Amanda Zhou: Crafting memorable characters in ‘It: Chapter Two’ and ‘Rabid’

Photo courtesy of Amanda Zhou

Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.

Amanda Zhou, born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, gained recognition for portraying Jenn Yu in the Netflix series Spinning Out. Her notable work includes roles in The Handmaid’s Tale, Hudson and Rex, It: Chapter Two, Rabid, and Water. Inspired by her grandmother, Xuan Zhou, a talented actress from Shanghai’s jazz era, whose work appeared in the soundtrack of Blooming Flowers and the Full Moon in the film Crazy Rich Asians, Amanda developed a passion for acting. Drawing from this family history, she received formal stage and camera acting training, refining her skills and cultivating her unique talent.

It: Chapter Two, a 2019 American supernatural horror film directed by Andy Muschietti and written by Gary Dauberman, serves as the sequel to the 2017 hit film It, completing the two-part adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 novel. Amanda Zhou delivers a standout performance as a waitress alongside a star-studded cast, including Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean, and Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. The story unfolds 27 years after the first film’s events, focusing on the Losers Club’s reunion to confront and defeat the evil entity It.

In her role as a waitress, Amanda found herself during a chaotic situation involving the main cast. Returning to the private dining room, she discovered a scene of disarray with food and dishware scattered and broken.  This situation brought a bit of humor, but Amanda also assisted as Pennywise returned, struggling to understand the situation unfolding before her.

It: Chapter Two encounters a typical obstacle found in adaptations of Stephen King’s novels: accurately capturing the depth of King’s intricate storytelling. Hollywood tends to simplify King’s psychologically and internally driven horror into more conventional supernatural thrills, a trend that persists in Muschietti’s interpretation. Despite effectively presenting scary scenes and remaining faithful to King’s narrative, the film emphasizes external horror at the expense of delving into the character’s inner conflicts. This problem is particularly evident in the movie’s lengthy duration of almost three hours, revealing a disregard for the characters’ internal struggles.

In 2019, the Canadian body horror film Rabid was released, directed and co-written by Jen and Sylvia Soska. The film features Laura Vandervoort, Ben Hollingsworth, and Phil Brooks in prominent roles and is a modern interpretation of David Cronenberg’s 1977 film of the same name. Rabid debuted at the London FrightFest Film Festival on August 26, 2019. Follow Rose, a determined young woman immersed in the fashion industry, driven by her ambition to become a designer. After an unfortunate accident alters her path, Rose bravely delves into experimental stem-cell treatment, seeking not only physical recovery but also the realization of her aspirations.
During the innovative procedure, Rose is transported into a captivating dream world where reality and illusion blend. She must confront unforeseen repercussions in this surreal dimension, encountering visions that test her new inner strength and beauty. Follow Rose on a journey of change as she explores a hauntingly gorgeous realm, discovering the complex forces that shape her desires and the hidden darkness lurking beneath her transformed existence. Amanda Zhou performed as remarkably as Paige in the horror movie Rabid. In her role as the committed makeup artist on the film set, Paige faced the difficult challenge of looking after an actor struggling with substance abuse. Despite her genuine attempts to offer tough love, doubts remained about whether her messages made an impact. Amanda’s authenticity in portraying Paige, coupled with the intricate storytelling of the film, created an unforgettable and thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience.