Olivia Holt’s Awkward Icebreaker on Heart Eyes Set

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Olivia Holt’s debut atop a major studio call sheet is going exceptionally well. 

The versatile actress from “Heart Eyes” is beaming with pride over Josh Ruben’s slasher romantic comedy, given its exceptional critical reception this year. Her starring role in the film serves as a natural progression following her impressive performance in Nahnatchka Khan’s 2023 time-travel slasher comedy, “Totally Killer.” Interestingly, Greg Gilreath, the producer of both productions, recommended the actress to Ruben during casting. Similarly, Radio Silence, the creative team behind “Scream” (2022) and “Scream VI” (2023), vouched for their former “Scream” actor, Mason Gooding. This support significantly increased the chances of both actors landing roles in “Heart Eyes,” bypassing a screen test between them for the romantic leads. The production took place on a set based in New Zealand.

In a different setting, characters played by Holt and Gooding take on roles as advertising specialists tasked with overhauling a jewelry company’s ad campaign. On the romantic holiday of Valentine’s Day, they find themselves in a harrowing situation when a roaming serial killer, known as the Heart Eyes Killer (HEK), mistakenly targets them as a contented couple. The confrontation with H Ek starts within Ally’s private quarters after Jay assists his stranded coworker in gaining access to her apartment building. In a quick-thinking move, Ally hurls an intimate bedroom item at the killer, and this unexpectedly humorous yet awkward moment turns out to be instrumental in strengthening the on-screen chemistry between Holt and Gooding.

In the initial stages of filming, we all were just meeting each other, so it was quite pleasant for Mason, me, and the entire team to bond over something casual, although it was undeniably uncomfortable. This is what Holt shared with The Hollywood Reporter.

To ensure the movie’s success hinged on their chemistry, Gooding actively sought to build a connection with his co-star (Holt), employing various methods for their relationship development.

During the filming of a Letterboxd segment promoting the movie, Holt remembers laughing as a man appeared on set wearing a tank top bearing the message ‘Olivia Holt’s #1 fan.’ It seems he had the idea himself, and then decided to don my costume. I had larger-sized shorts for the harness used in some stunt sequences, and he grabbed them, wearing them along with my belt throughout the day. Quite a surprising turn of events!”

Or, more concisely:

“During a movie promotion segment on Letterboxd, Holt recalls laughing as a fan wore an ‘Olivia Holt’s #1 fan’ tank top and her costume. He found larger-sized shorts for the harness used in stunts and wore them all day with her belt, creating quite a surprise!

Recently, in a chat with THR, I opened up about my intense audition scene and the hilarious Fast & Furious joke that left my co-star, Jordana Brewster, in stitches.

Or, in a more conversational tone:

I had an interesting conversation with THR where I shared some behind-the-scenes stories about my audition for the film and the memorable Fast & Furious joke that got my co-star, Jordana Brewster, laughing out loud.

***

Have you moved on emotionally from the trauma your character faced in Heart Eyes, as indicated by the absence of the heart eyes emoji?

(Laughs.) Simply no! It’s the best one, and I’m going to continue using it. 

It may leave those around you perplexed. They might question whether you’re referring to your film or the actual significance behind the emoticon.

You know what? You’re not wrong. I need to be careful how I use it.

What were the hurdles you had to overcome before landing the lead role of Ally in your debut major studio film, Heart Eyes?

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but express my exhilaration over the audition process for this movie. The moment the script landed in my hands, I was smitten, and my fascination with director Josh Ruben reached unprecedented heights. His brilliance and talent are undeniable, and the opportunity to discuss his ideas and vision for Ally was the key selling point that drew me to this project. Our conversation further fueled my enthusiasm, as I became even more enamored with his creative direction for both the film and the character of Ally. Consequently, I found myself jetting off to New Zealand for the audition not long after, and filming commenced shortly thereafter. Fortunately, we skipped the chemistry read with Mason [Gooding]. Instead, our paths crossed in New Zealand, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I pride myself on guessing audition scenes. Was it the champagne dinner scene? 

It was, yeah. You did good! 

It’s possible Ally comes across as somewhat skeptical, but her critique of champagne toasts might not be off base. We often receive an overly idealized portrayal of love, which sets unrealistic standards for people. That’s why the couple at the beginning of the movie scripted their engagement. Do you share Ally’s view that she raises a valid point?

100% sure. One reason I find Ally very relatable is during that specific scene. She’s bold with her beliefs, unafraid to express them even to a stranger. Many of the points she makes are insightful, and she establishes boundaries for herself. Love can manifest in various ways, and Jay offers her an alternative viewpoint on love, a fresh take on what a romantic evening might look like. It takes her a moment to adjust, but I appreciate that she does. I admire her desire to stand firm with her convictions.

In essence, Jay seems to be an ardent romantic, while Ally appears to have lost some of her romantic idealism. Given this, wouldn’t it be wise to find a middle ground between these two perspectives?

Indeed, it seems likely. To be clear, I’m not an expert on romantic relationships or the meaning of life by any means, but I believe there might be a balance or middle ground worth considering.

Ally and Jay’s chance encounter revolves around a shared complicated coffee request. Do you have an unusual drink preference that not many others share?

Unfortunately, I can’t do what you desire, because the reality is that I can’t consume anything. However, if I could make a choice, I’d opt for tea over coffee, as I have a preference for the taste and aroma of tea.

Or:

I wish I shared your interest, but alas, I don’t. I’m not particularly fond of coffee, and instead, I lean towards tea. I find its flavor to be more appealing.

Both sentences convey the same idea as the original statement in a more formal and polite manner.

The scene additionally presents Ally’s reliable stainless steel drinking straw. By any chance, did everyone receive a stainless steel straw as part of their gift wrapping?

Unfortunately, I ran out of time to assemble the wrap presents I had planned for everyone, which is a real shame because it could have been an extraordinary gift, considering the dramatic circumstances portrayed in the film.

Were you able to correctly identify the Heart Eyes Killer’s (HEK) true identity when you first read through the script?

Initially, upon my first read, I attempted to piece together the clues, yet my assumption proved incorrect. Regardless, I enjoyed reading it immensely as I was drawn into the thrill of the adventure and the captivating characters. To be honest, I had numerous doubts about whether it was [Gigi Zumbado’s best friend character] Monica, but unfortunately, I didn’t come close to guessing correctly at all. Not even remotely.

Which scene did you find more uncomfortable: the one involving throwing an item towards HEK in Ally’s room, or the one where Ally and Jay had a deep talk inside a van, with background disturbances coming from the van’s owners?

(Laughs.) The atmosphere in the bedroom was decidedly uneasy, especially during our early days on set. It was a great opportunity for me, Mason, and the crew to get to know one another, albeit an awkward one. While we were filming the heartfelt conversation inside the van, Mason and I performed our parts first on a stage, and they filmed the back of the van separately at a later time. However, Josh Ruben remained in the back of the van during our scene, making those noises the whole time, which made it a more enjoyable and comical experience for us all. By this point in filming, we were all very comfortable with each other, ensuring a safe and relaxed environment. Both scenes are truly hilarious moments.

Thank you for giving me that tidbit before my interview with Josh.

Oh, he’ll love telling that story.

Is there a hilarious joke involving Hobbs & Shaw in Heart Eyes, and since Jordana Brewster is deeply connected to the Fast & Furious series, did she enjoy participating in that jab during filming?

I’m absolutely smitten by it! I believe it’s a masterful addition to the narrative, and the way she responded during the segment where I bring up Hobbs & Shaw just makes me adore her even more.

“Haven’t heard of it.”

It’s so good, and I am very excited to sit in an audience full of people when she says it.

Instead of Ally choosing a career in medicine, she opted for an advertising role that doesn’t fully satisfy her. Unlike her, you seem to have two careers – acting and music – that you are equally passionate about. Haven’t these dual professions presented challenges in terms of balancing them as you desire?

At times, I encounter periods that seem more demanding. In my youth, I tended to view these situations quite intensely, making it harder for me to maintain a balanced outlook. However, over the past few years, I’ve managed to adjust my perspective on them, finding enjoyment in the challenge. I appreciate the exhilaration my life can offer when it’s hectic, and I strive to keep things from becoming too heavy or stressful. After all, there are already plenty of stressors in our professions, so I aim to find joy in the experience and remember the good times. At times, it feels as if I’m in a whirlwind, moving so quickly that it seems like I’ve momentarily lost consciousness. A perfect illustration of this is the project called “Heart Eyes,” where I was far from my loved ones, often feeling isolated in a foreign land. Surrounded by strangers, one hopes for compatibility with the cast and crew. This project stands among my favorites, as it transformed the unfamiliar setting into a welcoming home away from home for us all. Each day on set felt like an exciting adventure, even when I was doused in blood nearly every day.

Do you find it common for actors to express that while filming horror movies, there’s usually a more upbeat atmosphere on set? Could this be due to some sort of psychological coping mechanism related to the nature of the content? Was this the situation during the production of this film as well?

Absolutely, I concur! The experience was quite relaxed overall, even though there were some extremely tough and demanding days during winter’s frost in New Zealand. It was chilly indeed, and we predominantly filmed at night, making it all the more challenging. We also had a large number of supporting actors involved. However, the days were short, and we managed to make the best of the situation. All in all, it was an incredibly enjoyable journey for us, and our unedited blooper reel would have been far too lengthy to be shared publicly. They certainly condensed quite a bit of it, but we had an absolute blast.

Apart from expressing my admiration for your portrayal of Teenage Pam in Nahnatchka Khan’s Totally Killer, I found the basement scene where your character confronted her mom particularly intriguing. This interaction made me suspect that Pam’s mother was the ’80s killer. The theory was that she blamed Pam’s friends for turning her daughter into someone less kind. I didn’t realize at the time that this moment would resonate with viewers as much as it did.

Your idea is incredibly insightful, and it hadn’t occurred to me at all. Our discussions on set often revolved around understanding how teenagers communicated with their parents in the ’80s, and what sets them apart from today. Back then, teenagers were usually engrossed in face-to-face conversations that they didn’t want their parents to hear, hidden away in basements or elsewhere. Nowadays, however, they are often absorbed in their phones, either playing games or mindlessly scrolling through social media.

I found myself focusing on the turbulent emotions that a mother-daughter relationship might have had in the ’80s and leaned into that teenage angst for the show. Your theory about Pam’s mom being the killer is intriguing, and I must admit, it’s an idea I would be genuinely captivated to see on screen.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Pam’s mother is currently not part of Pam’s immediate family in the current timeframe. This factor further increased the likelihood of the situation.

Yeah! That’s really brilliant, actually.

In terms of the multi-tasking aspect of careers, there’s been a trend of individuals moving between various fields, and your generation appears to have an increased number of people who are also actors and musicians. Some speculate that this might be due to the accessibility of recording tools like Garageband on your devices from a young age, making music creation less daunting compared to previous generations. However, do you have any personal thoughts or ideas about why this may be?

Your question is truly insightful! I’m always impressed by the enthusiasm and dynamism of our generation when it comes to life and career choices. It’s no longer about choosing a single path and sticking to it. Instead, we have the freedom to experiment and explore various opportunities. After all, this is our one and only life. It’s a chance for us to traverse diverse paths, discover what truly fulfills us, ignites our passion, and stimulates our creativity. We can find ourselves where we feel most content, valued, or attracted. Frankly, I admire that people are willing to venture into uncharted waters, even if they might be challenging or uncomfortable. It’s all about breaking free from conventional boundaries and embracing new experiences. I hope this trend continues, and I greatly appreciate the spirit of adventure in my generation.

In a more conversational style: “I absolutely enjoyed your rendition of The Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Today’ for Cruel Summer! Did you have the option to choose that song from a selection, or was it already decided beforehand?

Originally, the script called for me to appear only today, but my involvement in singing for the show came much later. I was thrilled that the production team permitted me to join and lend my voice to a few songs. Being musically inclined, I found the abundance of ’90s music on set particularly appealing. The prospect of covering one of those songs turned out to be an exciting opportunity for me during filming. I recorded it during production, which allowed us all to enjoy the finished product right there on set. This was a rare and fun experience that doesn’t usually happen in such productions. [Writer’s Note: Holt’s cover can be heard playing over a scene where my character and Harley Quinn Smith’s character engage in a playful dress-up session and roller skate.]

To finish up, you and Mason filmed a segment for Letterboxd on the Heart Eyes set. Did he wear any piece of your costume while filming that part?

(Chuckles.) Indeed, he was quite eccentric. Arriving on set, he donned a tank top bearing the message, “Olivia Holt’s #1 fan,” and followed his usual attire of sweatpants and Converse shoes. It seems he had an unusual idea, as he opted to wear my costume. I had oversized shorts for the harness used in some stunt scenes, which he found appealing. So, he wore them all day long, even sporting my belt. The entire day was quite extraordinary.

Was there a “who wore it better?” vote amongst the crew? 

Yeah, of course, everyone said Mason.

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Heart Eyes opens in theaters Feb. 7.

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2025-02-05 01:55