Imogen Poots may be the star of Black Christmas, but the sorority sisters that surround her character Riley are every bit as vivid and fleshed-out as she is. The film, which is out in theaters this weekend, explores how each of these young women deals with not only the threat to their lives but the dangers of a sexist society overall. Brittany O’Grady and Lily Donoghue, who play Jesse and Marty respectively, chatted with Screen Rant about their characters’ strengths and why the bond of sisterhood is so important.
First of all, congratulations on this film. I love the song that's in this movie. I think it's brilliant. But a lot of films that have women in them usually pit them against each other. In this film, it's all about sisterhood, and I love that message. Can you talk to me about the bond of sisterhood that this movie brings?
Lily Donoghue: Yeah, I mean, I feel like that's real life. Like, my best friends. I'd frickin' do anything for him. And sometimes they last longer than boyfriends. I think that's present, and I think the women in the movie would do anything for each other.
Each one of the friends has strengths and weaknesses. Can you talk to me about each one of their skill sets, or each one of your character's skill sets?
Brittany O'Grady: Yeah. Maybe I'll pick two characters: Lily's character, Marty, I agree with you that she is the mediator. She's the calm within the panic and the emotion; she thinks logically, which is really great. And she's the mediator of the friend group.
Kris, who's played by Aleyse Shannon, is someone who is part of the fight and believes that it's her social responsibility and duty to make people aware of the wrongs in society and how it needs to be changed. And those are the two strengths I feel in those characters. I don't know if that's too much.
Lily Donoghue: I think it's interesting because I think different women handle the same situation differently. So, I think our characters reflect that, and Riley initially is scared, but she knows what she has to do. It's interesting to see kind of Kris go from being very, very active in what she believes to then kind of being like, "Dude, we shouldn't do this." So, it's cool. I don't know. We're all different and complex. But all very strong.
Brittany O'Grady: And Jesse's just bubbly.
There's another element of this film, about women not being believed after an attack or trauma. Can you talk to me about how Sophia and April weaved that into being educational yet entertaining? It's a very fine line.
Lily Donoghue: Yeah, I think the scene between Imogen and the security guard is pretty funny, because he's spreading mayo. But it's true. I've been in scenarios where I've talked to people like that, and it's very frustrating. I think there is an element of humor to it, but it doesn't take anything away from how infuriating that could be; if they're spreading mayo from you and you're [telling them something important].
This movie is also ahead of the curve in the horror genre, especially with so much female empowerment in front of the camera, but also behind the camera. Can you talk to me about what Sophia adds to the horror genre as the director?
Brittany O'Grady: I think she makes it more than just a horror film. The horror aspect of the film is an artistic and creative way to validate and express the horrors that women feel every day, and I think Sofia does that with just her existence and her intellect; her experience as an actress in creating this realistic and casual [film]. Not casual, but modern day. There's depth without it being so forced and in your face. You're meant to think.
The horror genre at times can be used as a cautionary tale. What do you guys hope the audience is going to take away from this version of Black Christmas?
Lily Donoghue: I hope that women go to see it and feel seen or heard in some of their experiences that they might have felt in their own lives and feel a little bit stronger leaving. And hopefully, people can think before they act a little bit more. I really hope that.
Out of the group of friends that are in this film, which one do you most relate with? Or would you be your character?
Lily Donoghue: I feel like I relate to Riley. I think in real life, I'm a little bit more fearful. Yeah, that's me. But she ends up being very strong in her vulnerability, so I'm getting there.
Brittany O'Grady: I feel that. I feel like, honestly, a mix of Kris and Riley. Just being a woman of color and seeing things from that perspective: being biracial with African American descent, I see things and how it's affected me and my family. And I'm also very passionate about rights for people in the LGBTQ community. That's something that I'm very passionate about, but I also feel incredibly vulnerable and have battled with feeling like a victim in a circumstance and not being able to speak out or be believed or heard, or my perspective not being able to be understood.
I wish I could be like Marty and be balanced. I'm either [yelling] or [sighing].
