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Below is an edited, condensed version of that conversation (including some spoilers).
Geminiis clearly inspired by a lot of classic L.A. neo-noirs.
Which movies specifically were you thinking about when you made the film?
Aaron Katz:A lot of Los Angelesset thrillers from the 80s and 90s on VHS tape.
Lola, can you tell me about your audition?
Lola Kirke:Well, I didnt have to audition, which is such a rare pleasure.
My manager told me, This guy Aaron wrote a movie for you.
I was like, What?
Whyd you write it for her specifically?
Aaron:Lolas not making that up.
John Cho:Now Im feeling self-conscious.
Aaron:John, youre barely in this movie [laughs].
I think I particularly responded to how it was hard to pin him down.
I found that interesting about him.
It could be true, it could not be true.
It was all very interesting to play, and I didnt really worry about screen time.
I was the MILF guy inAmerican Pie!
Aaron:There are multiple ways to read the end of the movie.
We dont necessarily, as an audience, get to know what that is.
Thats something thats internal with them.
I want to talk a little bit about the freaky fucked-up best friends genre.
Theres along-standing cinematic traditionof women having secretive, twisted friendships.
Lola, did you draw on any of your own friendships to create this dynamic with Zoe?
Lola:I dont think they have a fucked-up relationship, theyre just very fucked-up [individually].
I think that Jill sees that and likes her.
I think that shes a very likable person, in a lot of ways.
To that point, Im curious, as two famous people, what rang true to you?
John:The adoration rang true [laughs].
Im struggling to think about little things.
Lola:Oh, yeah.
I dont do that, because Im not that famous, but more famous people do.
John, do you check yours?
Have you guys ever had any sort of unsettling interactions with a fan?
I was like, No, Im not.
I have to make a cryptic, weird new email because Im just too famous.
So I didnt get to experience anything truly weird.
Except my own ego.
John:Well, I think what rings true is the [idea of] spatial violation.
How [the fan] comes over and sits in the booth.
And then people will touch you or come really close, or grab you from behind.
Thats a small thing, but it can be unsettling.
Was that something you were trying, purposefully, to upend?
And especially in the detective genre, there are just so few movies with women in the lead.
But I also think that, on a subconscious level, I wanted to see something different.
And I wanted the genre to feel like it reflected something about today and the fabric of Los Angeles.
Whyd you decide to include the punching scene?
Aaron:Oh, the punching scene!
It felt really important to have this physical manifestation of anger.
It felt like there needed to be this release.
Lola:Its a funny thing, because I think typically people dont volunteer to be punched.
Its a way of asserting power.
But it once again speaks to this strange dynamic not toxic, just strange.
[Heather] is giving [Jill] the permission to take power in that moment.
I think thats really interesting.
Lola:That was 100 percent Zoe Kravitz [laughs].
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