Broward Girl Hits Big Screen in Horror Flick

A Fort Lauderdale girl can be seen nationwide as the star in a movie coming out Friday

A Fort Lauderdale girl can be seen nationwide as the star in a movie coming out Friday.

In "Don't be Afraid of the Dark," 11-year-old Bailee Madison plays a young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend. There, she discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own.

"It was hard for me, but it was definitely a new experience," Madison said. "I've learned so much by playing Sally."

You may recognize the local girl from her last big screen hit, "Just go with it," but this movie isn't like the heart-warming comedy. Madison is starring in a genuine horror flick.

"It was different. It was definitely a challenge for me," Madison said. "It was hard. It was definitely work, but at the same time it was something new for me and I didn't want to be in the same place always."

On set in Australia, Madison said she met her favorite co-star to date, Katie Holmes.

"She is one of the nicest people - so loving, so kind, very talented,” she said. “She made such a dark experience, such a dark movie, and turned the set into a fun place whether is was singing in between takes to try and get the scariness away from it, or dance parties, or painting, or trying to find good cupcake spots."

The 11-year-old's secret to making a scary movie is to just pretend the cameras, trailers, and Kraft services aren't there.

"Just really just become that character," Madison said. "It's really hard to just turn off. It was kinda scary. There were days that I did feel scared."

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