Horror Power Couple Eli Roth and Lorenza Izzo: From On-Set romance to Collaborative Success
Former married couple and frequent collaborators Eli Roth and Lorenza Izzo captivated the horror genre for years, blending their personal and professional lives. Their story began on the set of the 2012 disaster thriller Aftershock, and blossomed into a partnership that spanned multiple projects before their divorce in 2018.
Roth, known for his work directing films like Cabin Fever (2002) and Hostel (2005), first met Izzo, a Chilean-born actress and model, during pre-production for Aftershock. The film, directed by Nicolás López and filmed primarily in Santiago, Chile, depicts the aftermath of a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile in 2010. Roth and izzo starred as Gringo and Ariel, two American tourists caught in the chaos and struggling to survive. Izzo’s fluency in English, a detail discovered by Roth during casting, secured her the role opposite him.
Their on-screen chemistry quickly translated off-screen, leading to a romantic relationship that continued throughout the production. Following Aftershock, the couple collaborated on several projects, including the Netflix series Hemlock Grove (2013-2015), where Izzo had a recurring role as Olivia Godfrey, and Roth served as an executive producer. They also co-wrote and produced The Green Inferno (2013), a controversial cannibal horror film, and starred together in Knock Knock (2015) and The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018). Roth and Izzo also founded the production company Roth/izzo Film Group.
In a 2024 interview with WWD, Izzo reflected on the serendipitous nature of their meeting and the impact of their shared experiences on their creative partnership.She is currently starring in AMC’s Feed the Beast (2016) and has appeared in films like quantico (2015) and Blue Beetle (2023). Roth continues to direct and produce horror films,including the upcoming remake of Borderlands (2024).
The dynamic between Roth and Izzo mirrors other accomplished on- and off-screen pairings in the horror genre, such as Charlie Heaton and Natalia Dyer of Stranger things. These relationships often lend an authenticity to romantic subplots and enhance the overall emotional impact of horror films, suggesting that genuine connection between actors can elevate the genre’s storytelling.
