“Men don’t live in a woman’s head every day”: Mimi Cave & Jojo T Gibbs on Fresh

Whatever they do, viewers should not be fooled by the Disney brand logo as they plunge headfirst into new film Fresh – nor by Daisy Edgar-Jones’s (of Normal People fame) girl-next-door sensibilities, here transplanted into US romcom territory to great effect. This not for the fainthearted.

When the audience meets Noa (Edgar-Jones), she’s a kind of disenchanted 30-something everywoman doing her best to navigate the strange and ridiculous world of contemporary dating via obnoxious men and unsolicited dick pics. She tries to muster some enthusiasm for those she connects with on apps and for some very lacklustre dates, while finding some much-needed respite in taking the piss out of the real low points with best mate Mollie (Jojo T Gibbs) over punching bags at the gym. So far, so standard. When she bumps into Steve (a brilliantly on-point Sebastian Stan) by chance in the fruit and veg aisle at the supermarket, her ennui finally seems to be broken, as someone she can actually click with enters into her life. Sparks fly, the chemistry is palpable and she finds herself falling head over heels for this seeming prince, who has swept her off her feet and is promising a mini break to the country.

As this first act closes, however, the illusion shatters faster than anyone could ever have bargained for. In the interests of remaining spoiler-free, it turns out Steve is harbouring a disturbing secret, and what comes next is something straight out of the horror movies of yore, all exposed under the bright, unflinching light of Mimi Cave’s bold debut directorial eye and set to a banging irreverent 70s and 80s-inspired soundtrack. Mollie and Noa’s fight for her survival becomes a metaphor for the battle women are fighting each day in the modern world; against assault, against objectification, against abuse, whether online or “in real life”. But the movie doesn’t dwell on these matters too philosophically. This is a new ilk of romantic thriller with the comedy kept firmly on a simmer. 

The Upcoming had the chance to chat about the movie with Cave (who cut her teeth making Sylvan Esso music videos no less) and Gibbs, who spoke about lulling audiences into familiar territory before upending all expectations, casting and working with Edgar-Jones, the film’s darkly humorous tone and its underlying themes of exposing the threats women face every day. Cave said: “Men don’t live in a woman’s head every day so I think it’s a nice way to start a conversation with people in your life about making sure that you are safe and that you are taking precautions when you are in situations where you’re with people you don’t know.” Watch the rest of the interview below.

Sarah Bradbury

Fresh is released digitally on demand in the UK and Ireland on 18^th March 2022.

Read our review of Fresh here.

Watch the trailer for Fresh here: