Last month, Tatiana Neva’s first starring vehicle, Prey of Wrath, hit streaming. This month, we are please to bring you this exclusive interview with Tatiana discussing Prey of Wrath, working with Cynthia Rothrock, her favorite action movies and more!

Bulletproof Action: Is it fair to say Prey of Wrath was at least partially inspired by Hong Kong martial arts films?

Tatiana Neva: Absolutely! It was heavily influenced by the classic action films of the ’80s and ’90s, and a significant part of that inspiration definitely stems from Hong Kong martial arts cinema. The movie even features one of the most prominent original stars of that genre—my amazing costar and the Queen of Martial Arts, Cynthia Rothrock. Our main ambition was to preserve the authenticity of the action, so no one used stunt doubles; we all did everything ourselves. That raw, hands-on dedication is exactly what Hong Kong action cinema is known for.

Bulletproof Action: What attracted you to Prey of Wrath?

Tatiana Neva: Aside from the fact that playing the lead in an action film has been a dream of mine since childhood, the most attractive part of this project was the opportunity to dive into the intricate complexity of my character. She has so much depth to explore, layers to peel back, and mysteries to uncover. She is a fascinating contradiction: a ruthless killing machine who unexpectedly reveals a spectrum of suppressed emotions—showing kindness, mercy (even to her enemies, by sparing them the extra suffering), critical thinking, and independence. It’s not at all what you’d expect from someone in her position, and I absolutely love that about her.

Bulletproof Action: Tell us a little bit about your character Lyudmilla.

Tatiana Neva: She is a truly unique person with a deeply broken and fragmented psyche. She is wounded, haunted, and depressed, yet at the same time, incredibly collected—always keeping her composure and a cool mind. She is resilient, with an insanely tough personality and an unshakeable willpower. Because she seems almost invincible, it comes as a beautiful shock to discover that she actually has deep feelings and a conscience underneath it all.

I actually wrote a poem about her, and a part of it perfectly defines who she is:

“… Because she used to be the prey, 

A fragile lamb for wolves to feast… 

She was inevitably slayed… 

But now returned… Reborn a beast…”

She turned her deepest wounds into the ultimate source of her power. Once she was ready, she came back to face those who destroyed her innocence, deliver revenge, and reclaim her own life and freedom.

Bulletproof Action: You did all your own fights and stunts in Prey of Wrath. How many months did you have for training and preparation?

Tatiana Neva: I was already training on a regular basis before I even booked the gig, but the specific preparation for Prey of Wrath started a few months prior to filming the first fight scene. I trained with a professional stunt team three times a week for about three to four hours per session. On top of that, I trained on my own time—drilling the choreography, going on hikes for stamina and endurance, working out at the gym, and stretching. I’m incredibly grateful that we allocated sufficient prep time for this project, because it really allowed us to take the choreography to the next level.

Bulletproof Action: How was working with Cynthia Rothrock?

Tatiana Neva: It was a great experience. I have immense respect and appreciation for Cynthia and everything she has contributed to the action cinema industry. She is a true icon of the martial arts genre, and I was deeply honored and grateful to work alongside her. She was wonderful to collaborate with, and we had some fantastic conversations on set. She is a lovely person, an absolute inspiration, and everything you would expect a true legend to be.

Bulletproof Action: When did you begin to think that writing and producing were something you wanted to do?

Tatiana Neva: I don’t remember the exact moment, but years ago, I just started taking the initiative simply because things needed to get done and I knew I could do them. Soon enough, I found myself stepping up to the plate again on Prey of Wrath. I’m incredibly grateful to our director, writer, and composer, the creator of the project, Doug Tochioka, for trusting me with that responsibility and letting me express myself beyond my acting. I enjoy participating in the production process immensely! It makes me so happy to help shape the world, the story, and my character, and it has been a very special experience for me.

Bulletproof Action: Did you have any influences as an actor?

Tatiana Neva: Oh, absolutely. It’s hard to pinpoint just one or two because there are so many incredible actors and actresses I draw inspiration from. At the end of the day, though, I like to take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and ultimately focus on channeling a blend of two energies: that of my character and my own. The goal is always to find that perfect balance between who I am and who she is, so I can tell her story as honestly and fearlessly as possible.

Bulletproof Action: Where can folks check out Prey of Wrath?

Tatiana Neva: PREY OF WRATH is currently available exclusively on NBCUniversal’s Xumo Play—one of the premier, most widely popular streaming platforms out there. A huge thank you to the Xumo team for all of their incredible support for the movie! I also want to give a massive shout-out to the viewers who keep watching and sharing our film. Thanks to them, we’ve stayed in the “Most Popular” category for a whole month since the very first day it released. I am so very grateful!

Bulletproof Action: How do you keep in shape?

Tatiana Neva: A big part of it is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a nutrition plan that honors my body. I avoid bad habits, steer clear of sodas, processed food, fast food, and refined sugar, and I choose not to drink alcohol. For fitness, I keep it varied and consistent: drilling kicks, lifting weights at the gym, and going on long walks.

Bulletproof Action: What are some of your favorite action movies?

Tatiana Neva: There are so many that it’s hard to choose! Just to name a few, I love 

The Matrix, Wanted, Rush Hour, Hero, Zatoichi, The Terminator, Enter the Dragon, John Wick, Atomic Blonde, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. 

The list truly goes on—action is my absolute favorite genre, so I’ve seen a lot of them!

Bulletproof Action: Is there a piece of music that moves you, no matter how many times you hear it?

Tatiana Neva: Yes, I have a few timeless favorites. For example, I have always loved the song “Kiss from a Rose” by Seal. No matter how many times I hear it, it sounds just as perfect to me as the first time. Some songs are true masterpieces that never go out of style.

Bulletproof Action. What do you have coming up next?

Tatiana Neva: I am super excited to be working with P.G.A. producer Alexander Nevsky, who also served as an executive producer on Prey of Wrath and whom most people know and love as an international action star and a three-time Mr. Universe bodybuilding champion. We have a brand-new project in the works as we speak, so stay tuned—more awesomeness is coming soon!

Bulletproof Action: What advice can you offer to young, aspiring actors?

Tatiana Neva: Commit. If you’re going to walk the path of an artist, be fiercely loyal to your craft. Put in the time and do the work. Ignore the naysayers—some people will only accept your choice once they see you succeed, so you shouldn’t depend on anyone else’s opinion. Be your own greatest supporter and believe in yourself without a shadow of a doubt. They say 50% of success is just showing up, so show up for yourself daily. Do something every single day to make progress, no matter how small it might seem. Keep the momentum going, know that it is possible, and just remember to have some fun with it. After all, that’s why we chose this path to begin with!