When it comes to summer camp movies in the horror genre, there are key staple archetypal characters we’ve come to expect. Similar to horror films set in a school setting, you have the jock, the nerd, the love interest, etc., all coming together to form a tableau of expected people you’d run into in any situation. In Marshmallow (2025), these archetypes get flipped a bit on the head, giving viewers something new and unexpected by the film’s end. It also opens up questions as to how the actors approached these archetypes upon picking up the script, paving the way for this very interview.

After an unexpected tragedy rattled Morgan (Kue Lawrence), the shy and introverted 12-year-old is whisked away to a secluded summer camp with the hopes of having the summer of a lifetime. Rather than making happy, joyful memories, Morgan learns that maybe some anxiety is a good thing when a legendary campfire tale comes to life before his eyes. Accompanied by his newfound friends, they attempt to find answers to what’s actually going on and are forced to confront their fears. If they don’t, it could spell the end of everything they know.

For the upcoming release of Marshmallow, we talked to Kai Cech, who plays Pilar, and Pierson Fode, who plays Kaszwar, about the film. Throughout our conversation, we discussed how they tackled their archetypal horror staple characters, battling against the physical elements of the set, and learning about how shooting Marshmallow ended up being one of the actors’ first summer camp experiences.

Marshmallow (2025) is pretty interesting because it goes in one direction and then goes, “Nah! Made you look! We’re going to do something different.” For you guys, what was it about the characters that drew you guys to them? They’re sort of like archetypal to the horror genre, right?

Pierson Fode: Very much so. Kai, you want to take it away, or do you want me to roll with the first one?

Kai Cech: Well, my character, Pilar, is very spunky and fun. She’s very different from who I actually am, I feel like. Getting to do that, and then the auditioning process, too. I always found it very fun to play, so I really enjoyed getting to be someone I am not, but also just that funness in it because that’s what it’s all about. So, it was really great. I really enjoyed her.

Pierson Fode: As we all did. You crushed it. For me, when is it not fun to play the douchey jock in a movie? It’s fun, it’s entertaining, it’s ridiculous. You get to make a lot of choices and say a lot of things that you wouldn’t typically say in any other scenario. And Kaszwar is definitely that element of chaos in the movie that’s just very exciting and fun for me to get to play into.

But he also has a very sweet side. Kai, you’re gonna have to listen to me say this in almost every interview, but he’s very sweet with his girlfriend, and it’s fun to play the contrast of him going absolutely crazy and all the other aspects. So, I think that as an actor, it’s fun to play that contrast when they’re just almost directly together.

Of course, we’re meeting you guys for the first time at camp. As part of the development and rehearsal process, did you guys simulate a camp situation before diving straight into filming?

Pierson Fode: It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to camp. I think, Kai, you probably got there earlier than I did, right?

Kai Cech: I think so, but I was pretty late too.

Pierson Fode: The cool part was this was summer camp, but we were just making a movie in doing summer camp, which was just super fun. We were all in Kentucky together, just having a great time. So, for me, it was just getting to be there and then pretending to be Kaszwar, and then, on the side, we’re all having a great time. I don’t know. You take it away, Kai. Tell me.

Kai Cech: I agree 100% with that because everyone really started to get super close so quickly, and getting to be with that group of kids and the adults as counselors, that it all just kind of felt real in a way. But then, at the same time, it also just kind of felt like, ‘Oh, we’re just playing around with friends.’ It was really great, and it really did [feel that way]. There were so many times when it just felt so real. I’ve personally never been to summer camp, but if I were to go, it feels like that’s what it would be like, in a way, because it felt so right with everyone.

Pierson Fode: I agree. I think, actually, it did feel very real in the sense that there’s killing and murder at summer camp, and blood and violence and doctors that are hacking you in half. It’s very exciting.

Kai Cech: [laughs] Right?

I would like to go on the record, Kai, since you haven’t been to summer camp, it’s not supposed to be that way.

[everyone laughs]

Pierson Fode: But it’s more fun.

It is more fun, and I’m sure it gets the juices flowing. Because this is a horror film, there’s a lot of physicality involved. And so, I was curious for the both of you, what was the most difficult scene for you guys to shoot, whether physically or just getting to that right emotional state? Talk to me about that.

Pierson Fode: Physicality-wise, my character obviously takes his shirt off more times than he needs to, but that’s him. Good for him. But no, I think, for the sequences that involve some pretty intense, violent moments, getting into that headspace is fairly wild and exciting and getting to play with our stunt choreographer, [director] Daniel [DelPurgatorio] and all the rest of the cast. It’s just phonetic and super fun for everybody to do it. We’re playing make-believe, and we’re in dress-up and having all kinds of weird conversations, and it’s just great.

Getting into those headspaces can be a little bit dark at moments, but literally, as soon as the cut happens, we’re telling each other jokes and giggling in between. And then, five seconds before you yell action, you are jumping back into the character, pretending to be an insane person. So, it’s a good time.

What about you, Kai?

Kai Cech: There was this one scene where I was with actors Kue [Lawrence] and Max [Malas], and we were running down this hill. We’re running down, and then we’re going back up. So, it was a big hill, and we were repeatedly doing that over and over. It was sweaty. It was at night, so a little cooler but still hot out in the weather. I just remember we had water bottles on the top of the hill. We would be drinking them. Literally, one time, we dropped one, and it rolled all the way down that hill. [laughs] It was just so long, but it was also so fun. Getting to do that with them, too, they always make it great. So, difficult, but still really fun.

Well, that seems like a workout that Kaszwar would be masochistically into. Just running up and down that hill.

Pierson Fode: I think he did those hill sprints immediately following them doing the hill sprints and got jealous.

This is probably a spoiler question for you, Pierson, and we can skip it if it’s too into spoiler territory just because of how the entire film goes out. I had a huge note for this after I finished watching Marshmallow, but it’s mentioned that Kaszwar almost got fired. Did you make up the background for what possible reason he could have been fired, considering the circumstances?

Pierson Fode: If I gave my reason why Kaszwar almost got fired, it would probably give away the twist in the movie. For those that see the movie as you read this interview, just know that Kaszwar has a very specific role in in his job, and as it progresses, he takes his job more and more seriously. You can put together maybe why or why not, he would have been close to getting let go at some point because he had a little too much fun about getting too serious for his character.

That is a good roundabout way of answering that, and I appreciate you for it.

Pierson Fode: I did my best, right? I tried!

You did a great job.

A scene from Marshmallow

So, I tend to like asking silly, light questions at the end because it’s fun. To wrap things up here, for both of you guys, what would your nightmare camp scenario be? Kai, I know you technically haven’t been to summer camp but the set counts here because there were cabins in the woods. So, what would your nightmare summer camp experience be like?

Pierson Fode: Kai, come one. Tell us.

I can go first if you want.

Kai Cech: What do you say? What would be your crazy scenario?

Not necessarily crazy, but I like to think of a giant mutant mosquito infestation just rampaging around the lakeside, just because I grew up with stories of mosquito infestations from my stepfather about summers in Siberia. So, I always imagine just giant mosquitoes coming after us.

Pierson Fode: That sounds horrible. That actually is a terrible and also realistic scenario. You know what? If I’m going to go in that vein, mine would be jumping into a lake full of leeches.

Ooo!

Pierson Fode: Yeah, terrifying.

Kai Cech: Real freaky, guys.

You’re welcome.

Kai Cech: Honestly, oh, going along with that, just like creatures in general, it would just be horrendous because I have a huge fear of bugs in general. So that’s one thing that holds me back from camping or anything, it’s bugs. I cannot handle bugs, dude. Covered in bug spray wherever I go. That’s what I’m gonna do in the summertime.

We’re going to get you one of those little net poncho things to ward off all the bugs.

Kai Cech: That and, I guess I could be pretty realistic [and say] if a big fire were to start, like with a campfire, and then just [everything in] flames [would] be terrifying. So, little freaked out about that. You guys are giving me fears of summer camp.

You mean, this film didn’t!?

Pierson Fode: [laughs]

Kai Cech: You guys are making it worse.

Pierson Fode: Well played.

You’re welcome. Instead of campfire stories, we have Zoom fire stories. On that uplifting yet horrifying note, now is a good time to finish things. Kai, I’m so sorry for your potential camp-related therapy. I’m sure Pierson can help you talk it out a bit.

Pierson Fode: No, I’m going to add to it for sure.

Oh dear.

Marshmallow releases in theaters on April 11, 2025. Watch the trailer below.