Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias sat down with Francesca Barker McCormick to discuss her role as Laurie in the upcoming horror-thriller 213 Bones, premiering August 24th at Fright Fest in London. A chilling mix of 90s nostalgia, horror, and whodunit mystery, the film has already caught the attention of genre fans eager for its release.
Stepping Into the 90s
Francesca shared her excitement about diving into the 90s setting:
“The wardrobe, the hair, the makeup, the cars — everything immediately transported you back. Even on the first day of trying on wardrobe, I felt like I had stepped right into one of the shows I grew up watching.”
Fashion was one of her favorite aspects of the role, with Laurie’s Banana Republic-inspired looks doubling as “armor” for the character.
Playing Laurie: Professional by Day, Darkness by Night
Laurie may appear to be a straight-laced professional, but Francesca revealed there’s much more lurking beneath the surface.
“In any story, nobody ever sees themselves as the villain. For Laurie, it was about finding the truth in her choices and understanding her history — even when I didn’t agree with them.”
She described Laurie as essentially two characters in one: the trusted figure by day and a deadly force by night.
Easter Eggs for Horror Fans
Francesca teased that 213 Bones is packed with subtle details and clues for eagle-eyed viewers.
“There are little threads woven throughout — wardrobe choices, gestures, even cough drops — that hint at what’s really going on. For fans who love to track a story, there’s a lot to uncover on a second watch.”
She also revealed that not a single cast member correctly guessed the killer when reading the script — proof of just how cleverly the mystery is written.
Inspirations & Challenges
When preparing for Laurie’s darker moments, Francesca turned to Glenn Close’s performance in Fatal Attraction.
“That was a masterclass. It reminded me that even when you’re playing the terrifying element, you never lose the humanity. That was my approach to Laurie.”
The biggest challenge? Balancing how much of Laurie’s secrets to reveal without spoiling the mystery.
Behind the Scenes & Stunt Work
Francesca praised her stunt double and the team for bringing the intense physicality of the film to life.
“Watching how precise and choreographed stunt work is gave me a whole new appreciation for it. Timing was everything — even down to making sure a swing hit the exact spot on the lens.”
Why Horror Fans Will Love 213 Bones
When asked what she hopes fans take away, Francesca didn’t hesitate:
“Surprise. If audiences are surprised, then we did it right. And I hope people enjoy it enough to watch again and catch all the hidden hints we planted.”
What’s Next for Francesca Barker McCormick
Beyond 213 Bones, Francesca has two exciting projects on the horizon:
Forelock, a dark comedy shot in L.A. and set for a 2026 release.
An upcoming series dipping into the superhero world, set to premiere later this year.
Francesca’s versatility and depth continue to shine across genres, and 213 Bones promises to be a breakout performance that horror fans won’t forget.
213 Bones premiered August 24th at Fright Fest London.
👉 Stay tuned to Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes looks at your favorite stars and upcoming projects.