Step inside the chilling world of ‘HIVE’ with Xochitl Gomez and Aaron Dominguez as they discuss practical effects, child actors, and modern horror.
In the chilling new horror-thriller Hive, the psychological boundaries of safety and terror blur within the confines of a simple afternoon at the playground. Starring Xochitl Gomez (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) as a strict, anxious teenager tasked with watching a group of children, the film quickly descends into a waking nightmare when the child in her care vanishes.
As she confronts a sinister force hiding in plain sight among the other children, her grip on reality begins to slip, forcing her into a desperate game of survival where nothing is as it seems. This Tubi original thriller, which also stars Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), premiered exclusively on Tubi on Friday, April 17th.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Xochitl Gomez and Aaron Dominguez to discuss the intense experience of bringing this terrifying story to life. Throughout our conversation, the duo opened up about the unique challenges of working within the horror genre, the exhilaration of filming long, immersive takes, and the surprisingly inspiring process of working with a cast of young actors.
From their approach to maintaining a professional balance on set to their appreciation for practical effects, their insights offer a fascinating look behind the curtain of this suspenseful new film.
Xochitl Gomez & Aaron Dominguez On ‘HIVE’
Mama’s Geeky: Creepy kids in movies are inherently terrifying. What do you both think it is about children that makes them so effective in horror?
Xochitl Gomez: I think it’s just the fact that they are so innocent. They are something you instinctively want to take care of and protect. That instinct is exactly what lends itself so well to horror. Taking something you view as vulnerable and not scary, and turning it into the exact opposite. It’s perfect for the genre.
Mama’s Geeky: When you first read the script, was there a moment where you thought, “I don’t know how we are going to pull this off”?
Aaron Dominguez: Yeah, for sure. Especially with this genre, you start questioning the logistics. The physicality of it all, the budget, and how we were going to approach the scares. Are we using green screens, CGI, or practical effects? We relied heavily on practical effects, which made the experience feel very theatrical. We were getting to play on these real, well-lit, and incredibly creepy sets. It was exhilarating because you were forced to be present, to lock in, and to immerse yourself in the environment, which truly makes the horror feel that much more real.
Mama’s Geeky: What was it like bonding with the young cast on set?
Xochitl Gomez: I found it really fun because they were just so excited to be part of a movie. It reminded me of when I was a kid on set for the first time. Being surrounded by that energy made my inner 10-year-old actor so excited. I really wanted to pour into them and ensure their experience was great. We made it a point to balance the intensity with fun, creating inside jokes when we weren’t filming, while also maintaining our focus when it was time to get serious. It actually helped me stay calm on set.
Want to dive deeper into the making of Hive? You can catch the full conversation in the video interview to hear more about Xochitl Gomez and Aaron Dominguez’s experiences on set.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.