A young woman learns that her mother committed multiple murders while undergoing an exorcism, and she travels to Rome with a film crew on a mission to uncover the truth about that horrific incident in this found-footage-style possession shocker from director William Brent Bell. As a young girl, Isabella Rossi (Fernanda Andrade) had been led to believe that the killings were committed after her mother flew into a psychotic rage. But when Isabella finds evidence indicating that an exorcism was being conducted on her mother at the time, she enlists a film crew to follow her to Italy in search of the truth. In order to gain a better understanding of the spiritual plight that her mother endured, Isabella and her crew attend a series of unsanctioned exorcisms that become increasingly terrifying.

We caught up with actor, Simon Quarterman who plays "Ben" in The Devil Inside.

Horror News Network: How did you land the role of Ben in Devil Inside? What drew you to the role?

Simon Quarterman: I was in the uk at the time and got a call from my manager here in LA to put myself on tape. At that time I had no script, just a couple of pages from one of the exorcisms. I just couldn't get the lines into my head and at that time in my career, I was pretty frustrated with everything. I sort of gave up on it, but my girlfriend at the time wrote all the lines on idiot cards around the room and I just blasted a take out and sent it off to America. 3 weeks later I had the part, they sent me the script and I absolutely loved it. So, I didn't know much about the role until that time - but I found the whole concept and the character fresh and exciting.

Horror News Network: Ben seems to be pretty conflicted between his faith and the organization of the Catholic Church. How did you prepare for the role?

Simon Quarterman: One of the main things I looked at was the ritual of an exorcism. I really wanted to be well educated on the subject, so much so, that I could play more during the exorcisms themselves. I knew the style would be loose and had space for improvisation, so my basic thinking was more knowledge, more power. Learning many excerpts from the rites of exorcism really helped during those scenes in order to give them pace, intensity and freedom. That was my jump off point really and to some extent, my own thoughts of organized religion mirrored Ben's frustration with the church, so that was my other.

Horror News Network: Some of the scenes where the priests are performing the exorcisms are pretty intense. What was it like shooting the actual exorcism scenes?

Simon Quarterman: Exactly that - intense! Brent really wanted the exorcisms to feel like a war scene from "Saving Private Ryan", manic, intense and unpredictable. Coupled with the scientific aspect of vitals being monitored at all points, I really believe we achieved that. It was tough filming them as we all had to hit certain points, so we all had to be on the same page with pacing the scene, otherwise it could've descended into incoherency. The exorcism scenes were by far the hardest scenes to film and ones we had to get right.

Horror News Network: Do you, personally, believe in demonic possessions/exorcisms?

Simon Quarterman: The process certainly got me thinking about it. I'd never really given it a second thought until filming started and I'm still thinking about it to this day. I'm not sure is my honest answer.

Horror News Network: The Devil Inside drew $17 million on opening day. Are you surprised with the success?

Simon Quarterman: Yes and no. Of course $17 million dollars is unprecedented with any movie in January, but I also think it's indicative of the public's interest in this form of filmmaking. Personally, I've always had high hopes for this film - I believed in it from day one and I still do now. I really think it's a great film.

Horror News Network: The ending, without giving too much away here, has been talked about a lot. I thought it was the logical conclusion to the film. What are your thoughts on it?

Simon Quarterman: Personally, I love it. The thing to remember, is that this film was born independently and not from a studio. In the independent film world, an ending like this would be applauded to some degree and completely accepted. As our film has been marketed by a hollywood studio, with a wider demographic, I think people were expecting the story to tied up in a completely different manner. Hence the, well, anger in some cases!

Horror News Network: The documentary style filming and grittiness of the film are very unique for what movie audiences are used to from Hollywood. When you first saw the finished film, what was your reaction?

Simon Quarterman: I first saw the film around a year ago when we were seeking a studio to take it on - or looking for any type of future for it, for that matter. I really was blown by it to be honest, it felt so different and visceral and the audience of 300 people watching it, by and large, felt exactly the same way. An incredible amount of love and work has gone into the film. I was proud of it then and I'm proud of it now.

Horror News Network: In closing, what would you like to say to our readers about The Devil Inside?

Simon Quarterman: The thing I'd say, is that if you do go watch it, which I really hope you do, go in with a decision to make your own mind up about the film and go with it. You could be in for a really wonderful surprise.

Horror News Network: Thanks for taking the time, Simon! Best of luck to you. Have a comment? Post it here.