According to the crew's sharing, the filming setting also contributes to creating special pressure when being filmed in a real house, where the homeowner is still living.
The closed space, dim light, incense smoke and props with spiritual colors make many actors always in a state of tension. Some people admit to feeling "tracked" or insecure when entering the setting, even though they know they are participating in a film project.
In particular, ritual segments such as reciting spells, lighting candles, performing ancient rituals are recorded live in real space, making the boundary between acting and personal emotions even more fragile. The psychology of "having worship is sacred, having abstinence is blessed" is mentioned by many film crew members as a natural reflex in the working process.
Actress Le Khanh said that she used to feel chills when having to read spells in strange languages in the dark space. Although clearly aware that this is a job, the actress still cannot avoid feeling worried and afraid of "doing wrong" in rituals.
Meanwhile, Tin Nguyen - who is originally a talkative person - also had to change her attitude when working. She said that she is no longer comfortable joking as usual, instead she is highly focused and keeps silent on the film set. "Everyone talks quietly, the atmosphere is very different from previous projects," the actress shared.
Precisely from prolonged psychological pressure, many actors said they took time to "escape roles" after each filming day. However, the crew affirmed that maintaining discipline and a serious attitude is not to encourage superstition, but to ensure respect for the spiritual cultural material exploited in the film.
A representative of the producer said that the rituals in the film are researched from folk culture, with creativity suitable for cinematic language, without directly copying any specific religious rituals.
The movie "Ma Xo" was made by director Phan Ba Hy, bringing together a cast of actors including Le Khanh, Tin Nguyen, Avin Lu and Hanh Thuy. The film is expected to premiere nationwide from June 5, 2026.
