We were joined on the Popternative show by Adrianne Palicki (The Orville, Friday Night Lights) and Henry Thomas (The Haunting of Hill House, E.T.) to discuss their new indie drama, Due West. Directed an co-written by Evan Miller (Thoughts and Prayers), the film follows a small-town woman (Palicki) who embarks on a harrowing journey across rural Texas in search of medical care after an unintended pregnancy.
Due West was released on VOD on July 28 and the cast also includes Ciara Bravo (Voicemails for Isabelle, herry, Cherry), Matt Lauria (Kingdom, Sheriff Country), and Odette Annable (Walker, The Unborn).
Thomas portrays Pastor Mike, a man whose firmly held anti-abortion convictions are put to the test when he learns more about the woman’s situation and finds himself torn between his beliefs and his compassion. For Thomas, the opportunity to portray Pastor Mike was rooted in the character’s internal conflict. During our conversation, he explained why he was drawn to playing someone whose deeply held beliefs are challenged and why he believes films like Due West should encourage audiences to reflect on difficult issues.
“As an actor, it’s very interesting to have a character like Pastor Mike who is kind of caught in a moral conundrum. There’s so many things to play in that universe and I think that [some] corporations don’t want to touch these issues because it’s risky. But I think that good art makes you think; it makes you question things. It makes you see things from a different perspective. [This film] present[s] a story and a human story at that. These stories are important to tell and art should make you think.”
Palicki’s connection to Due West ran deeper than starring in the film. Having previously collaborated with writer-director Evan Miller, she was determined to help bring his latest project to life, taking on both acting and producing responsibilities.
“Evan is one of my dearest friends and one of my favorite directors I’ve worked with. We did a really amazing short together [and] I just couldn’t wait to do this with him. I knew it was going to be a lot. I knew it was going to be intense. It was going to be hard to get the financing. But I could see it in my head and I felt like I had to do this film.”
Watch the full conversation with Adrianne Palicki and Henry Thomas below.
Due West is available on VOD.
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