Human trafficking is profoundly dangerous for society as it perpetuates a cycle of violence, exploitation, and inequality. It preys on the most vulnerable populations, often targeting marginalized individuals, which fosters a culture of fear and helplessness. Howard J Ford’s gripping thriller ESCAPE joins the ranks of films tackling the harrowing issue of human trafficking. Starring Sarah Alexandra Marks and Sophie Rankin in key roles, the film follows the harrowing story of ten young women who are abducted from an island resort by a ruthless gang. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that these women are destined for an international trafficking ring. However, their spirit remains unbroken; they refuse to accept their fate. Determined to regain their freedom, they devise a clever plan to outsmart their captors and take back control of their lives.
The film captivates audiences primarily with its gripping storyline, but it’s the performances that truly elevate the film and highlight the severity of the situations depicted. Among the cast, Sophie Rankin stands out with her nuanced portrayal of Lucy. Her character serves as a beacon of hope for the other captives, constantly finding a way to get out of the dangerous situation. With years of experience in the industry, Sophie has delivered many strong performances, yet this role presents one of her most demanding challenges to date. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Sophie about her experience filming ESCAPE, her approach to embodying Lucy, and how she overcame all the odds to do her stunts in a terrain that was so harsh to shoot in. She also shared her opinion about her character’s resilience and how it can inspire others.
Sophie Rankin as Lucy in a still from ‘Escape’ (Photo Courtesy: The Movie Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: Congratulations on the movie ‘Escape’ but before we talk about the film. I would love to know how your journey has been in Hollywood and the entertainment industry.
Sophie Rankin: My journey began around 14 years ago. I initially took the standard route through drama school, followed by a short course in New York, where I studied film and TV acting. Gradually, I started working as an actor in London, appearing in a few films and TV shows and eventually got an agent. Then, in a rather unexpected turn, I emigrated to the Philippines and lived there for five years. During that time, I worked on numerous films and TV shows, with my films making it to the cinema, which helped put me more on the map and led to more TV work in the region. I returned to the UK about three years ago, and since then, I’ve completed 12 feature films back-to-back, which has been incredibly exciting. I’d say the last three years have been the most significant for my career so far.
Aayush Sharma: What was that first moment or instance where you thought this was it and I want to pursue a career in acting?
Sophie Rankin: I think my journey really began around age 17 when I was in college. Academic subjects never quite held my attention the way dance, drama, and P.E. did. With a background in gymnastics, I was already used to performing, so although I did well academically, I found much more enjoyment in drama. That’s when I realized acting was my true passion and decided to pursue it, even though I had little idea of how to make it happen at the time. Since then, every job has led to the next, and my training has been a big help along the way. I also have a background in modeling, which I still do, and all these experiences have gradually come together to help shape my acting career. It’s definitely been a gradual process.
Aayush Sharma: The film deals with themes of empowerment and resilience. How do you think Lucy embodies these themes, and what do you hope audiences take away from her journey?
Sophie Rankin: I think Lucy’s character is powerful in itself—she’s determined and incredibly feisty. Her background of surviving an abusive relationship and coming through it gives her a compelling depth. Her ability to express vulnerability after everything she’s been through is empowering; it shows both women and men that, no matter what they’ve endured, they can still be vulnerable and strong at the same time. Despite memories that may haunt her, Lucy has this inner strength that drives her to fight back, no matter the obstacles. It’s a message of resilience: no matter what you’ve been through, you can still come out the other side, hopefully with newfound strength.
Additionally, I think the story serves as a reminder for women to be cautious. While there are many good people in the world, there are also some who aren’t, so it’s wise to be aware of personal safety. Simple precautions, like letting someone know your location, can help keep you safe. Unfortunately, while we shouldn’t have to worry about these things, it’s realistic to be a little cautious. The story encourages this awareness—little reminders, like not getting into a car with someone you’ve just met, even if the first date went perfectly. Small messages like these are important and worth conveying.
Sophie Rankin as Lucy in a still from ‘Escape’ (Photo Courtesy: The Movie Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: How did you approach developing Lucy’s character, considering the traumatic circumstances she faces? What aspects of her personality did you find most compelling?
Sophie Rankin: I found her determination to be the most compelling aspect of her character. I also love how outspoken and direct she is—she doesn’t sugarcoat her feelings or intentions. She lives off her emotions, and I admire how she’s willing to say exactly what she thinks. Even though her dialogue is filled with bold language (probably 90% of it!), her forwardness and outspokenness are qualities I really love. To get into her persona, I imagined myself truly experiencing everything she was going through and thought about how I would respond in those situations.
As humans, we have a deep drive to survive and push through, no matter what, and I believe that instinct is embedded within us. I pictured how I might act if I were pushed to the edge with adrenaline coursing through me, and I tried to embody that determination as I portrayed what she was experiencing.
Aayush Sharma: The desert setting plays a significant role in the story. What does the desert symbolize for Lucy and the other characters, both literally and metaphorically?
Sophie Rankin: I think it symbolizes the idea that there are no limits, that anything is possible. No matter what you’ve endured or how many miles of difficult terrain you’ve crossed, anything can be achieved. It represents the concept of being limitless, especially for Lucy. Despite being warned—there’s a powerful line from Scott Hillier’s character that goes, “You’ll be hunted down like a pack of wild dogs”—she’s unwavering in her determination to escape. I find that incredibly powerful. The filming locations were breathtaking as well. Filming in the Canary Islands was amazing, as the landscape there resembles everything from the Grand Canyon to parts of Europe, creating a stunning cinematic backdrop. We also filmed in Spain and in an incredible underground fort in the UK. Altogether, the locations added so much beauty and grandeur to the visual experience. It’s truly beautiful to watch.
Aayush Sharma: Given the film’s setting in the desert and the physical challenges Lucy faces, how did you prepare physically for this role? Were there specific training or stunts involved?
Sophie Rankin: Honestly, I worked out like crazy for this role! I wish I could say that looking like that comes naturally to me, but that would be a lie. Knowing my outfits in the film would be minimal, I wanted to feel as confident and look as good as possible. So, for months before filming, I committed to a rigorous workout routine: I was doing about an hour and a half of cardio every day, along with tons of toning exercises. My diet was extremely healthy, full of protein, and I drank loads of water. Since I also have a background in gymnastics, I knew the role would require some physical demands, so I incorporated stretches to maintain my flexibility, which was especially helpful for stage combat and martial arts scenes I did. In short, I worked out like crazy!
Aayush Sharma: You’re known for performing your own stunts, which is impressive! Does that give you an adrenaline rush that motivates you to perform better? Have you always been someone who prefers to take on these challenges yourself rather than relying on others for assistance?
Sophie Rankin: Absolutely! I love doing my own stunts because it allows me to showcase all those years of gymnastics training and stage combat. If I’m given the opportunity, I enjoy fully immersing myself in the role and truly becoming that character. It was fantastic to perform my own stunts in Escape—I loved every moment of it! We did have a stunt coordinator to help choreograph the scenes, but we didn’t use stunt doubles, so we really were thrown around and thrown off the ground. I appreciated every aspect of that experience.
Aayush Sharma: What was your experience working with director Howard J. Fox and your co-star Sarah Alexandra Marks?
Sophie Rankin: Oh, that’s so lovely! I truly had the most amazing time working with Sarah. She’s incredibly talented and one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. We really became a support network for each other on set, helping each other out whenever needed. Everything she’s said about me, I’d say right back at her. If I ever felt a bit insecure—like wondering if a line sounded okay—she was always the first to reassure me. She’s such a lovely person, and we formed a really special friendship that we still share today. We’re both very supportive of each other’s careers and have even worked together on a few other films now, which has been fantastic. It’s truly a dream when you arrive on set and immediately connect with the other actors, especially with Sarah, as we were like partners in crime, doing so many scenes together. I absolutely loved working with her.
Howard J. Ford is also an incredibly talented director. I always describe him as a rare talent in the industry because he can handle nearly every aspect of filmmaking—from lighting and writing to production and directing. He works quickly and thinks on his feet, which I absolutely love. We worked well together as a team, and he allowed me a lot of creative freedom. He was always open to my opinions and ideas and was very supportive of my work. He’s truly a brilliant director, and I can’t recommend him highly enough. I also recently worked with him on a film called Dark Game, starring Ed Westwick, where I play Faye. I’d also love to mention a few other cast members. Louis James was fantastic to work with—he’s a brilliant actor and a wonderful person. He starts as the villain, but his character has a deep backstory and eventually wants to help, adding a powerful twist to the story. Stephen Murphy has a smaller role, but he was wonderful to work with as well. Honestly, every actor on this project was amazing to work with!
Sarah Alexandra Marks as Carla in Escape (Photo Credit: The Movie Partnership)
Aayush Sharma: In what ways does Lucy demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity? How do you think this resilience can inspire viewers in their own lives?
Sophie Rankin: I hope my character can inspire people by showing that you can achieve anything, no matter what life throws at you. Of course, I know it’s not always that simple, but often we tend to get caught up in our heads about things we want to pursue—whether it’s a goal or a new class we’re interested in. People can feel really nervous about stepping into something new, and I think just going for it can be such a powerful approach. It’s about not letting past experiences or even current struggles hold you back.
And yes, mental health can complicate things, and it’s not always easy, but in some cases, it can just come down to deciding, ‘I want this, I have a goal—let’s do it now and not procrastinate.’ Life is unpredictable, so if there’s something you want and you have the chance to go for it, do it now. I hope my character encourages others to take that leap and also shows that it’s okay to be outspoken, to say what you think, and to fight for what you want. You can come out the other side of difficult times stronger and ready to make your voice heard.
Rapid Fire Questions –
Aayush Sharma: Your Top 3 films of all time?
Sophie Rankin: Mean Girls, Avatar, and Tomb Raider
Aayush Sharma: Three directors you would want to work with?
Sophie Rankin: Greta Gerwig, Alfred Hitchcock, and Howard J. Ford (again).
Aayush Sharma: If you weren’t an actor or a part of the entertainment industry, which profession would you have chosen?
Sophie Rankin: Before I chose a creative path, I actually wanted to be a vet because I love animals and loved the idea of helping them. But then I realized I’m squeamish and afraid of blood, so that wasn’t the best career option for me! I think my next choice would have been psychology. In college, psychology was one of the few academic subjects that really fascinated me, and my mom is a counselor, so maybe that interest runs in the family. I find human behavior absolutely fascinating, and I think I’ve always been perceptive and fairly good at reading people, which really helps me get into character as an actor. Plus, spreading awareness about mental health is so important to me. So, if I weren’t acting, I’d probably want to be a psychologist or counselor for sure.
Aayush Sharma: After playing a role as intense as Lucy, how do you see this experience influencing your future choices in acting? Are there particular themes or characters you’re drawn to exploring next?
Sophie Rankin: Playing Lucy has been such a rewarding experience, and it’s definitely inspired me to pursue similar roles. I’d love to play more characters that empower women—ones who fight back, show strength, and have that same determination. I also really enjoy roles that allow me to perform action scenes and fight moves. That said, I also love comedy! I did a few comedy films in the Philippines, which I absolutely enjoyed, and I feel comedy comes quite naturally to me. So, for my next role, I’d love to play a lighthearted, carefree character—someone who doesn’t take herself too seriously, is fun, happy, and just lives life to the fullest. Additionally, I’d love the opportunity to portray someone based on a true story, maybe a character who has escaped a war zone or endured something unimaginable.
When I think about what some people in the world have gone through, it’s almost beyond comprehension. While I’m grateful we don’t have to live through those experiences, I believe portraying such a character would be incredibly powerful. It would be a privilege to get into the mind and emotions of someone who’s overcome that kind of adversity.
‘ESCAPE’ is now available on Digital Download in the UK.
