Sarah Roemer Discusses the Thriller, "Disturbia"

Sarah Roemer stars as Ashley, the new girl in the neighborhood who gets pulled into trying to catch a serial killer, in the thriller Disturbia. Directed by D J Caruso (The Salton Sea) and starring the super busy Shia LaBeouf, Disturbia mixes suspense, humor and a little romance to tell the tale of a teen (LaBeouf) forced into staying at home who finds the best way to kill time is to spy on his neighbors - one of whom might actually be killing more than just time.

Relating to Being the New Girl in Town: Roemer’s experienced it so she knew exactly what it feels like to be the new face on the block. “Yes, but not with my family. I left home when I turned 17 and ran away to New York. I did a lot of moving. I was based in New York and country-hopping, so I was always ‘the new girl’.”

Shooting the Film and the Appeal of Disturbia: Roemer revealed director D J Caruso shot as much of the film as possible in the order of the scenes. “We did as much as possible, which was great. I love that D.J. really made a point to do that. What I love about it is the movie is really fun. You really feel like you are a part of the spy team. I did when I watched it. And there’s so many laughs and you’re having a really good time. It’s a good ride and then when it gets intense, it’s really scary. So, it’s a building story and that’s what I really like. It is a lot about the characters and I think that makes the end even scarier.”

Looking Hot While Dripping Wet: Roemer’s character comes knocking on Shia LaBeouf’s door right after taking a dip in the pool. It’s a classic wet T-shirt type of scene. “They kept wetting me down,” said Roemer. “My hair was wet so my shirt had to be wet so they kept spraying me. I remember the crew guys, there was one on my side of the glass and one on the other. They each have an earpiece and they had their hands over their mouths talking to each other, both looking at me through the glass. I was like, ‘Can you stop? I’m trying to do a scene here.’”

Working with David Morse: Morse is good at playing bad, and his portrayal of the creepy neighbor who may be a serial killer is very spooky onscreen. On the set Morse kept in character so it was tough for his young co-stars to get to know the real man behind the creepy next door neighbor mask. “He did his job very well,” said Roemer. “There were a lot of rumors going around the set and the make-up trailer, whispering, ‘Is he really like this or is he just playing his character?’

I remember one time he knocked on my trailer. We were starting to do stunts and he brought Arnica, which is good for bruises and wounds and didn’t really say much. He just kind of handed it over and said, ‘This helps,’ and walked away. I thought, ‘Oh, I think he likes me. He was trying to help me.’ But I absolutely loved working with him. Every scene I did with him was absolutely incredible. He’s so inspiring just to watch, even in between takes. He just has this presence and it’s very intimidating. That scene in the car gives me the chills.”

Hooking Up with a Techy Guy: Would she fall for a guy like LaBeouf’s character in real life – the techy guy – as opposed to a jock? “Shia’s character is very cute and charming,” answered Roemer very diplomatically. “I think most girls would be happy with that.” And what if that guy just happened to be watching her from afar and picking up on all her likes and dislikes? Roemer answered, “If I was in Ashley’s situation where I’m in the middle of nowhere… He wasn’t some old, crazy creep next door; he was this cute guy that did entertain me. It’s hard to say.”

On the Voyeuristic Aspect of Filming Disturbia: LaBeouf’s character is spying on Roemer’s while she’s swimming, relaxing in the sun, and getting ready for bed. Watching those scenes in the finished Disturbia film was a bit surreal for Roemer who had no idea what was going on in LaBeouf’s half of those scenes. “Honestly, when I watched it in the beginning, I remembered filming a lot of the stuff in the bikini in the pool but I didn’t realize, because I wasn’t in the room with [the guys], actually what they were saying and talking about,” revealed Roemer. “So it was a really bizarre experience watching them, the little perverts (laughing) watching me, talking about me. I was a little taken aback. I had no idea how much was going on in the scene. I didn’t realize how much fun they were having with it. I felt a little violated for a second.”

Is Roemer the New Go-To Girl for Horror Movies? No, but it sure does seem that way right now. Roemer starred in The Grudge 2, Disturbia, and has Asylum coming up soon. Roemer admits she’s ready for something completely different. “I think I’m focusing on not doing a horror movie after this, but it’s been fun. Each project has been an entirely different experience.”

Roemer says life on the set of Asylum with David Ellis (Snakes on a Plane) was a blast. “David Ellis is absolutely amazing. We had nothing but laughs on the set. His thing is that he always has to work by some body of water, so we had a lake we would go to every weekend. We really had a good time. There is humor to every part of the movie and it is [a thriller] from beginning to end, but it’s also very funny, very funny storylines. He’s very creative.”