Inside the Monstrous Samson: '28 Years Later' Star Chi Lewis-Parry Reveals Grueling Prosthetics, Spine-Ripping Action, and a Shocking On-Set Injury
Danny Boyle's visceral and terrifying vision of a zombie apocalypse returns with 28 Years Later, and leading the charge of the infected is Samson – a truly colossal and horrifying figure. The film, already a critical darling, pushes the boundaries of horror, and at the heart of this monstrous creation is Chi Lewis-Parry, the actor who brought Samson to life. In an exclusive interview, Lewis-Parry pulls back the curtain on the incredible challenges and unforgettable moments of portraying this iconic creature.
The sheer scale of Samson is immediately striking. He's not just a zombie; he’s a towering behemoth of rage and destruction. Lewis-Parry details the immense prosthetic suit that brought Samson’s size to life. “It was… a lot,” he admits with a laugh. “It was a full-body prosthetic, meticulously crafted. The weight alone was significant, and then you had to factor in the heat. We're talking about hours under incredibly intense lighting, wearing layers of foam latex and silicone. It was physically demanding, to say the least.”
But the physical challenges were only part of the equation. The role demanded a raw, animalistic performance. Samson is driven by instinct, a relentless hunger, and a terrifying power. Lewis-Parry describes the process of embodying this creature, focusing on the physicality and the absence of rational thought. “It was about stripping away everything human,” he explains. “Finding that primal rage, that desperate need. We spent a lot of time working on movement, on how a creature that size would actually move – the weight distribution, the balance. It wasn't about acting in the traditional sense; it was about *being* the monster.”
The film’s signature brutal action sequences, including the infamous spine-ripping scenes, are particularly memorable. Lewis-Parry acknowledges the intensity of these moments. “Those were… intense days,” he recalls. “The choreography was incredibly precise, and the practical effects were phenomenal. It’s genuinely shocking to witness, even for us on set. The realism is what makes it so unsettling.”
Beyond the impressive prosthetics and brutal action, the production wasn’t without its own near-disasters. Lewis-Parry recounts a particularly harrowing incident on the train sequence. “There was a moment on the train where I was being pulled along, and my hand got caught in a mechanism. It was a genuinely scary moment. I could feel the strain, the potential for real injury. Luckily, everyone reacted quickly, and I was pulled free, but it was a stark reminder of the risks involved in this kind of filmmaking.”
28 Years Later is more than just a zombie film; it’s a visceral and thought-provoking exploration of societal collapse and the enduring power of the human spirit. Chi Lewis-Parry’s performance as Samson is a central pillar of this success, a testament to his dedication and the incredible artistry of the filmmaking team. The film promises to leave audiences breathless and terrified, and Lewis-Parry’s insights offer a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain of this cinematic triumph.