Premiering May 2, 2025, in theaters, Rosario weaves a visceral blend of grief and horror as Rosario Fuentes (Emeraude Toubia) confronts unthinkable terror during a snowbound vigil for her grandmother. Trapped with a body possessed by malevolent forces, Rosario’s night spirals into a fight for survival. Anchored by a cast of seasoned actors and rising stars, this film explores familial bonds frayed by the supernatural. Meet the ensemble bringing this chilling story to life.
The Faces Behind Rosario
– Emeraude Toubia as Rosario Fuentes
Born March 1, 1989, in Montreal to Mexican-Lebanese parents, Emeraude Toubia rose to fame as fierce half-angel Isabelle Lightwood in Shadowhunters (2016–2019). Her career spans bilingual roles in telenovelas (Ángel o Demonio) and Hallmark romances (Love in the Sun), showcasing her range from action to heartfelt drama. Toubia’s emotional depth and fluency in horror-adjacent storytelling make her ideal for Rosario, a woman battling literal and metaphorical ghosts.
To prepare, Toubia studied grief responses and trained in stunt choreography for the film’s intense physical scenes. Off-screen, she advocates for Latinx representation in Hollywood and recently produced Bruja (2024), a short film reclaiming witchcraft narratives. “Rosario isn’t just a survivor—she’s a warrior redefining her lineage,” Toubia says.
– José Zúñiga as Oscar Fuentes
Honduran-American actor José Zúñiga (born May 15, 1965) brings gravitas as Oscar, Rosario’s estranged father. Known for tough yet nuanced roles in *24* (2006) and The Bridge (2013–2014), Zúñiga’s career thrives on characters straddling duty and despair. His portrayal of Oscar, a man haunted by familial failures, draws from his upbringing in a military family and advocacy for Latino mental health awareness.
Zúñiga’s recent work in Mayans M.C. (2022) and indie drama Borderless (2023) informs Oscar’s rugged vulnerability. “This role is about redemption in the face of the unimaginable,” he shares, highlighting parallels to his own journey as a first-generation immigrant artist.
– David Dastmalchian as Joe
David Dastmalchian (born July 21, 1981), a horror icon from Ant-Man (2015) and The Suicide Squad (2021), channels eerie magnetism as Joe, a cryptic drifter stranded at the Fuentes home. Dastmalchian’s history with psychological thrillers (Prisoners, 2013) and his own battles with addiction lend Joe a unsettling authenticity.
A writer and mental health advocate, Dastmalchian penned Count Crowley comics, exploring monsters as metaphors. For Rosario, he drew on folklore about winter spirits, calling Joe “a conduit between the living and the vengeful dead.”
– Paul Ben-Victor as Marty
Paul Ben-Victor (born July 24, 1965), a staple of gritty dramas (The Wire, True Detective), plays Marty, a suspicious neighbor with secrets tied to the supernatural storm. Ben-Victor’s knack for morally ambiguous roles adds layers to Marty, whose folksy demeanor masks a dark past.
A Brooklyn native and jazz enthusiast, Ben-Victor infused Marty with a bluesman’s weariness. “He’s the kind of guy who knows too much but says too little,” he explains, teasing the character’s pivotal role in the mystery.
– Diana Lein as Elena Fuentes
Veteran stage actress Diana Lein (born 1952) terrifies as Elena, Rosario’s grandmother, whose corpse becomes a vessel for ancient entities. Lein’s Broadway roots (The Crucible, 2002) and TV work (Law & Order) ground her performance in visceral physicality, even when playing lifeless—or possessed.
Lein collaborated with contortionists and voice coaches to embody Elena’s transformation. “It’s a dance between stillness and chaos,” she says, noting parallels to her advocacy for aging artists’ visibility in horror.
– Emilia Faucher as Rosario (Young)
Chilean-Canadian rising star Emilia Faucher (born 2003), of Locke & Key (2022) fame, plays young Rosario in flashbacks. Her ethereal presence and fluency in Spanish (learned for Cities of Paper (2024)) enrich scenes exploring Rosario’s fractured childhood.
Faucher studied family trauma documentaries to capture the character’s lingering scars. “Young Rosario holds the key to breaking the cycle,” she hints, signaling the film’s emotional core.
– Nick Ballard as Alex
Nick Ballard (born 1997), known for All American (2021) and Stranger Things (2022), brings Gen-Z urgency to Alex, Rosario’s tech-savvy cousin racing to help via a spotty video call. Ballard’s comedic timing in Cobra Kai (2023) contrasts with Alex’s desperation, showcasing his range.
A climate activist, Ballard likens the story’s isolation to “generational helplessness in a disconnected world.”
– Guillermo Garcia as Miguel
Mexican actor Guillermo Garcia (born 1989), of Narcos: Mexico (2020) fame, portrays Miguel, a local medic with ties to indigenous spiritual practices. Garcia’s background in anthropology informed Miguel’s role as a bridge between modern medicine and ancestral wisdom.
Garcia, a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights, consulted with Nahua elders to ensure respectful portrayal of folklore. “Miguel isn’t a savior—he’s a guide reminding us to listen to the past,” he says.
