Megan Lawless, the breakout star of the box-office horror hit Obsession, has secured her next major film role. The 26-year-old actress will lead the cast of Crushed, an upcoming independent romantic comedy. The production marks a notable shift in genre for Megan Lawless, who recently drew widespread industry attention for her performance in psychological horror. According to initial industry reports, filming for the new project is already underway.
A Search for the Ideal Relationship
In Crushed movie, Megan Lawless will portray Joss, a character described as a hopeless romantic at heart. The plot centers on her struggles with unrequited feelings, as her romantic infatuations are rarely returned. Following a series of failed attempts at finding a partner, Joss decides to embark on a deliberate quest to find one perfect crush. The narrative follows her journey as she searches for a person who might finally prove to be the right match for her.
The project marks the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Stephanie Donnelly.
Production Begins in Chicago
Filming for the independent film is currently taking place on location in Chicago. While the core premise and directorial team have been confirmed, the underlying distribution arrangements remain unannounced. Detailed information regarding the wider supporting cast, production budget, and an anticipated theatrical or streaming release timeline has not yet been disclosed by the filmmakers.
The casting aligns with professional milestones previously discussed by the actress. In an interview with Vogue Singapore following her recent success, Megan Lawless expressed a strong desire to diversify her portfolio by exploring lighter material. "I'd love to be the romantic lead of some sort of romance, and I actually would love to do some comedy," Megan Lawless said at the time, noting her interest in trying multiple genres across film and television.
A Shift From Box-Office Horror
The move into romantic comedy follows a highly publicized breakthrough for Megan Lawless in the horror film Obsession, directed by Curry Barker. Acquired by Focus Features for $15 million after its premiere in the Midnight Madness section at the Toronto International Film Festival, Obsession became a massive commercial success, grossing more than $500 million at the global box office. The performance established the film as the highest-grossing acquisition in the history of the festival, as well as the top-grossing release for Focus Features to date.
In Obsession, Megan Lawless played Sarah Harper, a supportive friend caught in the middle of a dark, supernatural conflict. The intense nature of that role stands in stark contrast to the lighthearted, contemporary relationship focus central to the script of Crushed.
Beyond her breakthrough horror role, Megan Lawless has built a steady screen career over the past decade. Her previous credits include appearances in the MTV teen drama Finding Carter, the 2017 feature Table 19, and the 2018 film adaptation of The Hate U Give. She also appeared in a recurring capacity as Riley Anderson in the Hulu limited biographical crime drama The Girl from Plainville.
What Happens Next
As production continues on Crushed in Chicago, Megan Lawless is managing an expanding upcoming slate. Earlier this summer, announcements confirmed that she will also star alongside WWE champion Liv Morgan in Ping, an upcoming psychological thriller focusing on a manipulative wellness startup.
With Crushed movie now actively filming, representatives for the production are expected to share further details regarding additional casting choices and international distribution rights as the project advances through principal photography.
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