'Sin City' Star Alexa PenaVega Describes the Apocalypse in Her Rapture-Inspired Film 'The Remaining'
Actress Alexa PenaVega discussed the end times as they are found in the new rapture-inspired film "The Remaining" this week.
In theaters Sept. 5, "The Remaining" is based on Revelation 8-9 and follows a group of friends who are celebrating a wedding when apocalyptic events leave them fighting for their lives. At first, different beliefs divide the group, but the catastrophic events eventually lead them to a church where they must choose between redemption and survival. While the film did not change PenaVega's views on the story found in Revelation, the actress admitted its many complexities, for both believers and non-believers alike.
"I don't want people to be confused, because for a long time people were calling the things coming and attacking us [in the book of Revelation] demons," PenaVega told The Christian Post. "I don't know how to correct people, I don't know what the creatures are called but they certainly aren't demons. In the Bible, they are described as things that essentially God sends down to torture the people who are left - it sounds horrible! But that's the balance I try to find. How do you explain this to people who don't quite understand, and do it in a way that doesn't turn them away, but brings them closer?"
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"When you watch the film, it does just that," the actress added. "The rapture is not a happy joyous time, not an easy time. They did a really good job as far as making the film scary and recreating words from the Bible."
PenaVega stars in "The Remaining" as Skyler, a naïve bride who quickly comes to terms with why she and her friends were left behind on Earth. After citing her strong Christian faith, the actress explained what drew her to the role.
"All the characters had such a misunderstanding of what we are supposed to be doing here on Earth, and it really drew me in," PenaVega began. "My character specifically, Skyler, had this transformation that I loved. She started off as someone who went to church, but was her faith really there?"
The "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" actress went on to applaud "The Remaining" for being relatable for young people, while also creating an environment for thought about the Bible. In fact, PenaVega hopes that the film will lead all audiences, Christian or otherwise, to a greater understanding of the Bible, in addition to offering a quality scare.
"For people who are faith-filled, it will impact them in a way where they are going to want to dive in even more, which I love," the actress told CP. "Maybe the people with questions who aren't committed, the film will commit them. Honestly, I love that it's so universal - most people love a good scare, wherever you're from. They work in any language all through the world. It's scary either way, and it has such a universal audience."
Directed by Casey La Scala, "The Remaining" also stars Johnny Pacar, Shaun Sipos and Bryan Dechart. The film is rated PG-13 and will release to theaters nationwide on Friday, Sept. 5.
