The TikTok Larry David on His Role in 'Weapons'

A Rising Star in the Horror Genre

Clayton Farris, an actor based in Los Angeles, has spent nearly two decades in the entertainment industry. With over 400,000 followers on TikTok, he's known for his short, sharp comedy sketches that often mirror the style of Larry David. However, Farris is now making waves in a different genre—horror. His recent credits include roles in American Horror Story, Maxxxine, and Weapons, which was released on August 8 and received widespread praise.

Weapons, directed by Zach Cregger, the creator of Barbarian, is a horror mystery thriller centered around the disappearance of 17 children from a suburban town. The film features Julia Garner as Justine Gandy, Josh Brolin as Archer Graff, and Benedict Wong as Andrew Marcus. Farris plays Terry, the husband of Andrew Marcus, in a role that he was personally selected for by the film’s producers. His performance is both memorable and impactful, adding depth to the film’s narrative.

A Dream Role for a Comedy Veteran

Farris describes landing the role of Terry as a "dream come true." He has long been a fan of Cregger's work, especially his critically acclaimed debut Barbarian. “I was a huge fan,” he said. “And I was, like, what a dream it would be to be in a movie like this. You know, in a movie that's this cool, this surprising.”

He went on to explain how he researched everything about Cregger before getting the role. “I do that as a movie fan, researching who's involved and where this came from. That's why it's so special that I get to have a role in this movie.” Farris also praised Cregger, calling him “the coolest dude ever” and highlighting how he brings together talented people to create something unique.

The Intersection of Comedy and Horror

Interestingly, both Farris and Cregger come from a comedy background. Farris was part of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U’Know, and he sees a strong connection between comedy and horror. “A good comedy is taking your emotions and just turning them up to a 10,” he explained. “It's finding those simple things and really elevating, playing up the emotion. And I think with horror, it's the same thing. It's just everything's turned up a notch.”

He added that when doing comedy, you’re not self-conscious about being silly or strange. “And I think when it comes to horror, you kind of have to use that same skill, because you can't be self-conscious about being scared or showing those emotions.”

Playing a Memorable Character

In his role as Terry, Farris focused on making the character immediately likable. “With Terry, I knew that it's important for the audience to really like him immediately before we go on the journey that he goes on to get the most impact out of the character. So I really wanted to show up authentically.”

He also worked alongside Benedict Wong, who plays Andrew Marcus in the film. Farris described Wong as “so cool on set” and noted that the actor is also a talented DJ. During the Weapons premiere after-party, Wong performed using bubble guns, which Farris found amusing.

Representation and Identity

As someone who identifies as queer, Farris emphasizes the importance of representation in media. “Anytime you get to see yourself reflected on screen, it's useful,” he said. He also cited Tim Curry, star of Clue and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, as one of his queer icons. “I really look up to people like that. They're just unique. They're not like everyone else.”

Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

Despite his success, Farris has struggled with impostor syndrome throughout his career. “The truth is, I've lived in L.A. for 17 years and I've busted my a--. I'm in acting class every week. I have like over 100 credits, but even still, I'm like, 'This is a mistake. I shouldn't be here.'”

However, he finds solace in the creative community. “When you just realize that actually you're surrounded by people who are creatives just like you, and they're just wanting to have fun and tell a story. And all it is is getting a big group of creative people mashed together to make something silly.”

Social Media and Future Projects

Farris maintains a strong social media presence, particularly on TikTok and Instagram. “I like being a little break in people's feed when they're scrolling through and it's like 'doom,' 'dread,' and then it's like, 'Oh, here's a little pop of comedy.'” He encourages others to create content that is fun and authentic.

Farris recently appeared in the 2020 horror comedy Road Head, which was rereleased and is available on Amazon Prime. He is currently working on a new horror project in Atlanta, continuing his journey in the genre. Weapons is now playing in theaters, and fans can follow his work on social media.