Jessica Rothe Talks Happy Death Day 3, New Horror Film RIVER, and Finding Humanity in Horror

Jessica Rothe is no stranger to horror movies that blend terrifying situations with deeply human stories. Best known for playing Tree Gelbman in Blumhouse’s Happy Death Day franchise, the actress is exploring a different side of the genre with her latest horror film, RIVER.

Rothe opened up about the possibility of returning for Happy Death Day 3, connecting with the complicated family dynamics at the heart of RIVER, the physical demands of filming in water, and why horror can be the perfect vehicle for exploring some of life’s darkest emotions during NYCC.

Jessica Rothe Opens Up About Happy Death Day 3

Fans have been waiting for news about a potential third Happy Death Day film, and Rothe revealed that conversations about the next chapter have already taken place.

“We actually met up in April. We talked about the third movie,” Rothe shared, explaining that she and filmmaker Christopher Landon discussed the story and how their own lives have changed over time.

For Rothe, revisiting Tree Gelbman years later presents an opportunity to explore a character who may find herself somewhere very different from where she once imagined.

“Our lives don’t always go the way that we think they’re going to go, and sometimes that’s in an amazing way. Sometimes it’s in a heartbreaking way. It’s usually a mixed bag,” she explained.

Rothe believes that seeing Tree later in life could open the door to a new set of emotional experiences, from questioning her life choices to experiencing a quarter-life crisis or even a sexual awakening.

“Really getting to revisit Tree later in her life and see where she’s gone and if that was where she expected her life to be,” Rothe said, is an “exciting and evocative” place from which to explore the character.

Although the conversation offers an encouraging glimpse into the creative discussions surrounding Happy Death Day 3, it does not confirm that the film has officially received a green light.

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Why RIVER Resonated

In RIVER, Rothe explores a different kind of fear, one rooted in family, grief, and the complicated relationships that can shape our lives.

The actress explained that she looks for something personally relatable in every character she portrays, even when the character’s circumstances are far removed from her own.

“That’s something I definitely look for in all of the characters that I play,” Rothe said. “What is the part of this character that’s experiencing something that I can really relate to in my life?”

For RIVER, that connection came through its sibling dynamics.

As the eldest of three siblings, Rothe related to the experience of returning home and suddenly feeling like her younger self again, surrounded by familiar family patterns.

“Every time I go home, I’m suddenly like 15 again,” she shared, describing how those dynamics can resurface even as people grow older.

She sees that experience as something audiences can recognize in their own lives, making the film’s horror elements an especially interesting way to examine family relationships.

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Jessica Rothe Explains Why Horror Can Explore Deeper Human Emotions

Rothe believes horror offers filmmakers a unique opportunity to explore difficult subjects while giving audiences the thrills and intensity they expect from the genre.

She pointed out that a traditional family drama about siblings dealing with the death of their father might not attract the same audience as a slasher movie built around a similar premise.

But introduce a killer, suspense, and terrifying situations, and audiences may be more willing to take that emotional journey.

“If you say, ‘Do you want to go see this crazy slasher movie about three siblings dealing with death, but also there’s this killer and all these things happen,’” Rothe explained, “there’s a higher buy-in.”

That combination allows horror to examine complicated relationships, grief, fear, and other difficult emotions without sacrificing the entertainment audiences come to see.

For Rothe, the genre’s appeal lies in its ability to make room for both terror and catharsis.

The Physical Challenges of Filming RIVER

Creating an authentic performance in RIVER required Rothe to push herself physically, particularly during scenes filmed in the water.

The actress explained that swimming on camera is difficult to fake, even when performers have flotation equipment available between takes.

Because of her costume, she couldn’t use flotation devices during filming. Between takes, the crew would bring her a small buoy so she could rest while floating on the river.

Eventually, she reached a point of genuine exhaustion.

“It was a gift,” Rothe said, explaining that audiences can often tell when an onscreen performance doesn’t feel authentic.

“The opportunity to be immersed in the elements in a way that helps build story is unbelievable,” she added.

Rothe also revealed that she isn’t naturally a strong swimmer, which made preparation especially important. Before filming, she asked for swimming lessons so she could build the stamina needed to spend hours in the water.

Her goal wasn’t simply to make her character look convincing. She also wanted to be physically prepared to handle the demanding schedule and allow the production to capture as many takes as possible.

“I want, you know, I’m a glutton and I want as many takes as humanly possible,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to getting the shots right.

Practical Horror Effects

While horror movies can look terrifying on screen, the reality of filming them often involves some particularly messy practical effects.

When asked about a behind-the-scenes secret from RIVER, Rothe didn’t hesitate to reveal one unpleasant detail.

“Fake blood is really sticky,” she said. “It’s like really sticky and really gross.”

However, she explained that the discomfort often fades once the cameras start rolling.

Before a scene begins and after the director calls cut, performers may be very aware of the fake blood, smoke, and other effects surrounding them. But in the middle of a take, that awareness can disappear as the actors become immersed in the scene.

Rothe described the experience as a kind of creative magic that develops between the actors, cinematographer, and other people working on the production.

“When you can feel that dance with the cinematographer, with your scene partner, with the masked killer, like we get lost in the magic, too,” she said.

That collaborative experience, she explained, was one of her favorite aspects of making RIVER.

How Happy Death Day Changed Jessica Rothe’s Career

Looking back at her career, Rothe credits Happy Death Day with helping launch an important new chapter in her life.

The film introduced her to a wider horror audience and helped establish her as a memorable presence in the genre. It also allowed her to form lasting relationships with filmmaker Christopher Landon, producer Jason Blum, and the creative team behind the movie.

“Happy Death Day probably… really was the beginning of a new chapter for me,” Rothe said.

Beyond developing Tree Gelbman as a character, the experience helped Rothe discover new aspects of herself as a performer and learn more about filmmaking.

The production also gave her the opportunity to shoot in New Orleans, a city she enthusiastically described as one of the greatest in the world.

Between filming, Rothe enjoyed the city’s famous beignets and went on ghost tours with the team, joking about how haunted New Orleans seemed to be.

Her affection for the original film is clear, and her reflections on Tree’s future suggest that there is still plenty of emotional territory she would be excited to explore if Happy Death Day 3 moves forward.

What’s Next?

From revisiting one of her most beloved characters to exploring the darker family relationships in RIVER, Rothe continues to gravitate toward stories that balance genre thrills with recognizable human experiences.

Her comments offer fans a glimpse into the conversations surrounding Happy Death Day 3, while her work on RIVER demonstrates why horror remains such a compelling space for exploring grief, family, and personal transformation.

Whether she’s facing a masked killer or confronting the complicated realities of growing up, Rothe is interested in characters who feel human beneath the horror.