Despite some of his more out-there performances, Nicolas Cage is actually a pretty chilled-out guy. He's a bit of a homebody who prefers handing out candy to neighborhood trick-or-treaters on Halloween versus going to some big, flashy costume party. His latest horror film, Pay the Ghost, sort of feels that way, too, in that it relies more on atmosphere and mood than jump-out-of-your-seat scares.

The film, which tracks one man's search for his son after he goes missing during a Halloween festival, starts off as this grounded kidnapping thriller before slowly weaving in its freaky supernatural spin. Fandango spoke to Cage about the movie, which arrives in select theaters, on VOD and Digital HD this September 25, and we also took a little trip down memory lane as Cage told us about his earliest experiences with Halloween, as well as why the holiday is so important to him and his family.

On What Separates Pay the Ghost from Other Supernatural Horror Movies

Nicolas Cage: I was compelled by the two different kinds of horror -- one being the emotional horror that I think all parents can relate to, which is the fear of losing one's child in public either by abduction or by an accident. And then having that escalate into a supernatural horror where my character has to access another dimension to pull the child back. To me that was unusual; I had not seen that before and I had not played that before. 

On His Favorite Kind of Horror Movies

Cage: There are many kinds of horror films, and I grew up watching the old Hammer horror films and the old Universal horror films where there are characters that are monsters who are also quite tragic. But then you go into the '70s style of horror film, which was more like The Exorcist and The Omen, where you have this kind of very naturalistic style of film performance that made the supernatural element so much more terrifying because it made it so much more believable. And that's sort of where I wanted to go with Pay the Ghost.

Nicolas Cage Fun Fact: Horror Movies Actually Help Him Relax

Cage: For me to relax -- as crazy as it sounds -- I like to put on movies that fall more in the category of horror, and take me on a wild ride. I do watch dramas quite a bit, but they remind me too much of my job, so I can't necessarily relax. Now when I say horror, I don't mean slasher -- I know there are people out there who love movies like that, but it's not my thing. I don't like slasher movies. But I do like Hideo Nakata's movies like Ringu and Ringu 2. I like any kind of creative, realistic approach to horror.

But What's His Favorite Recent Horror Movie?

Cage: I thought It Follows was a terrific, original take on the genre. It was very effective. I think some of the most creative people out there are making horror movies. I used to think of the horror filmmakers as the outlaws of Hollywood -- like the kids at school who aren't invited to the main party, and yet they're the ones doing the most interesting, creative stuff.

Why He Loves Halloween

Cage: I think any actor has to love Halloween. It's the only holiday that really advocates transformation and performance in terms of your costume and makeup to try to create a character. It's still big at home with me and my family. We love the two elements of Halloween. We love going out and trick-or-treating, and then the other element of the kids coming to the door and handing out candy. It's probably the only holiday that really cultivates trust in the neighborhood. You're meeting strangers and having an exchange with them, and usually it's a very positive, fun and happy experience.

And Here's What a Typical Halloween Looks Like at Nicolas Cage's House

Cage: I prefer trick-or-treating in the neighborhood and going to some of the neighbors' haunted houses. I've only gone to one or two masquerade balls for Halloween, and it's kind of liberating for someone like me because they don't know who I am. You have a mask on, and you can see different aspects of society in a way that's anonymous, and it can be fascinating.

Has He Ever Created His Own Haunted House?

Cage: Oh yeah! In fact, I won't be able to do it this year because I have to go off to make another movie. Paul Schrader is directing a movie called Dog Eat Dog, which I'm looking forward to. But maybe next year I'll try to throw something.

The First Halloween Costume Nicolas Cage Ever Wore Was...

Cage: I was Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, but I was Mr. Hyde. Then I was the Wolfman when I first remember going out trick-or-treating as a child.

The One Halloween Costume He Never Managed to Pull Off

Cage: One time I wanted to be the Phantom of the Opera -- the Lon Chaney version. And I couldn't get it to work. I remember trying to put Scotch tape on my nose so it would go up like his in the movie, but it didn't stay put.

Pay the Ghost hits select theaters, VOD and Digital HD on Friday, September 25.