Chupa cast Christian Slater, Demián Bichir, Evan Whitten, and Director Jonas Cuaron discuss their new Netflix film that brings Chupacabras to life in this exclusive interview with Mama’s Geeky.
Netflix’s upcoming film Chupa brings the legend of Chupacabras to life with an adorable cub named Chupa. In this story, Alex goes from Kansas City to Mexico to visit his extended family. What he didn’t expect was to discover a Chupacabra cub under his grandfather’s shed.
In this exclusive interview with Mama’s Geeky, cast members Christian Slater, Demián Bichir, and Evan Whitten, as well as Director Jonas Cuaron, discuss bringing the film to life, the creation of Chupa, and the messages audiences can take away.
Built In Special Effects
Demián Bichir plays a luche libre champion named Chava. He dons a full on luchador outfit at one point in the movie – and looks quite amazing we might add. Of course, we had to know what it was like putting it on, expecting a response about how cool it was. Instead we learned it was a different kind of cool.
Bichir immediately exclaims “It was freezing!” before going on to say he was very happy he kept the cape as part of the costume. “I remember [the director]saying I think you should go without your cape. But I remember growing up in Mexico watching all these types of films and they always wore the full outfit – mask, cape, everything – the entire film. Thank goodness, I asked for that because that covered me a little bit.”
Christian Slater, who plays the “baddie” Richard Quinn recalls that it was very windy that day. So much so, that it added in some free visual effects. “Actually, all that wind at the end, when you think it’s like the wings of the Chupacabra. That was real. There was real dust. It was worth it. It looked great. I mean, it was like free special effects for us. It was amazing.”
The Inspiration Behind Chupa
We had to ask Director Jonás Cuarón about the creation of this family friendly film, and the importance of making movie like this. He explains that he has two kids, ages 15 and 9. During the pandemic they spent a lot of the lockdown watching movies together. “I watched so many family adventure type movies that I grew up with like E.T., Gremlins, and Goonies. I suddenly became very excited about doing a movie that I could share with them; a movie that was like those movies that I grew up with.”
Cuarón says that he was very excited to make a kid’s movie and when the concept came along, and the script came along, and he saw that it turned the myth of the Chupacabra on its head, he was all in. “Instead of being a horror movie, it turned it into a family adventure. I became very excited because I grew up in Mexico in the 90s and that’s right when the myth of the Chupacabra happened.”
He explains that the legend was very important to him growing up and so the possibility of doing a family adventure movie that he could share with his kids, but that also spoke about the context he grew up in, was very exciting.
Messages To Take Away From Chupa
Every family friendly movie has a powerful message for kids (and adults) to take with them after watching it. Chupa is no different. When asked what made him want to be a part of this movie, Christian Slater immediately said that he feels these kinds of stories are extremely important. “Evan’s character Alex is very identifiable. [He is a] heartfelt character that wants to do the right thing. I think that’s a good example for other kids to see. At the end of the day, the underlying story is all about love and connection and family. And that’s really what binds all of us together.”
Evan Whitten adds, “This movie actually circles around the whole point that your family is always there for you. Never feel like you have to go into something alone.”
Jonás Cuarón agrees, explaining that the most important message for him is something the mom says early on in the movie, which is your family will always be there for you. “That’s the core message of the movie, but I also, in general, want them to take [away]the relationship with Chupa and fall in love with the creature. I think he’s such a lovable creature.” He really hopes the audience falls in love with him like Alex does.
The Creation Of Chupa
During our talk with Jonás Cuarón, he explains that on set, Chupa was played by a dog named Harper. The whole process of the creation of the Chupacabras was really fun for him. He saw the design before it materialized, but he thinks what makes Chupa super cute is the performance.
“We really based his performance on many animals, and particularly the dogs. We had a dog on set, always, to interact with the boy because I think something that’s so successful in movies like Gremlin is that they really play up on the relationship between a boy and a creature. I think we all connect with that relationship one way or another, like it’s fantastical to see my kids interact with dogs and cats. It’s so magical.” He wanted to be sure to show that and let it shine through in his film.
Evan says that Harper is a very well trained dog. He jokes that he is the best co-star he could ask for, before specifying that he means animal co-star since Christian and Demián are sitting right there. He explains that the dog was strapped into a suit with a handle. “Without hesitation if she had to get picked up or she had to get moved.,, She’ll do a lot for the tiniest treat. My dog Jack. We spoiled him so he will do the little [thing]for the biggest treat.”
Christian jumps in on the Harper love as well, saying that she was a great dog, “there’s no question about it.”
Full Chupa Interview
Be sure to check out our full interview with Christian Slater, Demián Bichir, Evan Whitten, & Director Jonas Cuaron to get the full behind the scenes details!
NEXT: Disney’s Saturdays Cast Confesses Roller Skating Skills
About Chupa
Shy 13-year-old Alex (Evan Whitten) flies from Kansas City to Mexico to meet his extended family for the first time. There he meets his grandfather and former lucha libre champion Chava (Demián Bichir), energetic, wrestling-obsessed cousin Memo (Nickolas Verdugo), and fearless, hip cousin Luna (Ashley Ciarra).
But just as Alex begins to get his bearings, he discovers a mythical creature living under his grandfather’s shed: a young chupacabra cub, which he recognizes from stories of the feared, full-grown chupacabra, fabled to feed on farmers’ livestock.
Alex soon learns that his new friend “Chupa” has a secret history with his family, and that dogged, dangerous scientist Richard Quinn (Christian Slater) is hunting the misunderstood creature to try and harness his powers. To protect Chupa from impending danger, Alex sets off on the adventure of a lifetime, one that will push the bonds of his newfound family to the brink, and remind him that life’s burdens are lighter when you don’t have to carry them alone.
Chupa hits Netflix on April 7th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.