Priah Ferguson is an American actress who gained popularity for her role as Erica Sinclair in the hit Netflix series "Stranger Things." However, her journey to success was not an easy one. In the movie "The Curse of Bridge Hollow," Ferguson plays the lead role of a young girl named Mina who discovers a dark secret haunting her small town. "The Curse of Bridge Hollow" is a thrilling horror film set in a seemingly peaceful and idyllic small town. Mina, portrayed by Priah Ferguson, embarks on a thrilling adventure to uncover the truth behind a centuries-old curse that looms over Bridge Hollow. Mina's character is portrayed as a courageous and determined young girl who refuses to let the curse engulf her town.
Priah Ferguson and Marlon Wayans Embrace A Father-Daughter Bond In Netflix’s The Curse Of Bridge Hollow
Priah Ferguson takes on her first leading film role in Netflix’s The Curse of Bridge Hollow opposite comedy legend Marlon Wayans. The duo play a skeptical father and an openminded daughter who get caught up in a spooky curse in their new small town that brings the town’s Halloween decorations to life. I caught up with Ferguson and Wayans about their bond and what they learned on set.
“I always wanted to lead in the film so I definitely prepared myself for it,” the Stranger Things star told me. “There were things that I had to work on by being the lead. Like responsibilities I had to work on such as being on time because when the lead's not on time the whole production gets set back and knowing my lines. […] I caught on to those pretty fast.”
While Wayans is known for comedy-horror projects like Scary Movie and A Haunted House, this is his first family-friendly Halloween movie. “Maturity,” he said, about what he learned on set. “Learning to just sit in the pocket and be a joke teller, not be so broad and overreaching like I […] tend to do. I still love doing that, but this movie called for something different and it was good to play a dad and make a family-friendly comedy for Halloween. I thought [we did] a a great job and I learned a lot from [Priah] because when you work with the youth you remind yourself of the fun that it is to be youth and to go into every experience with those doe eyes just wanting to learn something new. […] She learned from me and I learned from her.”
The heart of The Curse of Bridge Hollow is the strong relationship between father and daughter. “I adopted her and then I just paid her off. Hush money and titles. Kids love that,” joked Wayans about how he and Ferguson built their bond, with Ferguson sharing that being “open” is the key to a strong relationship between parent and child. “Having a parent to talk to about your problems or just vent in general, that’s always good,” she said. “And also the parent letting their child grow and learn on their own and make their own mistakes by themselves. Not hovering over their child trying to create the perfect child because there is no such thing as the perfect child. Teenagers are going to make mistakes and that’s how they grow and become them as a person.”
During a fight against clowns in the film, Wayans references his brother Damon Wayans’ character Homey D, Clown from the first season of In Living Color, saying, “Homey don’t play that!” “I had a clown in front of me and I was just like, what would I say if I’m about to whoop a clown’s ass? Homey don’t play that just came out naturally,” he said about improvising the moment. “I think that happens often when you do movies. You’re just in the scene and you’re thinking one way and the character’s feeling this way and you say it and you go with it. They go cut and the crew’s laughing and you go, ‘Oh that worked?’”
And while this might be Ferguson’s first leading film role, it’s not her first time in the supernatural space following her success as Erica in Stranger Things. “Sydney would enjoy being in the Stranger Things universe, the upside down. I definitely think she’d want to explore it a bit more and see what it’s about,” she said about how her characters in Stranger Things and The Curse of Bridge Hollow would fair in each other’s worlds. “I think they’ll adapt pretty easily to each other’s supernatural habitat [or] interests.”
The Curse of Bridge Hollow is streaming on Netflix.
Kristen Maldonado is an entertainment journalist, critic, and on-camera host. She is the founder of the outlet Pop Culture Planet and hosts its inclusion-focused video podcast of the same name. You can find her binge-watching your next favorite TV show, interviewing talent, and championing representation in all forms. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, a member of the Critics Choice Association, Latino Entertainment Journalists Association, and the Television Academy, and a 2x Shorty Award winner. She's also been featured on New York Live, NY1, The List TV, Den of Geek, Good Morning America, Insider, MTV, and Glamour.
‘Stranger Things’ Star Priah Ferguson Shines in Netflix’s ‘Curse of Bridge Hollow’
Mina's character is portrayed as a courageous and determined young girl who refuses to let the curse engulf her town. Throughout the movie, Ferguson's acting talents shine as she brings Mina to life with her expressive face and exceptional ability to portray a range of emotions. She effortlessly captures the essence of Mina's bravery, curiosity, and vulnerability, making the audience root for her character's success in defeating the curse.
Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Curse of Bridge Hollow’ on Netflix, Featuring 'Stranger Things' Star Priah Ferguson in a Family Halloween Mediocrity
"The Curse of Bridge Hollow" explores themes of friendship, family, and the importance of standing up against evil. Ferguson's portrayal of Mina allows viewers to connect with the character on a deep level, as she navigates through the challenges and obstacles that come her way. Ferguson's performance in "Stranger Things" undoubtedly helped her secure the role of Mina in "The Curse of Bridge Hollow." Her natural on-screen presence and undeniable talent have made her a fan favorite. With her role in this horror film, Ferguson proves that she is not only capable of captivating audiences with her comedic timing but is also adept at handling intense and dramatic roles. "The Curse of Bridge Hollow" showcases Priah Ferguson's versatility as an actress, demonstrating her ability to seamlessly transition from one genre to another. Her impressive performance in this thrilling horror movie highlights her incredible talent and leaves viewers eagerly awaiting her future projects. Overall, Priah Ferguson's portrayal of Mina in "The Curse of Bridge Hollow" is captivating, compelling, and showcases her talent as a versatile actress. With an exciting and creepy storyline, Ferguson's performance elevates the film, making it a must-watch for horror fans and admirers of her work..
Reviews for "The Charming and Mysterious Priah Ferguson in The Curse of Bridge Hollow"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "I found 'Priah Ferguson: The Curse of Bridge Hollow' to be extremely disappointing. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, leaving me bored and uninterested throughout the entire film. Additionally, the acting was subpar, with Priah Ferguson's performance being particularly unconvincing. The special effects were also underwhelming, and the climax of the film felt rushed and anti-climactic. Overall, I would not recommend this movie to others as it failed to deliver on any level."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "While watching 'Priah Ferguson: The Curse of Bridge Hollow,' I couldn't help but feel let down. The plot seemed intriguing at first, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The characters lacked development and depth, making it difficult to connect or empathize with them. The pacing was inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. While the film had potential, it didn't live up to my expectations and left me feeling unsatisfied."
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Priah Ferguson: The Curse of Bridge Hollow,' but unfortunately, it fell short. The storyline lacked originality and felt like a generic horror movie with predictable jump scares and clichéd tropes. The dialogue was weak and filled with unnecessary exposition. The performances, including Priah Ferguson's, were lackluster and failed to evoke any real emotion. Overall, the film failed to leave a lasting impression and was forgettable compared to other horror films in the genre."
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - "I found 'Priah Ferguson: The Curse of Bridge Hollow' to be a complete waste of time. The plot was uninteresting and lacked any real substance. The characters were poorly developed, and their motivations were unclear. The acting was unimpressive, and the scares were predictable and uninspired. I was highly disappointed by this film, and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful or thrilling cinematic experience."
5. Jack - 2/5 stars - "I had high expectations for 'Priah Ferguson: The Curse of Bridge Hollow,' but it ultimately fell flat. The concept had potential, but the execution was messy and confusing. The characters felt like caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out individuals, and their actions often didn't make sense. The jump scares were cheap and relied on loud noises rather than genuine suspense. Overall, the film lacked originality and failed to deliver a satisfying horror experience."