Halloween is upon, and Blumhouse can be counted on to drop a good scare in time for everyone's trick-or-treating festivities. This year, Run Sweetheart Run does that trick, with the movie now available to stream on Amazon Prime. The film is led by Ella Baskin, and Emmy-winner Shohreh Agdashloo also drops in for the movie's spine-tingling tale.
In Run Sweetheart Run, Cherie (Baskin) is invited on a date with the seemingly charming Ethan (Pilou Asbæk), but the evening quickly turns dire when Cherie finds herself fleeing for her life from Ethan, who has turned her into the object of a hunt. As Cherie tries to escape her murderous pursuer, she runs into the "First Lady" (Aghdashloo), who had her own history with this very kind of terrifying situation.
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We speak to Shohreh Aghdashloo on the making of Run Sweetheart Run, her role in the film as the First Lady, and some of the larger themes of the movie's story.
Shohreh Aghdashloo on Run Sweetheart Run
Screen Rant: How did you become involved with Run Sweetheart Run?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: Well, I was offered the role, and I also loved the story and the part. She is a pretty sophisticated, wise, courageous woman, and I immediately said yes, because I wanted this film to be made, and I wanted to send out this message. I would love for this film to be seen by all generations, especially young people.
Without giving too much away, the film takes place in kind of a compressed time frame, and of course, you were also having to deal with the effects of the pandemic while making it. How did that all impact the storytelling of Run Sweetheart Run?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: Yes, I love this movie's storytelling style. Although the genre is pretty familiar to everyone, each of these kinds of films has its own flair, which was what I loved about the story, but it was a hard one to make during the coronavirus time. So first, we shot a bit, and then we had to stop when the whole world came to a halt and started again. But finally, we managed to finish it a couple of months ago.
Without going into spoilers, what can you reveal about your character the First Lady, and her role in Run Sweetheart Run, and how was it different from other roles you’ve played?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: Well, I wouldn't say very different because I'm portraying a powerful woman who's trying to put an end to this violence that is going on in our society. The way I'd describe her is that this woman truly believes that solidarity amongst victims can stop predators, and it meant a lot to me when I first read it because I've always thought that an attack on one woman is an attack on all women. So, when one woman is attacked, we should all get together and stop the predator and the violence. She thoroughly believes in that, and she's also a powerful, courageous woman who is not afraid of putting an end to this monster that is hunting them.
Relating to that, what were some of your favorite scenes or moments from the making of Run Sweetheart Run and the First Lady’s role in the story?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: I have a couple of them. One is when she [Cherie] comes to me, and she's pretty confused as to whether she should trust me or not. I like that scene so much because this movie is really about the issue of trust. Are we supposed to trust any stranger just because they're a friend of a friend, or they're rich or holding a key position? No, we shouldn't. So it's about the caution that we should be careful no matter what.
These monsters live amongst us. So therefore, we have to think twice about every meeting we attend and ask ourselves, "Who is this person?" "What if they ask me to go for a second drink after the business is done or the blind date is done?" "What if this?" "What if that?" as I'm driving to have dinner with them. So it's a multi-layered film trying to bring us the reality of this problem that's out there with the monsters living there. So that's why I liked this project so much and wanted to be a part of it.
You mentioned Run Sweetheart Run went through a COVID shutdown. What was the timeline of that, and how much did it push back finishing the film?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: We had to shut down for a couple of months. But, to tell you the truth, it's interesting. Every time your heart is in a project and you have to stop for whatever reason, when you get back to it, no matter how many months or years later - and it happened to me with The Expanse, as well - it is as though you're just picking it up from where you left it off as though there hasn't been any time-lapse in between. So we all got together, and it was like, 'Okay, we were here yesterday; let's finish it today.
What was the experience of working with Ella Baskin like in playing such a pivotal role in her role as Cherie, who is in a very tight situation in the film?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: She's a lovely young lady and a very good actress. I actually have more fun doing dramas and horror movies than comedies because, in comedy, we keep our energy and everything we have at our disposal for the film. With drama and horror, we have some fun, tell each other jokes and make it fun to be pretty serious when we're in front of the camera. So, we had a lot of fun, and she's a lovely young woman.
With the themes that Run Sweetheart Run deals with in predatory behavior, what is the biggest thing you hope people take away from this movie?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: I would love for them to take away the core of the idea, be cautious, and not trust anyone until you get to know them. It's about that second drink you take after a business meeting or a blind date. Just be cautious. Some people are too optimistic or dreamy like the whole world is a beautiful place for women and everybody is friendly, but it's not true.
Monsters are living amongst us, and we have to be careful. It's a very entertaining, edge-of-the-seat movie. I was a part of it, but when I watched it with my daughter, every time I would gasp on the edge of my chair, my daughter was like, 'You did the movie! You're a part of it, and you're still scared?' and I said, 'I am scared because I'm thinking, 'What if this happens to you?' and I'm glad I'm learning my lessons watching this film.
About Run Sweetheart Run
Initially apprehensive when her boss insists she meet with one of his most important clients, single mom Cherie (Ella Balinska) is relieved and excited when she meets charismatic Ethan (Pilou Asbæk). The influential businessman defies expectations and sweeps Cherie off her feet. But at the end of the night, when the two are alone together, he reveals his true, violent nature. Battered and terrified, she flees for her life, beginning a relentless game of cat-and-mouse with a blood-thirsty assailant hell-bent on her utter destruction. In this edge-of-your-seat dark thriller, Cherie finds herself in the crosshairs of a conspiracy stranger and more evil than she could have ever imagined.
Check out our other interviews for Run Sweetheart Run here:
- Ella Balinska
- Pilou Asbæk
NEXT:
Run Sweetheart Run is now available to stream on Amazon Prime.
