An emerging actress on the indie scene, Alice Kutskova started her career with a series of impressive credits to her name, working with local filmmaker Miroslav Petkov. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early interest in the genre, getting involved in the industry, and working on some of her past projects.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, when did you get into horror in general? What films or books specifically got you into watching horror movies?
Alice Kutskova: Hello, thank you for having me.
I don’t think I ever truly “got into” horror; I was always drawn to it. From a very young age, I watched a lot of film and television, and I was constantly fascinated by the magic happening on screen.
I remember during a movie night I watched ‘Case 39,’ and I was completely horrified, and I loved that. I must have been around four years old, and I still remember that feeling. It left a strong impression on me.
I was also very into ‘CSI: Miami,’ so those were some of the first genres I was exposed to, but ‘Wrong Turn,’ ‘SAW,’ and ‘Cabin Fever’ really got me crazily into horror. As I grew older, that curiosity turned into a deeper obsession with cinema. There wasn’t really a time when I wasn’t watching films or binge-watching series, as it became a constant in my life.
Me: When did you initially discover a passion for acting? What aspect of this industry appeals to you?
AK: I’ve always felt a connection to cinema, but I realized I wanted to pursue acting when I was 17.
At that time, I had become very introspective and spiritual, and I had a moment during meditation that felt like alignment within me; it was just shown to me, and I felt it. Right after that, I enrolled in my first acting course in Sofia, where I trained for six months, traveling every week to attend. It was a strong push, and my mentor helped guide me a lot during that period.
What draws me to this industry is both the art and the people. Artistically, I’m fascinated by how entire worlds are created and brought to life. It’s like giving life to something that only existed in imagination. It is very beautiful.
And beyond that, the people you meet are really unique and inspiring. I value that. I also love that this industry allows you to express something meaningful and, with the right mindset, have a positive impact on others. That’s something I aim to grow into over time.
Me: Is there any specific type of character you prefer playing? What do you look for in a character to be excited and interested in playing it?
AK: I’m very drawn to characters with depth and emotional tension. I like keeping things a bit intense and exploring complexity - characters that have layers to them. I’m especially interested in roles where there are internal conflicts happening beyond the surface and tension between characters or in the scenes. Drama is one of my favorite genres because of the emotional weight it carries, but I think every genre has the potential to tell something powerful.
Me: Growing up in Bulgaria, did that hinder your interest in the genre or force you to turn to the local cinema for inspiration?
AK: Not at all. I believe inspiration can be found anywhere, especially within yourself.
And nowadays, everything is so accessible. Even growing up in Bulgaria, I was still able to explore the genres and films that interested me. It didn’t limit me - if anything, it made me more curious.
Me: Having performed in many shorts and features for filmmaker Miroslav Petkov, what about his style and approaches keeps bringing you around to work with him?
AK: Miroslav is very interesting to work with. He often takes on multiple roles in a project - directing, acting, producing, and I really admire that drive; he structures it very well.
He’s also very easy to collaborate with and committed to finishing what he starts, which is something I respect a lot. We also both share a strong interest in horror, which made working together feel very natural.
And of course, Denis Metev also impressed me with his writing on Exit #6. There’s a strong creative energy in that circle.
Me: Your first short together, “Two Months,” saw you play the lead girl. Also, being your first acting job, what do you remember about your time filming?
AK: To be honest, I was very excited and a bit nervous when the camera was first in front of me. But I eased into it quickly because the team was very welcoming. We were even rehearsing scenes out on the street, and I think we might have scared a few people with the prop gun, which was actually really funny.
Me: What do you do to stay in character while on set? When you're not filming, how do you pass the time between takes?
AK: I build the character beforehand so I can tap into it whenever needed. It’s almost like having control over two identities that you understand very well.
Between takes, I either relax, eat, connect with the team, or watch other scenes being filmed. I like being involved in the overall creative process as much as possible.
Me: What initially attracted you to the role of wanting to play her? What helped you get into the proper mindset during filming?
AK: It was the realism of the situation. It reflects things people actually go through - moments where everything can change instantly because of someone’s reckless actions. The emotional weight of that really drew me in. It’s about how one moment can alter an entire life, and how the person left behind carries that weight.
To prepare, I focused a lot on building that internal tension, especially the feeling of holding onto something for a long time. That kind of emotional residue became key to the character.
Me: Do you recall having any odd or funny on-set stories about yourself or any of the other cast/crew members?
AK: Oh my God, yes.
When we were filming Lia, our car got stuck in the mud at night, in the middle of nowhere - right after we filmed a very intense scene in an abandoned building. All of us were covered in fake blood. And at one point I was literally tied up for a scene, and they went off to prepare something, and I was like “omg guys where did you go now??” - I genuinely thought I was about to get kidnapped. Then it got worse - our phones had no signal, they were dying, and you could hear what I think were wolves. It honestly felt like we were about to become a real horror documentary instead of filming one.
After that, we went to get food, and I still looked like I had just escaped something very questionable. And another time, after a 16-hour shoot, I went straight to sleep with fake blood all over me and took a bus the next morning without cleaning it off. I did get questioned, but I was honestly too tired to care - I just wanted to sleep.
Me: Returning to work with him on projects “Exit #6” and “The Knock,” did that help to make you more comfortable not just with him but with the rest of his stock group of actors and actresses?
AK: Returning to more work together brought us closer rather than just making me more comfortable. They were very welcoming since the first project, so it really didn’t take that long to open up!
Me: With stacked casts of talented indie actors and actresses involved, what tips and tricks have you learned as an actress from working on these films?
AK: It surely made me develop more strength, determination, and flexibility. On indie sets especially, you often have to adapt quickly, improvise, and support each other creatively. You’re all building something together, so you learn to stay open and solution-oriented. Every project teaches you something new, and that constant growth is one of my favorite parts of acting.
Me: What do you do to keep your creative energy flowing?
AK: I would say I just stay in it - not only on set, but in everyday life. I observe, I create, I experiment. Sometimes I even play around with different personalities just for fun, like doing everyday things in character. It keeps things alive creatively. Talking to the cashier in a French accent, pretending to be an American…
But more deeply, I focus on emotional openness. The more connected you are to your own emotions, the easier it becomes to access a character truthfully. Meditation, nature, and introspection have all helped me with that. And honestly, having strong emotional connections in life has played a big role, too. Love, when it’s real, can open you up in ways that directly impact your work, so my girlfriend also impacted me a lot.
Me: What else are you working on?’
AK: Right now, I’m continuing to train always, explore new opportunities, and create some myself, as I recently wrote a few scripts that I am also bringing to life. And developing projects that I’m really excited about. I’m focusing on growth and building meaningful work step by step.
Me: Lastly, with this being our Women in Horror Movement, what special message do you have for any women out there looking to join in the industry in any capacity as you are one yourself? Thank you again for your time!
AK: Thank you for this question.
I would say most of all - be open and don’t chase perfection. Readiness is a decision, not a feeling. If you wait to feel ready, you never will. Every artist has a unique signature - embrace yours and create. There are people out there who are waiting to see the work that you haven’t even created yet. So start. And best of luck to everybody!
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