Alia Shawkat and Kristen Stewart are reuniting for Neon's stoner comedy "The Wrong Girls," arriving in theaters August 14. The pairing marks a notable return for the actors, who last shared screen time in 2010's "The Runaways," where they played members of the legendary 1970s rock band.
At a recent screening, Shawkat reflected on their earlier collaboration with candor. She noted that during "The Runaways," she "literally was not allowed to speak," describing herself and Stewart as children navigating a professional film set. That experience contrasts sharply with "The Wrong Girls," where Shawkat gets considerable agency within the ensemble narrative.
"The Wrong Girls" marks Dylan Meyer's feature directorial debut. Meyer, who wrote the script, brings her sensibility to a comedy about misadventure and female friendship. Neon distributing the project signals the indie studio's confidence in the material and its commercial appeal beyond art-house audiences. The company has built a reputation for unconventional comedies and character-driven narratives, suggesting "The Wrong Girls" likely leans into quirky, irreverent territory.
Shawkat's openness about her limited role in "The Runaways" speaks to broader industry conversations about how younger actors are treated on sets and the creative constraints placed on them. Her ability to speak about that experience now, alongside reunion news with Stewart, frames both the personal and professional growth she's experienced in the intervening years.
Stewart's involvement in the project adds another layer of intrigue, given her own evolution from franchise tentpole acting to indie and arthouse cinema. Both actors have demonstrated commitment to smaller, character-focused projects that prioritize creative risk-taking over commercial safety.
The August 14 release date positions "The Wrong Girls" in summer's tail end