Bree Elrod on Red Rocket: Unraveling Lexi’s Unbreakable Bond with Mikey and the Magic of Sean Baker’s Vision
The critically acclaimed independent film, Red Rocket, a captivating creation from the distinctive mind of visionary filmmaker Sean Baker, dives into the raw and often gritty reality of human connections. The narrative centers on Mikey Saber, a washed-up adult film star who, after exhausting all options, makes a desperate return to his small Texas hometown. Here, he inevitably crosses paths with his estranged ex-wife, Lexi, a character brought to life with remarkable depth and nuance by the talented actress Bree Elrod. While Lexi, by all conventional measures, should unceremoniously eject Mikey from her life, an undeniable, perplexing connection keeps her from severing ties once and for all. In an exclusive interview with HollywoodLife, Bree Elrod delved into the intricacies of this profoundly complicated and often turbulent relationship between Lexi and Mikey, offering unique insights into what makes their bond so enduring and fascinating to audiences and critics alike.
“There’s something about Mikey that is just — as much as she hates him — she finds him utterly irresistible,” Bree revealed to HollywoodLife, shedding light on Lexi’s internal conflict. “I think that we all know people who are in relationships that are inextricably drawn to drama, to the chaotic energy that certain individuals bring into their lives. Lexi is no exception. Despite Mikey’s clear flaws and the pain he has inflicted, there’s a magnetic pull, a familiar gravitational force that keeps her tethered to him. It’s a dynamic that defies simple logic, rooted in a shared history and perhaps, a mutual understanding that no one else truly possesses.” This complexity is at the core of Red Rocket, offering a genuine portrayal of imperfect love and the often-irrational choices people make in the name of connection, however tumultuous.
Crafting On-Screen Chemistry: The Collaborative Magic with Simon Rex
When Mikey, portrayed by the dynamic Simon Rex, inevitably comes crawling back into Lexi’s life, seeking refuge and a place to stay, their interactions are immediately charged with palpable hostility and a long-simmering resentment. Yet, beneath this tension lies an undeniable current of familiarity and a history that cannot be easily erased. Bree Elrod expressed immense joy and creative satisfaction in collaborating with her co-star, Simon Rex, to meticulously develop and portray this intricate and deeply layered connection between their characters. Their work together was instrumental in making the audience believe in the enduring, albeit fraught, bond between Lexi and Mikey, a cornerstone of Red Rocket‘s emotional impact.
“I think we had one afternoon of doing that first scene, just kind of feeling it out,” Bree elaborated on their initial collaborative efforts. “As soon as we started playing, I was like, okay, this is going to be great. This is going to be really fun because Simon is just so open and playful and game and willing to just explore together. That is such a gift as an actor to another actor. He’s just very generous, so we just had such a good time.” This collaborative spirit, encouraged by director Sean Baker, allowed for an organic development of their characters’ relationship, making it feel authentic and lived-in. Bree continued, describing the joy found even in the most chaotic scenes: “It was really fun because when the cameras turn off we would just burst into laughter, especially in those last scenes where he’s leaving and the chaos ensues. Sean was very much like, ‘Let’s just play. You guys just go crazy.’ The fact that he packs up her Big Stripes cup, and she’s so upset about it. But at that moment, the stakes are so high. Of course, she would be upset that he’s taking the cup, and he knows how much her Big Stripes cup means to her. It was such a treat to be able to work with him and find our history together. I think that when you’re watching it, you can kind of feel like, ‘Oh, I get why these two would be together.’” This natural, unscripted exploration of their dynamic imbues their on-screen chemistry with a powerful sense of history and genuine, albeit volatile, affection, resonating deeply with viewers.
Lexi’s Deep Understanding: Beyond Mikey’s Facade
Despite Mikey’s relentless pursuit of a much younger woman named Strawberry, Bree Elrod firmly believes that Lexi possesses an unparalleled understanding of him, a depth of insight that no one else in his life can claim. “I feel like in the world with Lexi he is most himself. He is the most no-bullsh*t, even though he’s lying to her,” Bree candidly admitted. “He definitely doesn’t have to turn on anything. They have this familiarity and this history with each other, and I think there’s something really kind of beautiful and maybe toxic but also beautiful. There is a love for each other there and, and I hope that people will see that.” This profound intimacy allows Mikey to shed his various personas and be genuinely vulnerable, even if that vulnerability often manifests in manipulation. Lexi sees through his schemes, yet her understanding is tinged with an enduring affection, portraying a complex form of love that transcends his actions.
Expanding on the depiction of their relationship, Bree also highlighted the narrative significance of their intimate moments. “Even in the intimate scenes, they are telling a story. So the first one, it’s familiar. They’re not even taking their clothes off kind of thing. And then the second one where she’s on top, it says she’s in control. I think she’s like letting herself feel some bigger things, and I do think she would not do that if she didn’t have some deeper connection with him. I really do think she loves him.” These scenes are not merely gratuitous but serve as crucial storytelling elements, revealing Lexi’s agency, her complex emotional landscape, and the unspoken depths of her connection to Mikey. They underscore the idea that while their relationship is undeniably flawed and often destructive, a genuine, powerful love underpins Lexi’s continued devotion and understanding of Mikey’s true self, even amidst his most self-serving endeavors.
Portraying a Survivor: Bree Elrod’s Deep Dive into Lexi’s Resilience
As Bree Elrod delved deeper into exploring the multifaceted character of Lexi, she found herself profoundly “fascinated by her life and kind of the hardships she has been through and how she still manages to find humor and some little moments of joy in the world and in home life.” This exploration led Bree to a powerful realization about the human spirit’s resilience. “I was just really struck by that no matter what your circumstances are, you can always eke out a little bit of joy,” she reflected. “I loved that about Lexi, and I love that she’s a survivor. I love that she does what she can to make ends meet, but yet she’s so loyal to her mother and to the people in her life. She’s got a really big heart. She’s sarcastic. She’s sassy. She’s strong. I really just was so taken by her.” Lexi embodies a powerful testament to endurance, a woman who navigates immense personal struggles with an unwavering spirit, maintaining her wit, strength, and capacity for love and loyalty despite the odds. Her portrayal by Bree Elrod captures this intricate balance, making Lexi a deeply relatable and compelling character who resonates with audiences long after the credits roll.
A Pandemic Pivot: How the Role of Lexi Found Bree Elrod
The opportunity to portray Lexi in Red Rocket arrived at a uniquely challenging time, in the tumultuous middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bree Elrod openly admitted to feeling uncertain about her professional future, like many in the entertainment industry, due to the pandemic’s unprecedented impact on film production. “I was just kind of having this, as we all were, existential and heart-to-heart with myself,” Bree recalled, describing a period of deep introspection and concern. It was during this period of personal and global uncertainty that she received a pivotal call from producer Samantha Quan. “She was like, ‘Bree, we were going to be working on this project in Canada, but it requires a lot of crowd scenes, so we’re having to pivot, which is the word of the pandemic. We’re having to pivot, and we are working on this passion project that Sean [Baker] is very excited about. We were trying to come up with who we thought would be able to play Lexi,'” Bree revealed, detailing the serendipitous turn of events. “And she’s like, ‘I was working out this morning, and I just dropped my barbell and thought Bree Elrod could do this.’ She said she would love for me to audition for this, so they gave me this monologue that wasn’t part of the script because they weren’t quite done with the script yet. I worked on this monologue. She was like, ‘No makeup, just very natural. Just straight to the camera.’ I worked it up and sent it in and then a couple of hours later, she was like, ‘Sean watched a second of it and said that’s Lexi.’” This unconventional, swift audition process during a period of global upheaval speaks volumes about Sean Baker’s instinct and Bree Elrod’s undeniable connection to the character, solidifying her place in the critically acclaimed film. This moment of discovery underscores the unique and often unpredictable path that artists navigate, especially in challenging times.
The Unforgettable Naked Run: A Scene That Shocked and Thrilled
One of the most jaw-dropping and talked-about moments in Red Rocket is undeniably the scene where Mikey Saber runs completely naked down a street in broad daylight. Bree Elrod vividly recalled her reaction to witnessing this bold cinematic choice for the very first time on the big screen, admitting she “lost her sh*t.” “I think Simon and I watched it together for the first time together,” Bree shared with HollywoodLife. “A24 got us a screening room before we went to Cannes because we both were like, ‘We’re not going to Cannes and watching this for the first fucking time. We need to see this thing.’ I was sitting next to Simon and I think when that moment happened, I literally stood up. I was like, oh my god. I was so overwhelmed. I thought it was so genius.” The scene’s audacity and raw impact left a lasting impression, even on the actors involved in its creation. Bree further elaborated on the challenges faced during its production, adding another layer to its brilliance: “I had heard how precarious it was to film that because it’s right by these refineries and even though Sean and everyone had tried to get permits from the local authorities or whatever, they were like, eh, whatever. All of a sudden, Simon Rex is just running naked down these gravel roads. I lost it. I thought it was brilliant.” This unforgettable sequence encapsulates Sean Baker’s commitment to authentic, unfiltered storytelling and Simon Rex’s fearless performance, cementing its place as one of the film’s most memorable and audacious moments, further solidifying Red Rocket‘s reputation as a groundbreaking independent film.
Through her insightful portrayal of Lexi, Bree Elrod not only anchors Red Rocket but also provides a poignant lens through which to examine complex human relationships, resilience, and the enduring search for connection amidst the chaos of life. Her performance, guided by Sean Baker’s distinctive vision, ensures that Lexi remains one of the most compelling and memorable characters in recent independent cinema, leaving audiences to ponder the true nature of love, loyalty, and survival.