High school can be a very overwhelming experience, as rumors circulating among students can quickly lose control, leading to backstabbing, revenge and justice. new movie Gene It displays the fine line between justification and revenge, with actions initially aimed at balancing the scales among high school students who eventually see those who spread those messages begin to lose control of the monsters they’ve created. Madelaine Petsch stars in the film, resonating so powerfully between the film’s themes and messages that she also steps up behind the camera to act as a producer. Gene It will premiere in select theaters on Friday, August 26th, and will premiere exclusively on Creator + Friday, September 16.
in GeneOlivia (Beach) is a seemingly perfect high school student struggling with grief after losing a friend recently. After she was put off from her dream college, she started spinning and had a series of increasingly frightening panic attacks. In an effort to regain some sense of control, she embarks on a social media-fueled frenzy against those who stand in the way of her success, but as things escalate, she is forced to confront – and eventually embrace – her darkest impulses in order to move forward.
ComicBook.com caught up with Beach to talk about film development, her high school experiences, and her future Riverdale Letter.
ComicBook.com: Gene He has some seriousness Bad intentions Positive feedback, that was based on Shakespeare. There is a little of the stormI feel inspiring Gene. Bad intentions Sounds like a high school movie, it’s a staple for many high school students. Did you have background material when it comes to movies that you loved and watched over and over when you went back to high school?
Madeline Petsch: My God. Of course I did. But I was a unique child. I grew up with Blockbuster, and I’m dating myself. But I used to go to Blockbuster’s horror section every weekend and browse through the entire horror section during my high school experience. I didn’t go to parties, but I watched every horror movie in the local blockbuster. This is a feat in itself.
It seems we had very similar experiences in high school. When it comes to GeneYou’re not only starring in this, but you’re also a producer behind the scenes. What was it about this particular project that made you want to get more involved and be productive?
It was cool because I’ve been working with the idea for a while. and then when Gene Came up, I felt easy and a natural transition to it. I found the script very early in the process, which I think is a really important key to being productive. Jumping at the end doesn’t really make sense. And I really joined the director, and we had an incredibly similar vision for the role.
I think all the right pieces came together and I felt like, “Okay, I can defend the story in a way beyond being an actor. I have the tools and the ability to do that.” So it wasn’t about me actively going out and trying to find a producer role and more finding me in a really cool way.
I think it’s safe to say that things get a little out of hand in this story, maybe just a smidge. Do you remember a time in your life when you might have started, say, with a small, harmful joke or joke that things escalated too quickly and may have gotten out of your control?
I would say my life wasn’t very interesting in high school, but I really did my homework and dance lessons and came home. I was so boring. I was bullied a lot at school. So I feel like if anything, I’m more specific with the other side of the story. But that’s a very cool thing about this movie, I think, because it’s really not based on reality. It’s really in its own kind of world where these things happen and people turn away from it. In no way do I think any of this actually happens in real life or should happen.
It looks like the worst is probably not rewinding the videotape in Blockbuster and saying, “No, I totally rewrapped it. Definitely.”
Well, actually, I had DVDs.
This is the joke you give them a DVD and say, “Oh, I totally made this back,” and they look at you like, “What the hell are you talking about?”
This is my idea of a prank as a high school student.
We talked about the bullying component of this, and when did things start Gene, not necessarily with the repercussions that were expected. In the beginning, there was little righteousness. People have been called out for some suspicious behavior. Do you think there was some justification for the manipulation at least early in this story?
I can’t go into a story with these things in mind, or else I’d never be able to play the character with complete impartiality. So I’m not personally, like Madeleine, but when I was doing it, I couldn’t even get over that thought. I am a person who, in my personal life, stays away from everything. I don’t have drama. I don’t say anything that I have no part in. It’s just what I am as a person.
So in no way do I feel that any of this is justified. The reason they are – I can’t speak to any of this because it hasn’t been posted yet. But the reason for attacking them… I’m pulling it off. I click on it. whatever. The ends do not justify the means. The reasons why they would do these things really don’t make sense. It really is all getting out of hand.
What I love about the movie is that I feel like you can go back and re-watch it, you can see that maybe Olivia was planning, she was sowing seeds the whole time. I don’t think she planned that whole final piece. This was a mishap, but I think you can look and see that Olivia was probably the antagonist of the entire movie from the jump.
It definitely makes you want to rewatch once it’s over to see all the breadcrumbs that lead you to that ending. Speaking of endings, there’s this little TV show coming to an end. It’s called “Archie and Friends”, I think.
Oh, “Archie and Friends”. Yes, I did a small job with that.
I want an offer for you and Kiernan [Shipka’s Sabrina] All these supernatural adventures take place. with Riverdale Almost done, would you like to keep playing Cheryl in something like a minor item? Do you want to continue with this character or do you think your time was so satisfying on this show that you want to get out on a high note and now you’re just looking forward to other adventures?
It’s like I love and adore Cheryl very much. We’ve been on such a journey together. We have grown up together. So the thought of saying goodbye to her makes me really sad and I can’t imagine a world where I don’t play her or she isn’t in my life.
However, I feel excited to explore other opportunities and try new things. And as an actor, we want diversity and we want to play new characters. So I think, as much as I love her, I think I should love her and leave her.
Well, you’re saying that now, but I think if we give it six months, I’ll call you and Kiernan. We’ll be broadcasting some Sabrina and Cheryl’s adventures.
definitely. Call when you’re done with season seven, and maybe we can talk.
Gene It will premiere in select theaters on Friday, August 26th, and will premiere exclusively on Creator + Friday, September 16.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You can communicate Patrick Kavanaugh live on Twitter.
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