We often hear about sibling rivalry… but what about sibling unity? In the case of Madeleine and her younger sister Violet McGraw, they share a bond that overcomes any trivial bickering. Starting their career as actresses very young, and in a short period, each has already compiled an impressive resume. Recognizable for various roles, Madeleine’s credits include the voice of Bonnie in 2019’s Toy Story 4, as well as a starring role in 2021’s The Black Phone, while Violet has starred in everything from the popular Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House to 2023’s M3GAN.
Two rising stars, now in 2024 the sisters have their first opportunity to work on a film together; teaming up as onscreen siblings in the new Horror film The Curse of the Necklace. A film that debuted in theaters on September 27th, and became available digitally as of October 1st, grab some popcorn and get comfortable… because it is a perfect way to prepare for the Halloween season. Excited for the chance to work together, and continue to star in Horror films, Madeleine and Violet McGraw took some time to chat about their journey in entertainment, the positive impact of their family, plus more.
Cryptic Rock – You have been involved in film and television for some time. Starting quite young, how would you describe your journey thus far in entertainment?
Madeleine McGraw – We both love Horror so much. It was not hard to really want to do The Curse of the Necklace. It’s funny, with the amount of Horror that we’ve done, I’ve never gotten to do most of the things I got to do in The Curse of the Necklace. I got to do so many things that I’ve never gotten to do before. The stunts were so fun. All of the practical effects were very fun. It was all just very thrilling and all around a very, very exciting experience.
Cryptic Rock – That is fantastic to hear. As you stated, you have done Horror in the past. To name a few, Madeleine, you starred in 2021’s The Black Phone, and Violet, you starred in The Haunting of Hill House, as well as 2023’s M3GAN. Was it exciting for you to be full force in a leading role in a Horror movie like this?
Violet McGraw – Very fun and very exciting. It was even more fun that we got to do it with each other; because it has been our dream to work with each other since we started acting. It was literally our 2024 goal! We did not think it was going to happen, to be honest.
Madeleine McGraw – Yeah, we didn’t think it would happen. Honestly, I think we manifested it because we said to everyone who asked us what our 2024 goal was on red carpets, and just in general, it was to be in a movie with my sister… or to work with my sister in general. The fact that it happened, I feel like we made that universe. We manifested that.
Cryptic Rock – It’s exciting that you can see that dream become a reality. Ironically, you play sisters in The Curse of the Necklace. What was it like having your real bond and chemistry as real-life siblings, going into playing siblings on screen?
Madeleine McGraw – It’s funny because I feel like our real bond didn’t really get to show on screen. Obviously, I feel like you could see the chemistry with us though.
Violet McGraw – Definitely could. Judith and Ellen fought for most of the movie.
Madeleine McGraw – Yeah, they fight a lot. Violet and I don’t really fight, if at all, if ever. There are little things. We have those typical sister disagreements with makeup and stuff like that.
Violet McGraw – Just stupid little things. Yeah.
Madeleine McGraw – Getting to physically throw her and stuff was not something that I thought I would ever get to do without getting in trouble. The fact that I got to do that was very fun. It was an adventure for sure.
Cryptic Rock – That is very interesting to hear. As you said, you two get along well as real-life siblings, and that is a very good thing. In The Curse of the Neckless, you are part of a dysfunctional family. This family has many issues, probably something you are not familiar with in your real home life. Your co-star, Henry Thomas, speaks very highly of how your family raises you both. What was it like putting yourself in that headspace of your two characters?
Madeleine McGraw – Our parents, as you said, Henry’s very right. They take such good care of us.
Violet McGraw – They’re so supportive.
Madeleine McGraw – Yes they are so supportive. They keep us very humble. They make sure that we’re always grateful, genuinely kind, and respectful to everyone we work with, but also, to each other as siblings. These are the only siblings we will have… so we should appreciate them.
Violet McGraw – Yeah.
Madeleine McGraw – Having to be in that headspace of our parents going through a divorce and everything in this movie, I just had to put myself in my character’s shoes and envision how that would feel.
I don’t want to let anyone down that’s going through that. In my opinion, I think Judith is rebelling because of everything that’s going on. She feels like she’s had to take care of everyone in her life, especially Ellen. I feel like she’s kind of growing sick of it. I feel like she just wants to grow up and leave. Especially since she doesn’t have that male figure in her life, I feel like she seeks that male attention because her dad’s not really a part of her life anymore. He wasn’t really ever. That’s why she’s sneaking off with this boy and everything.
Violet McGraw – Ellen, I feel like she is a very sweet little girl who loves both her parents very much and loves her dad so much. She loves it when he’s over. Sadly, they’re going through some tough times with their parents right now. Like Maddie said, Ellen’s very alone, so she feels like she has to grow up faster and be more mature. It’s actually very sad.
Cryptic Rock – It certainly is sad. As you know, you are only young once. Sometimes, when you are living in the middle of it… it is hard to realize such things until you are older.
Madeleine McGraw – Exactly. That’s why I feel like you have to wake up every day so grateful and just appreciative that you have such a, or at least us, we have such a great life. I wake up every day thinking, “I’m so grateful for all my friends, all my family, and all the people who just care and love me so much.”
Violet McGraw – Our dog!
Madeleine McGraw – Yeah. Our dog, sure.
Cryptic Rock – Well, it is very positive to hear your grounded perspectives. You both said that you are fans of Horror films. What was your first introduction to the genre, and what are some of your favorites?
Madeleine McGraw – That is such a hard question. For me, I’d say either the original Scream (1996) or Scream VI (2023). I love the entire Scream series so, so much. I will rewatch that whenever. With any of those movies, I would just turn it on in the background. It’s like a comfort movie for me. I don’t know why. I love Murder Mysteries. Murder Mystery is my favorite genre to watch
It would be crazy to get to do something with Murder Mystery; because I feel like I have so many favorite Murder Mystery movies. With Horror, it’s impossible to choose. I like any of the Scream movies, but I also like It (2017) and It Chapter 2 (2019). I love the types of Horror movies that have some comedy in them and keep things a little more upbeat.
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