John Early and Kate Berlant are promoting Maddie's Secret at the Toronto Film Festival. In his directorial debut, Early plays a food influencer with bulimia in a wild flip on the modern melodrama.
A Unique Character
Maddie Ralph, played by Early, is a bright-eyed dishwasher who dreams of becoming a food influencer. Despite an eating disorder threatening her goal, she remains lovable. “I wanted to make a character that people feel very endeared to and protective of,” says Early. At festival screenings, fans react with affection, shouting “MADDIEEEEEE!”
Collaboration and Inspiration
Early and Berlant, who met in the Brooklyn comedy scene in the early 2010s, have worked together on various projects. Berlant plays Deena, Maddie's spicy lesbian best friend. The film draws inspiration from old TV movies like 1986's Kate's Secret and 1992's The Secret Life of Mary-Margaret, which dealt with bulimia in a lurid, sensationalistic style.
Tonal Balance
The film balances comedy and tragedy. “It goes so hard in both directions,” says Early. The humor comes from tropey movie moments with modern language, while the eating disorder is treated seriously. Early’s performance includes hilarious mannerisms, but he also earns empathy as Maddie’s health declines.
Behind the Scenes
Early credits his intense performance to his role in the off-Broadway play What We Did Before Our Moth Days, which made him feel “cracked open.” He also draws inspiration from peers like Cole Escola, whose show Oh, Mary! proved that risk-taking films can thrive.
Maddie’s Secret is out in the US on 19 June, with UK and Australian dates to be announced.
