IN CONVERSATION WITH MEGAN LAWLESS
interview by JANA LETONJA
Megan Lawless is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting young talents to watch, with a career defined by versatility and a sharp instinct for character-driven storytelling. She stars as one of the leads in the buzzy horror film Obsession, which premiered in the Midnight Madness section at the Toronto International Film Festival before being acquired by Focus Features in a major deal backed by Blumhouse. Following strong receptions at Fantastic Fest and Sitges, the film is now set for a theatrical release on 15th May, after its SXSW debut. Having worked steadily since her early teens, Megan continues to build a compelling body of work, establishing herself as a rising force in both film and television.
Obsession has already generated major buzz ahead of its release. What first attracted you to join the project?
The script. I read it and knew there was something really special about Obsession. I also watched some of Curry Barker’s short films on YouTube and I was instantly a fan of his work. His tone is so unique and specific. It was clear how talented he was and I always had belief in this project.
The film premiered at TIFF’s Midnight Madness section. What was that experience like?
That was one of the best moments of my career. The energy of the Midnight Madness audience is insane, so engaged and lively. That was the perfect audience to watch the film in a theater for the first time with. On top of that, that evening felt so momentous. I had been eagerly awaiting the moment other people could see the film we worked so hard on. And people loved the film. It was surreal.
Horror can be such an intense genre to work in. What excited you most about stepping into this space?
I love doing horror. It is so exciting to me. Every day on set brings something new. There were a few special effects on this production that I had never experienced before and working with them was a blast. Also, as an actor, you work through a whole spectrum of emotions and stakes, which to me provides a lot of freedom to play and commit.
How would you describe your character, and what makes her central to the story?
My character Sarah is one of Bear and Nikki’s best friends and when their relationship begins unfolding and odd things begin happening, Sarah is the voice of reason. She respects her friends but also questions the absurdities of their “love”. I think Sarah’s relationship with Bear acts as a great foil to the central “love” story. While Bear and Nikki are stuck in a toxic situation, the audience wonders if Bear should stop forcing the unhealthy relationship to work and rather go for someone that actually does like him, Sarah. It’s one of those classic “She was right in front of him the whole time”, but Bear’s crush on Nikki blinds him from being able to see anything or anyone else.
The film has been praised for its tone and intensity. How did you prepare emotionally for the role?
Before shooting, Curry Barker and the rest of our cast had so many conversations on the many layers and themes of this film. We thought deeply about how to successfully achieve the most impactful end product.
Obviously, it is imperative that on a set like Obsession, you find humor and levity amongst all the heaviness. I feel very lucky to have worked with the cast and crew that I did. We all genuinely developed friendships that made the process much more light-hearted. When the cameras were rolling, we gave our utmost commitment. But in between, we were friends that could support each other.
You’ve been working in the industry since your early teens. How has your approach to acting evolved over time?
It can be challenging determining your approach. There are so many schools of thought and the best approach is so subjective, but after over ten years of working on this craft, I have become clear on what I need to do my best work. I owe so much to my acting teacher, Eric Gutierrez. I used to study scenes in a very analytical way, but over time, I’ve found that anything that gets me most present and in my body is crucial to elicit the most visceral feelings in me. So much of the work is mental, and personally, I can get into my own way if I overintellectualize. I try to never lose the sense of “play” while I work. The goal is to be as instinctual and fearless as possible.
Looking back, what were some of the most formative experiences in your early career?
When I was 17, I booked The Hate U Give and a show called Play By Play in the same week. Up until then, I hadn’t had many opportunities to act, so working on both projects in the same few months was an incredible learning experience. One was a feature length drama and one an episodic comedy. To get to work both muscles and acclimate to a busier workload, I feel in that season I first experienced what it was like to be a working actor. I spent time on set, worked with well known actors, traveled for the job, and did press. I loved every second of it. These projects further solidified to me that I was in the right profession.
How do you choose projects now, what needs to be there for you to say yes?
My taste in projects is very character driven, because at the end of the day, my role in filmmaking is as an actor. I love so many genres and would love to work in an array of environments, but the common denominator is well written characters. A thoughtfully constructed character is my kryptonite as both an audience member and actor.
How do you decompress after working on emotionally intense material?
I have a wonderful network of artists that I can always turn to to talk about this industry with. Inde Navarette, Haley Johnson, and I supported each other a lot during the filming of Obsession. But while acting is a huge part of me, I like to make my life full in other ways. I have hobbies and friends that are not industry related. I find that is invaluable to make sure I don’t get consumed by the work. After a long day on set, getting to have a laugh with my friends outside of showbiz is a wonderful reprieve.
What kind of stories or characters are you hoping to explore next?
I would love to explore a character outside of my comfort zone. Any role I haven’t played before I hope to get to explore next. And I would love to work on a drama soon. Something with an incredibly rich emotional life to it. I’d like to stretch myself in that way and have the opportunity to devote a lot of myself to a project.
Finally, what does this moment in your career represent for you?
I have waited for the moment a mass audience can see my work and get to know me, and I’m so grateful this film is making that happen. Obsession has expanded my realm of opportunity immensely. I built so many lasting relationships working on this film, but also am meeting and collaborating with so many more from this film. That is the best part about all this, expanding the community I have in this industry. This is just the start.
TEAM CREDITS:
photographer JACK MORRIS
