An intense hostage situation breaks out on Christmas Eve at a convenience store in writer/director Dan Brown’s feature debut, Your Lucky Day (our review). The propulsive, suspenseful thriller features an ensemble cast, with actor Jessica Garza stealing the entire film as the sympathetic yet primal Ana. Both Brown and Garza spoke with Bloody Disgusting about Your Lucky Day at Fantastic Fest, where they chatted about the twisty thriller.
Brown finds inventive ways to keep the mostly single-location thriller moving through narrative turns and a suspenseful escalation of violence and stakes. The filmmaker tells Bloody Disgusting that keeping audiences on their toes was vital for him in creating this story.
“I like trying to find surprises; I do really love surprises in a story. That was paramount, like, how do we keep this interesting? How does it change? And what are the things that would make that a fun experience? I think that’s where my head goes. I don’t know how I do it, but that’s the way that makes the most sense. How can it be as much fun as possible? It’s all trapped in one place. So hopefully, make it surprising. Make you feel like you’re not just hanging out in a room,” Brown explains.
One of the biggest surprises of the film is the robust character arc that Jessica Garza’s Ana undergoes. That was absolutely part of the allure for Garza.
She tells Bloody Disgusting, “Definitely the journey that all the characters go through is spectacular, but what drew me is so much of the complexity of her and so much too, I guess, the protective nature she has is also really interesting to me. This vulnerability, but also the strength, the chance to have this physical thing that I’ve never had to act before. Also, not to get into it, but it’s a very physical movie beyond my character being pregnant. That’s also something I haven’t experienced too much, or I haven’t been able to participate in the physical nature of it.
“I’ve watched other people in other scenes of projects that I’ve been in participate in that nature. But to be on the floor and the knees and the hands and just everything, elbows, and all the body parts were being used at all times. That was really exciting and helped me not focus on my face and all these other things that can easily get in the way. It was fun to get physical.”
Brown adds, “And I wanted her to be like a surprise even to herself. She’s going through this, and, as it’s happening, she’s realizing she has all this power agency that she’s maybe not even letting herself out.”
Your Lucky Day makes bold choices in its storytelling and biting commentary. When asked about his approach to this audacious indie effort, Brown quips, “Well, I believe in being reckless. I guess those are the reasons why you would do it. I do think it’s a small movie, and the only real leverage we have is something that maybe you’re not going to get somewhere else.”
Your Lucky Day screens at Fantastic Fest before releasing in theaters on November 10, followed by Digital on November 14.
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