ALYSSA PARKER TALKS RUTHLESS BASTARDS
"I was told acting wasn't a real option"
Daniel John
In 'Ruthless Bastards', two former best friends and partners in crime take on one last, high-reward mission. Assuming they will get along enough to finish it, having a let’s say touchy reason for falling out. What about the twists and turns of this film stole you into the role of Lyla?
What drew me to Lyla was her complexity. She’s working for the big boss, navigating a dangerous world, while also carrying a history with Nico. As the film unfolds, you get a taste of how that tension surfaces and the subtle ways her strength, attraction and instincts collide. I approached her without judgment, as if she were a real person making hard choices in high-stakes situations. I’m drawn to roles that allow my empathic instincts and my interest in human behavior to guide the work, and Lyla gave me the opportunity to bring that depth to the story.
You got to work on this with some rather iconic actors coming together for it, like 'The Boondock Saints' Sean Patrick Flanery but also Casper Van Dien. How was connecting with the genre figures on this set?
I only worked with Casper Van Dien briefly, but it was a great experience and full of laughter. I have a great deal of respect for the performers, director, writer, DOP, and the entire crew, as you know there’s many different jobs on set, and truly, films wouldn’t exist without them. Being able to collaborate with people who share a genuine love for filmmaking is always an honor. Casper was incredibly supportive and brought a light and genuine energy to set. It’s inspiring to see someone with a well-established career remain so present and invested. Being surrounded by people equally passionate about film made the experience so humbling.
What was the path to acting like for you. It took you a few turns before you fully committed?
My path to acting wasn’t linear. After high school, I explored a variety of things. Hairstyling, pageants, bodybuilding, even university. I was told acting wasn’t a real option, but no matter what I tried, I could not stop wondering about it. About five years later, I just suddenly took a big leap and went for it. I enrolled in classes, moved away from home, and started discovering film for myself. I owe so much to my mentor, Nancy Sorel, who guided me through my move to Vancouver and helped me believe in myself. Her support set me on the path to building a life as an actor. The start was challenging, but I learned that small, consistent steps lead somewhere meaningful. Looking back, I feel immense gratitude for the people I met, the friends I made, and the experiences that shaped me into a working actor, producer, and even now getting into stunts. Acting did not feel like something I chose at first, it felt like something that kept choosing me until I stopped resisting. I approach characters by stepping into their shoes, studying their motivations and bringing them to life without judgment. And even before fully committing I was drawn to storytelling, human behavior, and psychology. Once I embraced acting, it became less about proving anything and more about listening to the character, immersing myself in the scene, and living truthfully in the moment.
What’s your entry point when beginning to bring a role to life?
Empathy and text analysis are always my entry points. Writers are brilliant as they give clues to how a person behaves, or how they talk, or how they handle their emotions. Also, having a strong objective is key. I spend a lot of time understanding what the character’s needs are, what’s at stake, and their emotional state.
Can your approach shift with the medium or scale of the roles?
Film invites restraint and internal life, larger formats may allow more physical, or expressive choices. The medium also absolutely changes the scale. But not the core. Regardless of the scale, my compass is always psychological truth and truly creating real life moments.
How do you protect all you give to your work to make sure the reward is as high as the stakes are?
I give fully while I am working, but I don’t personally carry characters indefinitely. I try to protect my nervous system and separate myself once they tell me I’m wrapped for the day. Especially if it’s really heavy, I think it’s hard on us if we continue to carry it through and I just make sure I give myself enough time to prep, before jumping into heavy scenes. This allows me to return open, present and grounded each time without being mentally drained. Sustainability matters to me. The goal isn’t to burn out for a performance, it’s to build a body of work I can stand behind emotionally and creatively.
This film’s writer drew on his own experience of wu-shu. Having started to produce yourself as well, whether more loosely or directly-based, are there any talents like that you have you could use for a plot?
So very cool! I love when stories draw from lived experience. It gives them an honesty you can really feel. I am especially drawn to stories that explore where strength and vulnerability intersect, and how people navigate pressure, complexity, and identity beneath the surface. As a producer, I’m interested in creating work with real emotional depth, but I’ve also had some good feedback from some comedies that we made last year, so who knows! Maybe there are more comedies on the horizon too. I do enjoy projects that feel grounded and leave an impact on the audience. My own background has given me a strong curiosity about human behavior, resilience and transformation. And those themes naturally find their way into the kinds of stories I am drawn to. I do have a few ideas in development but I will keep those a secret for now.
Be it things already in motion or still only in promise, is there anything you are excited about?
I’m really excited for some of the projects I’ve already worked on to make their way to the screen this year, whether that’s in a theatre or simply turning on the TV and letting the work come to life that is always a special feeling! I’m very much looking forward to finishing a few co-produced films from last year, and starting to develop new projects for the year ahead. I am just really excited to keep growing both in front of the camera and as a producer, and to collaborate together with people who share the same drive to create and aren't afraid to take risks. For me this year is about depth over volume, choosing work that challenges me and stays with you.
