Judy Reyes talks Birth/Rebirth (Interview)

Judy Reyes stars alongside Marin Ireland in the captivating body horror Birth/Rebirth, available to rent and buy now on digital. Directed by Laura Moss, the heart-wrenching film follows Celia Morales (Reyes) as her life is turned upside down following the sudden loss of her daughter, and she meets pathologist Rose Casper (Marin Ireland) who is working on an experimental reanimation treatment.

It explores everything from creation and birth to disease and death, and it did so during a time when Roe vs Wade was overturned and saw rights being taken away from women in real life. Speaking to FILMHOUNDS, Scrubs icon Reyes discusses her role in the horror and how the cast and crew approached such sensitive subjects.

You play Celia in Birth/Rebirth, and I was wondering what attracted you to the project?

I read the script twice when I got it and I was flattered by the fact that Laura (Moss said she wrote the character with me in mind. I completely related to her and everything she did as a mom. She went beyond in the circumstances she was under and allied herself with Rose, it all made sense to me.

As a mother yourself, did you find that your experience as a parent, or indeed with birth and maternity care, informed your role as a maternity nurse in the film?

Entirely. In everything that I did. Everything that Celie did was completely informed by the fact that I have a child and how I feel about that child is what I kind of injected into the portrayal of Celie. I completely got it, she is so good at what she does caring for other people. And the last moment that she spends with her child, and then that kid is gone, and you don't feel anything but shame. You examine your life and the order in which you put things, and then you go into an enormous denial. You find the thing that's going to help confirm the news, the “I'm not going to believe it until I see her”. Then the path that that leads you to them feels like a gift.

How did you and the rest of the cast and crew navigate working with a child (A.J. Lister, Lila Morales) on set?

The actress was amazing. And her mother was lovely. So one of the things that also informs and fuels it is that we got along great, I love this kid and she had a lot of fun. She completely delivered. She understood the assignment, and it was great to be around. It was terrific casting on the film, Laura and the team worked very well to realise who they wanted and what they wanted them to do.

Your chemistry with Marin Ireland as you cared for Lila was so authentic. What was it like to work with her?

She was a blast to work with. She's a terrific character actor and we are huge fans of each other in terms of what we work on and how we work. I loved the icy humour that she put into it as well as the warmth and almost marital nature of the relationship. We made each other laugh and it helped us find the funny in such a creepy, dark story. She was a lot of fun to work with, and incredible to watch. It's a lot of fun to be in the space and create stories with someone who you just have fun to be around.

Interestingly, you bring up the humour in making the film. There are moments of Birth/Rebirth that are humorous. And people will know you for your work in comedy, notably Scrubs. Did you find there was any crossover between your career in comedy with horror?

One of the reservations about the role I had was “Another nurse, really?” So I think I was very diligent in approaching everything that Celie endured or went through very seriously. And that was countered by what Marin did. Rose was almost mechanical in her lack of emotion and connectivity, so that clash was where the humour came from.

This isn't your first journey into the world of horror after having previously appeared in Smile in 2022, as well as roles in iZombie, Bringing out the Dead, and The Horror of Dolores Roach. What is it that draws you to roles in the genre?

I don't pick them on purpose because they're horror. I'm not actually a horror film fan. The first horror film that I saw was Carrie, and the only reason I saw it was because my sister tricked me and told me it was a different movie. I was completely traumatised by that and by Jaws. I hadn't watched a horror film since then until my 30s because they scare the shit out of me. I just started getting into it last couple of years, because I was starting to get all this horror film work. So it's, it's come to me, I can't say that I made the choice, but it's been fun.

Birth/Rebirth deals with some really heavy subject matter. How did you decompress between scenes, and was there anything you or the cast and crew would do to keep things light between takes?

I think it serves you to deal with the moments instead of what it's all about. During the time the film was made, Roe v. Wade was overturned, so now you're telling a story about making, giving and taking life, with mostly women. While we're getting the story told, working hard, and being creative, life is going on outside and they're continuing to try to take rights away from women. The irony is inescapable, the fucked up, criminal nature of the whole thing. When we're here telling the story, it's almost enforcing, and motivating. We have to be very deliberate in terms of how we tell stories, and that includes specifically hiring women and people of colour. Stories like this get outspent and out-promoted regularly. So the fact that I'm sitting here with you, and you saw it, and you appreciate them, I'm happy about that. This is the kind of thing that has to keep getting done for us to find our audiences, which is usually women like ourselves.

What has the reaction toward the film been like for you?

This film came out just when the (WGA and SAG-AFTRA) strikes started, so we were robbed of the opportunity to actually get reactions and promote the film accordingly. So now we're getting a bit of a hindsight reaction, which is completely welcome. The reviews have been great. Sundance was amazing. We had a teeny theatrical release, and now we're on Shudder and we're getting a greater response. I love that this is happening, I'm humbled, and I'm grateful for it. And it's exactly what I want to be a part of in terms of telling stories and making films and television. So we continue to be recognised for this great achievement. And I hope more people watch it.

Birth/Rebirth is available to rent and buy digitally from January 22.