IN CONVERSATION WITH LULU WILSON

interview by JANA LETONJA

Lulu Wilson has quickly established herself as one of the most compelling young actresses of her generation, building a reputation through fearless performances across some of modern horror’s most defining titles, from Annabelle: Creation to The Haunting of Hill House. Now, she steps into a different register with Pizza Movie, an offbeat, mind-bending comedy for Hulu, where she stars alongside Gaten Matarazzo and Sean Giambrone. With upcoming projects spanning genre, scale, and tone, Lulu continues to evolve as a bold and unpredictable screen presence.

There’s a strong theme of identity in Lizzy’s story. How did you connect with that?

During my time in school, I had trouble fitting in. I lived a sort of double life, attending campus like a typical student but leaving for months at a time to film. It was always a challenge to find my place within friend groups. Dynamics would shift, groups would form, and I was often too busy to keep up. I relate to Lizzy’s struggle to find where she truly fits in socially.

Balancing who you really are with how you want to be perceived becomes an almost impossible task when navigating the social politics of a college campus.

The film blends comedy with something more surreal and psychological. How did you approach that tone?

If I sat and thought for too long about jumping into comedy for the first time, especially one with so many moving parts, I’d panic. So, I did my best to set those thoughts aside and simply throw myself into each chaotic situation without shame or anxiety. Luckily, Nick and Brian, our lovely directors, had an amazing way of making all the insanity we were going through feel like reality. They had such a specific vision and knowing they wouldn’t stop until they got exactly what they wanted instilled major amounts of confidence in me as a performer.

Did stepping into comedy challenge you in a different way than horror?

I can definitely draw similarities between my experience working on a horror film and my time working on Pizza Movie. For starters, Jack, Lizzy, and Montgomery experience genuine fear for much of the film. I wasn’t afraid to draw from my horror roots and throw them into my performance during the more terrifying moments in this movie.

That said, working on a comedy differs a lot from working on a horror movie. Everyday we’d have new pages in our trailers, fresh dialogue, or completely reworked scenes. It was less of a challenge and more of a blast to stay on my toes and be ready for any changes. It was a true collaboration, and we all shared the same end goal, to make a chaotic, hilarious movie about the dangers of ordering food while stoned.

You’ve built a strong reputation in horror. What do you think makes you gravitate toward that genre?

It happened pretty naturally. In horror, there's always a need for a scared little girl in a white nightgown and I was more than happy to take on that role. With every new project, there was a new exhilarating experience. Moving through a rollercoaster of emotions, acting in a horror film allows you to deliver something heartbreakingly horrifying in one scene and an emotionally charged comedic performance in the next. My incredible experiences growing up working in horror have shaped me into a true friend for the genre. Understanding the hard work and pure creativity that is put behind every scare only adds to everything I’ve grown to love about a good ol’ scary movie.

How does your approach to fear and tension differ from your approach to humor?

In my experience, it is helpful to rehearse tension and fear, but humor tends to come more in the moment. With comedy, discovering something on the day sometimes holds much more value than what was previously rehearsed. On Pizza Movie, we were given so many opportunities to throw away the script and play around with what came naturally. Every day was unpredictable, in the best way, but when working on something with a darker tone, things tend to be more carefully planned out.

Your performances often carry a lot of emotional intensity. How do you prepare for that?

Every character that comes my way, I take the time to get to know them. Whether it's re-reading the script countless times, listening to music that aligns with the role, or constantly asking questions to the director, I always try to step into a new emotional headspace. But no matter how much I prepare, I find that I discover the most once the camera starts rolling. Being in wardrobe, on set, and alongside your co-stars really ties it all together, and the emotion tends to flood in all at once during that moment.

You’re returning for the final installment of the Becky franchise. What can audiences expect from that next chapter?

I can’t wait for audiences to see where Becky is now. Expect even more blood, guts, and catharsis. Becky is at a brand new stage in her life with many more opportunities for the classic campy gore and disturbingly hilarious moments with her new targets. I’ve gotten to grow up alongside this character and in this third installment we see Becky coming into her own as an adult, something I can’t wait to share with the fans.

With also projects like Xeno and Buzzkill coming up, how are you thinking about your career trajectory right now?

I am beyond excited for what's to come. I can’t predict what my future will look like, so I won’t try, but I hope it is filled with creativity. I feel so at home stepping on to a new set, so my fingers are tightly crossed for many more opportunities. I would love to find my way onto another comedic project, but I would also be thrilled to sink my teeth into a more dramatic role. No matter what genre I find myself in next, I can’t wait to get back on set and become part of a new creative family.

How do you stay grounded while navigating such a fast-moving career at a young age?

Making movies as a kid never felt like a job, it just felt like playing on the best playground in the world. Even now, getting to set feels like an opportunity to play. I’ve gotten so lucky to work with such amazing directors at every age, and I feel like I’ve learned from some of the best. Every set feels like stepping into a new family for a few weeks. I’ve made lifelong friends, learned lessons I’ll never forget, and always had the best time. Between jobs, I can’t help but find ways to stay busy. I work in retail and coach fencing. There’s definitely some whiplash between working behind a cash wrap, or wrangling children with swords and stepping onto a big movie set, but honestly, I just feel like Hannah Montana. And that's amazing.

What inspires you creatively outside of acting?

For many years, fencing has been a huge inspiration for me. At 12, I watched The Princess Bride for the first time and immediately I knew I needed to pick up a sword. I haven’t stopped since. Fencing inspires and challenges me in a different way with every lesson and tournament. I have also always been an avid writer. Whether it's poetry, a song no one will ever hear, or a haphazard outline for a script in my note's app, writing is and has always been a big creative outlet for me.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about this next phase of your career?

It’s definitely exciting to step out of my typical genre and jump into a fast paced, chaos filled comedy, but also, to step into my career as an adult. I’m excited for audiences to see this side of me as an actor and for the non-horror lovers out there to discover my work. Shedding my child actor skin and growing into a new space in my career is something I have been looking forward to and now that’s becoming a reality. Acting has been my passion for my whole life, and I can’t wait to see how my career grows with me.

TEAM CREDITS

talent LULU WILSON
photography ANDIE JANE
styling SHARON CHITRIT
makeup YUKARI BUSH
hair CLAYTON HAWKINS
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA