In a recent interview during the Tribeca Film Festival, before the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike, Sophia Lillis and Hannah Gross opened up about their roles and the palpable sibling dynamics they portray in the upcoming movie “The Adults,” which also stars Michael Cera.
“The Adults”, set to hit theaters on Aug. 18, revolves around the story of two sisters, Rachel (Hannah Gross) and Maggie (Sophia Lillis). Living together in their childhood home, the narrative deepens when their distant brother, Eric (Michael Cera), makes a brief reappearance, highlighting the strains and complexities of their sibling relationships.
Eden Arielle Gordon’s article paints a vivid picture of the film’s background. Rachel, having assumed responsibility for the home after their parents’ demise, works at a local radio station, while Maggie finds herself back home after quitting college.
The real-life rapport between Gross and Lillis echoes their on-screen bond, making their portrayal even more genuine. The relationship between the characters is further complicated with the arrival of Eric, who’s hesitant to bond with his siblings, revealing long-simmering tensions and unresolved feelings.
Both Gross and Lillis shared personal experiences of their own sibling relationships with POPSUGAR. Gross confessed, “We hated each other,” reflecting on her childhood relationship with her brother. Lillis chimed in, remarking how she and her brother “hated each other” during their younger years, leading to a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding between the two actresses.
In “The Adults,” these sibling dynamics play out with a mix of nostalgia, humor, and deep-seated emotions. The film delves into the layers of detachment the siblings have accumulated over the years, only to be peeled back upon Eric’s arrival. Intriguingly, the film uses a unique storytelling device where the siblings revert to theatrical personas from their childhood to communicate, underlining their suppressed emotions.
Lillis amusingly disclosed her own childhood persona, the “Idiot Boy,” drawing a parallel to the film’s approach. Gross, joining in, reminisced about her own childhood performances with her best friend.
The two actresses have built impressive careers. Gross, who previously collaborated with “The Adults” director Dustin Guy Defa on “The Mountain” in 2018, and Lillis, known for her roles in 2017’s “It” and Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City,” come together to create magic on screen.
On working with megastars like Scarlett Johansson and Chris Pine, Lillis shared her humorous difficulty in recognizing actors, leading to some “nerve-racking” moments. In contrast, the filming of “The Adults” was described as a more grounded experience, with both actresses praising Michael Cera’s down-to-earth nature.
All in all, “The Adults” promises to be a touching, heartfelt exploration of sibling relationships, set against a backdrop of nostalgia and personal growth. The movie seems set to offer audiences a break from the typical big-budget blockbusters, serving instead a slice of authentic, human storytelling.
