For our latest digital feature, we caught up with Chloe Fox, who stars in the psychological thriller The Highest Stakes alongside Seth Green, Kevin Dillon, Charlie Weber, Eloise Lovell Anderson, Dan Bucatinsky, and Dylan Walsh. The film arrived on digital on April 14 and delivers a tense, twist-filled ride where danger lurks behind every hand dealt.
Set against the backdrop of a luxury hotel, the film follows five strangers brought together for an elite poker game with a huge prize on the line. But as the night goes on, the competition takes a deadly turn, forcing the players into a ruthless battle where true motives emerge and survival becomes the ultimate gamble.
Chloe discusses the audition process and quick turnaround into filming for The Highest Stakes, along with how she prepared for her role of Celeste and reflects on learning the game of poker during production.
Photography: Peter Ashenhurst
What was your audition process like for The Highest Stakes?
Chloe: I was originally sent two scenes by my agent to film for a self-tape. I assumed I hadn’t got it as I didn’t hear back for months. I was then asked to go to an in person re-call to do the same scenes for the producer Steven Paul. It was a very relaxed audition, and Steven had a calming presence which really helped my nerves. Eloise had already been cast as Aurora and was there helping with the auditions, so she was the first actor on board I got to meet. I was told they were looking to cast and start filming straight away so I’d hear back from casting very soon. I heard that I got the role a couple of days later; I was thrilled.
What was the preparation like for your character?
Chloe: Due to the fact we started filming almost immediately after casting, there wasn’t too much time to prep for the role of Celeste at all. It really was a whirlwind, but that made it all so exciting. I read the whole script, and we also did a table read a couple of days before filming, and that really helped bring things to life. Celeste is a little bit younger than I am and is vulnerable, naive, and has to go through a lot. I think I just really tried to draw back feelings of my late teens and experiences I’ve had to face that make you grow up faster and test your ability to see the best in people.
How much did you know about poker before signing on for this project?
Chloe: I actually had never played poker before this role. And even on the job, I never really got to play. But it definitely sparked my interest, and I wanted to give it a go. I got on so well with all the cast and crew; it was such a lovely bunch of people. After we wrapped, I actually went to LA to visit some of the cast members. I was taught by Charlie [Weber[ how to play poker. We played for hours and I kept winning, so I feel like I was pretty good at it for a first try. Although I’m keen to give it another go soon to make sure it wasn’t beginners luck.
What was it like reading the script for this initially and then seeing it come to life when you got to production?
Chloe: The script was great. Psychological thrillers are one of my favourite genres, so I was super excited to be able to be a part of this project. I remember it was after we did the table read, though, that made me feel like this was going to be really special. Hearing everyone bring the script to life just with their words already started to make this story feel like magic.
Chloe: It was great when I finally got to meet everyone in person and work with them. We got on so well as a team and agreed it felt like a rare experience to be a part of. All of us felt so passionate about this project; we’d go for dinner after work and still be talking about it all night. I felt so lucky to be able to work with such talented people, and being able to see the finished product makes me feel proud to have been part of telling such a moving story.
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The Highest Stakes is available to rent or puchase on Digital.
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