Movies & TV / Columns
Rebekah Kennedy On Her Role In Crust, Working With Sean Whalen
Image Credit: Anchor Bay Entertainment
The 411 Interview: Rebekah Kennedy
Rebekah Kennedy is an actor, director, and producer that has been involved in the entertainment business, according to her IMDB page, since at least 2007. Kennedy has appeared in such TV shows as Memphis Beast (2011), Ghostbreakers (2011), Throwing Stones (2011), Criminal Minds (2016), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2018), Station 19 (2020), and The Lincoln Lawyer (2024), and such movies as Creature (2011), Bastard (2015), Limbo (2019), Two Witches (2021), Los Angeles (2021), The Unseen (2023), and Fear, Forget My Name (2024), among others. Kennedy’s latest movie is the horror-comedy Crust, directed by and starring Sean Whalen and featuring Daniel Roebuck, Felissa Rose, and Alan Ruck and will be available on all major streaming platforms starting November 12th, 2024, and on DVD and Blu-ray starting December 10th, 2024. In this interview, Kennedy talks with this writer about making Crust, working with director/star Sean Whalen, the cast of Crust, and more.
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Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with Crust?
Rebekah Kennedy: Sean and I had been acquaintances/friends for a while. We worked on the same film and went to each other’s birthday parties. In 2016, when they did the table read for Crust, Sean had asked me to read a smaller role in the movie, which I was happy to be a part of in any capacity as I thought the script was fantastic. The night before the table read, he asked me to step in and read for Nila. I went in not expecting anything to come from it, but just to have a great time. I loved the role, but I didn’t want to get attached because there was no guarantee of anything. Fast forward to December of 2022, and Sean called me and told me they were shooting in May and did I want to play Nila. I was definitely thrilled and immediately in. It felt like a no brainier. I think the script is so fun, unique, and weird. And Nila is witty, loves hard, and is way cooler than I am.
BK: How did you approach your character Nila?
RK: Well, I always look for what I can relate to with a character first. Nila is someone who hasn’t always felt seen, is trying to figure out her life and where she fits in. I can definitely relate to that feeling, I think we all can at some point in our lives. So at the beginning, I come in that way. I have not played a lot of “normal” characters or done a lot of comedy yet and Nila is my first romantic lead. I was really nervous at the start, I will admit. I really focused on staying grounded in what she was feeling. Nila is really trying to find her place in this world and make a difference to someone. Those were human emotions I could grasp onto. At the end of the day, she is looking for someone to love all of her, and I know what that is.
BK: Describe your working relationship with director and co-star Sean Whalen.
RK: Working with Sean Whalen was a dream. He’s a fantastic actor and just as awesome as a director. We worked for 3 months prior to filming which made a huge difference once we got to set. I felt like once we were shooting, we could really let go and just be free. He made it really easy, as well. All the work was there, I just had to pay attention. He also made the set really comfortable and a place any ideas were welcome. He is specific in what he wants, but he’s also open to your interpretation and gives you the time and space to find it. Sean had a heavy load in Crust. He was directing and starring in it, but it seemed effortless. He absolutely crushed it. He’s brilliant in the film and really brought Vegas to life. I also feel like we both just understand each other. We both have always played much younger than we are and often are playing odd characters (which I love) but we just clicked in that way. He gave me the opportunity to play something different and be seen in a new way, and I will forever be thankful for that.
BK: What was it like working with the cast of Crust? What was it like working with Daniel Roebuck?
RK: Working with this cast was amazing. Everyone was so kind and encouraging. The set was just fun. We had dance parties at lunch. It just didn’t feel stressful. I was constantly reminded why I do this in the first place, because I love it so much, which sometimes can get lost, when the experience itself is not great. Working with Danny was wonderful! I did a Criminal Minds episode with him back in 2015 where he played a guy who kidnapped me and held me in a basement for 10 years. That was an extremely heavy episode, and I hadn’t seen him since, so this was a great chance to reunite. He’s really lovely, kind, encouraging, and supportive. He’s also really fun to watch work. I think he’s spectacular in Crust.
BK: What was it like working with Crust the sock monster?
RK: Oh, Crust is so cute! Our puppeteer, Rachel Burson, really just brought him to life in a way I hadn’t dreamed possible. Watching her work was genius. She was never behind a green screen and there was no CGI. She just hid behind tables or beds or cramped her way inside something. It felt many times like we were working with a real sock monster and what a dream for an actor to be able to interact in that way.
BK: What was the hardest part of making Crust for you as an actor? What was the easiest?
RK: I think the hardest part of making Crust, which is going to sound really cheesy, was it ending. It was hard to say goodbye to Nila as I really loved playing her. The easiest was just being with everyone. The cast and crew were incredible. Everyone there just wanted to make the best movie possible. There were no egos. We all just wanted to create something fun and different and that was really beautiful.
BK: What is your favorite scene in Crust?
RK: I think my favorite scene in the movie (in terms of what I’m involved in) is Vegas and Nila’s date scene on the dryer. You don’t always get those quiet scenes in horror films, so I love that we got the opportunity to do that. In terms of what I’m not involved in – my favorite scene is the dance. It really makes me smile and it’s so bizarre and I love it.
BK: You’ve worked in both TV and movies in your career. Do you have a preference for either or is it ultimately all about the material?
RK: I really don’t have a preference. I feel really lucky to have gotten the opportunity to play roles I really love both in movies and TV. I really have loved working in both mediums and I hope to continue to be able to do so.
BK: You’ve also appeared in a number of horror movies in your career. Do you enjoy working in the genre?
RK: I do really enjoy working in the genre. I’ve loved horror films since I was 11, but back then I never imagined getting to work in horror. But I’ve gotten to explore many different characters and subgenres. It’s been challenging and exciting all at the same time. It’s not easy work, so I always feel like I’m being stretched as an actor in new ways. It’s been really great to be able to dive into horror in this capacity and I’m excited to see what is in store in the future.
BK: According to IMDB you’ve directed 2 episodes of a TV miniseries and a short film. Is directing something you intend to pursue in the future?
RK: Yeah, I hope to be able to pursue more in the future. I’ve just started really producing as well, so it’s been an interesting challenge to also explore more of the other side of the camera. It’s not easy work, so I have so much respect for those who help get our projects made.
BK: Any moviemaking heroes?
RK: Oh, it’s so hard to narrow down, but I will name a few! Mike Flanagan, Greta Gerwig, Emerald Fennel, David Fincher, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, Jordan Peele, just to name a few that I would love to work with!
BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
RK: Well, currently I have a horror mystery thriller called The Veil that is out now on Amazon and Apple TV. I play a young Amish woman who runs away and ends up on the doorstep of an ex-Catholic priest. It’s a beautiful film about finding redemption in past mistakes, and I had a really fantastic time making the movie. I have a recurring role in 2 episodes of season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer that is out now on Netflix. I had a great time working on that show, and the cast and crew are so incredibly kind. Coming up I have another horror film called Traumatika, that is the same team behind my horror film Two Witches, that is currently playing festivals and a sci-fi mystery called The Otherkind. And I’m currently filming a horror movie called Regression.
BK: What do you hope audiences get out of Crust?
RK: Crust is a fun wacky comedy, but it also deals with depression, anxiety, and has a lot of heart. I truly think there is something in there for everyone. I hope they come away having a great time, falling in love with some of the characters, and hopefully laughing a lot.
BK: Do you like going to the laundromat in real life?
RK: It’s definitely a place of peace. You can relax, read a book, watch a TV show, or listen to a podcast while your clothes dry.
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A very special thanks to Rebekah Kennedy for agreeing to participate in this interview and to david j. moore for setting it up.
Crust will be available on all major Video On Demand platforms starting November 12th, 2024, and on DVD and Blu-ray starting December 10th, 2024.
Check out my review of Crust here!
Check out the official Crust Facebook page here and official Twitter page here!
Check out Rebekah Kennedy’s official website here, official Twitter page here, and official Facebook page here!
Check out Rebekah Kennedy’s IMDB page here!
Rebekah Kennedy image courtesy of Rebekah Kennedy. All other images courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment.
