It’s a wide mixture of emotions for actress Chloe Rose as her biggest movie yet gets sent out into the world. Having first premiered at Sundance, and then in her hometown at the Toronto International Film Festival, the supernatural indie horror Hellions is now in wide release, with Rose having a chance to reflect on a novel experience.

“I would like to watch it with a completely anonymous group,” says Rose about a film that features her in every scene. “It’s cool to watch and pick up on different things. Being there every day on set, I really want to be part of the whole process. So I look at the final product and see things that I didn’t see before that maybe I was done in post.”

Hellions was shot across many weeks around Hamilton, Ontario, with Rose commuting everyday from Toronto. Directed by Bruce McDonald (Pontypool)¸a fair portion of the film was shot during the day in infrared, as the central character Dora finds herself plagued by titular hellish minions while alone at home on Halloween.

“It was my first lead in a movie, the most focused on me,” explains Rose. “I felt a sense of responsibility, and had to step up. I did my best to prepare; I prepped as much as I could. I would get stressed at certain points, but there was a certain trust between Bruce and I.”

After her family goes trick-or-treating, Dora, who has suddenly found out she is pregnant and is forced to cope with those consequences, soon becomes the target of masked children running amok. Her world becomes one full of terror, and Dora runs around in fear, while also trying to figure out what is going on and stand up to fight back.

It was certainly the most demanding production Rose has ever been a part of.”I was exhausted by the end of it, I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into,” says Rose. “I learned to find those five minutes of break time. The most challenging part was the prep beforehand. I’d come home from a long day, and then tomorrow I’d have this scene and I haven’t even looked at it, but I’m so tired. I’m staying awake to prep for the next day, and then getting up at 4 a.m. or whatever it was.”

“I enjoyed the work I was doing, it wasn’t ‘ugh, I don’t want to do it.’ I have to do it, I’m enjoying it, but I’m exhausted.”

Having become well known for her role on Degrassi: The Next Generation, the 20-year-old actress looks to have more coming up as she continues her young career. While keeping an eye on the future, Rose is quick to take advantage of every opportunity. “It only last this amount of time,” she says of the Hellions shot.” You can’t say no, you can’t stop. You can’t not go over the edge. You have to do it. It ends up paying off.”