We Speak Actors
Rising star Evan Hengst on his “rocket-powered” role in new film ‘Novocaine’
South African actor Evan Hengst’s star is on the rise. His latest role is chaos-fuelled Ben in action-comedy movie ‘Novocaine’, which also stars Jack Quaid from ‘The Boys’. ‘Novocaine’ is about Nate (played by Quaid) who becomes a superhero when he uses his inability to feel pain to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend. Evan, who studied at Act Cape Town before beginning his acting career in the theatre, tells us about training for fight scenes, playing cops and robbers, and getting in the headspace of a maniac…
Tell us more about your role in ‘Novocaine’?
“Ben is a rocket-powered rage train fuelled by a love of chaos. Whatever he chooses to do, he’s going to cause as much mayhem as he can and enjoy every second of it. He’s that guy in the bar nobody wants to mess with because he’ll buy you a tequila, right before biting your ear off. Which was a joy to play, because I’m actually a big softy! I almost lost the role because I was working on three different projects at the time, so scheduling all the training and stunt rehearsals was a challenge. It’s truly miraculous how we managed to make it work out.”

What was your experience working on the film?
“Getting to work alongside such an extraordinary cast and crew was a dream come true. We were all just a bunch of kids playing cops and robbers, but with a lot more gore.”
“The directors Robert Olsen and Dan Berk cultivated such an infectious, fun and collaborative space on set from the get-go.”
“From the cast to the crew, the excitement was palpable and you could feel what we were making was going to be a really wild ride.”
What did you do to prepare for the role?
“It’s definitely the most physical role I’ve done to date and I was blessed to be given a whole team of trainers and coordinators to guide me. I annihilated so many chicken breasts to turn me into a tank, and got my ass handed to me by the stunt coordinators for a few hours each day. Lots of personal training and sparring sessions to get me moving like a fighter, and then I played video games – I played a lot of Grand Theft Auto 5 to prepare myself for robbing banks! I made this really wild playlist of country, German oompa, heavy metal and classical music to create a constant circus in my head. I also watched the movie ‘Heat’ about five times just to get a feel of the shootout scene.”
What was it like being involved in such an intense fight scene?
“‘Slow means flow’ was in my head every day for six weeks.”
“We would run through the scene meticulously piece by piece and in the end put it together like a beautiful dance.”
“It was an incredibly humbling experience to go through. My mind and body were pushed to the limit and was shown what I was truly capable of doing.”
What was your favourite moment on set?
“Being with Jack [Quaid] on his birthday. We filmed our big fight scene that day and were both exhausted between takes, but the crew got him a beautiful cake to celebrate. We both were on strict meal plans at the time and he was being extremely disciplined, but I managed to convince him to have a few slices. The satisfaction on his face was priceless.”

Who would enjoy watching this film?
“Anyone who likes action, romance and comedy with a touch of sadism and a great underdog story. For people who happen to be a bit squeamish about blood, this might cure you once and for all. Or maybe not!”
What does the future hold for you?
“I have a film coming out called ‘A Kind of Madness’, which I’m really excited about – it’s released in South Africa on 11 April. My focus is on building my career internationally and finding the right people to give me the opportunities to be a part of the stories I want to tell. I think South Africa has such untapped talent and I want the chance to show the world what we have to offer.”
‘Novocaine’ is released in US cinemas today (14 March) and is out in the UK on 28 March
Featured photo credit: Chris Pizzello, Invision
We Speak Actors
‘All’s Fair’’ actress Adlih Alvarado on her significant role in the TV series and her success in filmmaking
‘All’s Fair’, starring Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash, and Kim Kardashian, continues to generate buzz for its powerhouse cast and compelling storytelling. Among the notable performances in the series is actress Adlih Alvarado, whose appearance marks an important milestone in her acting career. Alongside her on-screen work, Adlih is also making waves behind the camera as a filmmaker, bringing a multifaceted creative perspective to her projects. We caught up with her to discuss her experience on ‘All’s Fair’, working opposite industry icons, and her growing success in filmmaking.
Adlih, how did it feel seeing yourself in the recently released episode of ‘All’s Fair’, appearing opposite Sarah Paulson and Naomi Watts?
It felt really surreal — almost like I was watching someone else with my skin acting for me! I replayed the episode so many times because I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. All the anticipation leading up to the episode made it even more exciting. I’ve learned so much from them. I’m obsessed with David Lynch, so finally meeting Naomi — and acting with her — felt like being in the clouds with the stars aligned. And Sarah… I’ve followed her work for years. Every American Horror Story season is burned into my brain. I aspire to be as versatile as she is. They were both incredibly kind and supportive. After we wrapped, Sarah double high-fived me and told me I did a good job — and honestly, no one can ever take that moment away from me.
Can you tell us more about your scene and what the experience was like behind the scenes?
Behind the scenes, it was a lot of fun. Whenever I wasn’t on camera, they offered to take me back to my holding room, but I wanted to stay in the chaos and watch everyone work. It was raining both days, and they even gave me cute rain boots. On the second day, I felt much more relaxed, especially since I didn’t have lines and was simply present in the scene. While everyone was setting up, I finally met Glenn Close, and everyone asked about my name, which felt like a small but special moment. I really wanted to observe, learn, and absorb how big productions operate. Being on a set like that was incredibly valuable.
You’re also a filmmaker — can you share more about your projects in that field?
Yes, I’m also a filmmaker. I studied acting at NYFA, but I really learned filmmaking through creating my own projects and collaborating with friends on theirs. That hands-on experience shaped how I see stories and how they’re built.
“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has taught me along the way — from wardrobe and set design to building sets.”
I’m also a special effects makeup artist, which gives me another strong connection to the behind-the-camera world. Being on both sides of production helps me feel comfortable with the crew and understand the overall flow of a shoot.

How does your work as a filmmaker influence or support your acting?
It’s a bit of a 50/50 clash. When I’m acting in my own projects, I’m already thinking about the editing room and how the story will come together. My process can look chaotic to others, but I know exactly what I want.
“When I’m acting on someone else’s project, it gives me more freedom. I can explore different choices and layers without worrying about the technical side.”
It feels like stepping into the upside-down version of the same world — but it fuels my creativity.
What’s next for you in filmmaking?
Right now, I’m focused on finishing my film ‘Blu Milk’ and getting it ready for the market — it’s definitely my biggest project so far. I also have a feature film written called ‘Where the Fish Sleep’, which I’d love to start shopping around. My short film ‘Espresso’ is finished and will be hitting festivals in early 2026. It’s my first romantic film and takes place during a chemistry read for an upcoming superhero movie. I wrote, directed, produced, edited, and acted in it — I wore all the hats on that one!
Featured photo credit: Talia Bonanno
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