my own work because I worked my ass off doing it (laughs.) But as an audience member?  I don’t want to see me, I want to see Alison go through more crazy shit. It’s Alison’s movie. And she carries it. She puts it all on her shoulders, that little 5’-2" frame, and she runs away with it.

What was it like working with Alison Lohman?

It was just the easiest, most joyful experience. I had been a fan of hers for a long time. Since Matchstick Men, I thought she was one of the best young actresses I’d ever seen. I loved watching her and I always caught her films.

I actually tried to do a movie with her before, about a year before we filmed Drag Me To Hell. So I was going out of my way to work with her. Still, my job in this movie is truly a supporting part, in every sense of the word. In terms of screen time, certainly, but also in terms of my relationship to the main actress.

It’s her journey and I’m there to support it. My job was to just love this girl. I mean, when all was said and done, that was it. And it was easy to. She made it easy.

Were you jealous that alison gets to have all the fun?

Absolutely (laughs). Absolutely.  I would linger around set and she would be doing everything. She was pushed to the breaking point. You know, Sam really worked her hard, but she more than rose to it. I’ve never seen an actress work so hard.

Meanwhile, I was just lingering around and secretly jealous that I didn’t get to be a part of all the mayhem. My friends are all like, 'Dude you got to be in Sam Raimi horror movie!' I say, 'Here’s what I do. I say, ‘Baby, everything’s going to be OK.  I’m going to be in the other room. Stay here, it’s going to be cool.’  Then I leave and all the awesome Sam Raimi stuff happens. And I run back in and go, 'What happened? Are you OK? I’m here for you now!' Fade out, next scene (laughs).

You’ve got quite a few films coming out this year, more than half a dozen by rough estimate

(Laughs) I want people to be sick to death of me! I want to saturate the world of cinema with my nerdy mug! No, it comes from two things. The fact is I love to work. I get very antsy when I’m not working. I just love acting and it’s my favorite thing to do. But it’s more than that.

My mom was an actress growing up, a great actress, and I saw the worst side of it. I saw the business, what it can do, and how fickle and fleeting it is. And so there’s a part of me that wants to just soak up as much as I can.

My career has had these little moments where each film has opened up new opportunities. Dodgeball, Die Hard And now, He’s Just Not That Into You, has created dramatic opportunities that I never thought would be there. And so I want to take advantage of that. There’s that feeling of not even wanting to get off the train, but instead to keep going faster. Still, it’s also dangerous. You know, you do too much and...

Is there anything you’re especially looking forward to? And just exactly how many films are we talking about?

Thirty three or thirty four (laughs). I’m very excited about After Life it’s another horror movie with some scenes I never thought I’d be able to do. I just saw Youth In Revolt, Miguel Arteta’s movie that I’m in, which is beautiful and hilarious.

And I did a bunch of animated movies - Planet 51; Alpha and Omega, with Christina Ricci. I think they’re going to be good. Then there’s the Alvin And The Chipmunks sequel.  I choose very carefully (laughs).  It’s really less by design than default though. A lot of them just happen to be coming out around the same time.

Do you believe in curses?

I believe in a lot of strange things. I believe in ghosts. I believe in certain myths. But I don’t really believe in curses. I shouldn’t say that, because then I’m going to get cursed for saying it. I also believe in karma, I guess (laughs).

What are your hopes for Drag Me To Hell?

I just can’t wait to see it again. It’s going to sound very arrogant because I’m in the movie, but I’m genuinely excited for people to see it. I’m excited for many reasons for people to see Alison.

And just for the fans. As a fan, I’m excited for my fellow Sam Raimi fans and the genre. I just can’t wait to see it again (laughs).

Drag Me To Hell is out now.
 

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