Author: Shaudi Bianca Vahdat
Actor, filmmaker and visual artist Lizet Benrey, who plays Maria in Glass Casa, is a true multi-hyphenate. Lizet approaches her performance work with a grounded honesty, while leaving room for mystery and the unknown. She was kind enough to share her experience working on Glass Casa, opening up about Maria’s world, her love of surreal roles, and how one unforgettable moment—floating in a freezing pool—became a turning point in her journey as an actor.
Light spoilers ahead for Glass Casa.
On her unique role in Glass Casa
How did you land the role of Maria?
I auditioned! And it was in Spanish, which is my first language, so that already felt special. I hadn’t done that in a while—it was playful and familiar, and kind of grounding, you know?
Can you describe your character? There’s no one else quite like her in Glass Casa.
Maria is a spirit who lives in the house. She’s layered and mysterious—haunted and haunting. She’s been there a long time and carries so much pain, but also presence. Even when you don’t see her, she’s there. You can feel her in the silence. It’s like… she never really left.
Was this your first time playing a spirit or ghost?
Yes—especially like this. She’s not just a ghost. She used to be a telenovela actress, which added this whole other layer. Just to clarify—I didn’t work in telenovelas, but I grew up with them all around me. It’s very much part of the culture in Mexico and many other countries. So of course I know that world. And it was really fun to bring a lot of that in.
What were your first thoughts when you read the script?
I remember thinking: okay, how do I make her feel real—but also extremely dramatic? Because she’s trying to reach someone. She’s trapped. She wants out. And she’s full of emotion, right? So I was asking myself: how do I express that urgency without it becoming too much? That balance between intensity and honesty… I really loved that challenge.
Lizet in a scene from Glass Casa.
Yeah, this is one of those roles where the screen time isn’t extensive, but you have to do a lot with that screen time and with that dialogue.
Exactly. She’s only in the story for a few moments, but she’s always there. The characters are talking about her constantly. So of course, when she finally shows up, it has to matter. It had to feel like: this is the moment we’ve been waiting for.
My dad used to tell me as a child, “Every house has a little light.” And I really believe that. Maria is that light in that house—the spirit that’s still watching, still remembering, still hoping. She’s the story underneath everything.
How did the improvisation with Anthony De La Cruz come about?
We had this voiceover scene that we just… let loose on. Yelling, crying, fighting—it got really emotional, really passionate. And it felt alive. Anthony was amazing to work with. We just connected. And Laa let us go there. She encouraged us to take it further. Even though it’s a dark comedy, it still had to come from a place of truth.
On her favorite scene to shoot
Can you tell us about the pool scene? That’s such a striking shot in the film.
That scene… wow. It was so cold. The water was freezing. And I had to float completely still—like, not even a twitch. Playing dead. And weirdly, the cold helped. It put me into this strange, frozen, almost trance-like state.
And here’s the thing—our diver under me was actually the DP. Our incredibly talented DP. He was below, helping guide the shot. And I could feel him there, helping me stay centered. I didn’t want him to have to do it again and again. So I gave in. And I knew the moment we got it. There was this… stillness. This surrender.
When I came out of that water, I felt something shift. I was shaking, but also kind of buzzing. Energized. I don’t think I’ve ever let go like that on camera before. And it was beautiful.
Laa and her family turned on the jacuzzi for me right after. I was freezing, and they just took care of me. It meant so much.
On embracing the drama
What was it like to shoot the telenovela scenes?
So freeing. I had mascara running down my face, I was a mess—I mean, full meltdown. And it felt liberating. Because sometimes, as actors, we try to stay grounded. But this was like—no. Just feel it. Go all the way.
And honestly? That’s what people connect with. Those moments when you’re not thinking, when you’re not in your head—you’re just feeling, experiencing. When there’s no filter. That’s when it gets real.
On art, spirits, and the surreal
I saw that you have another role coming up where you again play a spirit. Are you particularly drawn to supernatural roles—is that a theme for you?
Apparently, yes! I don’t plan it—it just keeps happening. But I love it. I grew up in Mexico City, and surrealism was all around me. Leonora Carrington had a big influence on me. I’m also a painter, and my paintings are abstract. So I’ve always been drawn to what’s there but not quite visible… to that in-between space and spirituality.
There’s something beautiful about roles that live in that realm. They let you go deep emotionally—and they leave space for the audience to imagine, too. That sense of mystery. Of not knowing. It keeps people watching, there’s a fascination with the mystery of the unknown.
On why you should watch Glass Casa
Why do you think people will enjoy the film?
First of all, I just want to thank Laa and her family. They treated me with so much kindness and warmth—not just as an actor, but as a human. Laa is incredibly talented. Her heart is in every frame of this film, and you feel it!
The movie itself is great. It’s eerie, funny, sad, scary —just full of layers. It brings you into this world where the ordinary starts to feel… otherworldly. We’ve all been in a house where we feel like something happened there, right? Like someone’s watching? This film leans into that.
It’s emotional. It’s strange. It’s exciting.
Thank you Lizet for taking the time to chat with us!
Lizet has been busy shooting commercials and films and recently wrapped work on Greyson 2.0—a futuristic short film about robots, identity, and human connection—alongside actor Randy Davison.Stay up to date on all her latest projects by following her on Instagram and checking out her website.
And remember, Glass Casa is streaming now!
Please note: This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.