Shell is a black comedy horror film that additionally serves as one thing of a The Handmaid’s Story reunion for its star, Elisabeth Moss. The film was helmed by Max Minghella, who performed Nick in that collection, as his second directorial effort. Though it premiered in 2024, Shell is now having fun with a large launch, making it Moss’ first post-Handmaid’s Story mission.
The story facilities round Samantha Lake (Moss), a once-loved actor who has discovered herself struggling to remain related. That’s, till she meets with Zoe Shannon (Kate Hudson), a wellness mogul whose choices seem too good to be true. Samantha goes on to find precisely what lies beneath the shiny exterior of Shannon’s firm, Shell.
ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan spoke with Elisabeth Moss concerning the actor’s work within the darkly funny Shell. Moss mentioned her collaborative course of with Max Minghella, how the distinctive tone of the film developed, and the way Moss felt about its bigger themes. Shell involves digital platforms and choose theaters October 3.
Elisabeth Moss & Max Minghella Have A Relationship June & Nick Might By no means
The connection between June and Nick in The Handmaid’s Story was fraught, to say the least. Fortunately, the connection between the celebs behind these characters is something however. Elisabeth Moss detailed her collaborative course of with Max Minghella, who stepped behind the digital camera to carry Shell to life.
ScreenRant: Shell marks a reunion for you and Max Minghella, and also you directed him in The Handmaid’s Story. How is the dynamic totally different this time round, and what was it like reuniting?
Elisabeth Moss: We simply by no means stopped working collectively. We joined forces on this movie whereas we have been taking pictures Handmaid’s; he despatched it to me and I fell in love with it and was like, “Sure,” straight away–“Let’s do that collectively.”
Then in fact, there’s all the time somewhat little bit of a course of to drag a film collectively, particularly a smaller movie. In order that took its time that it takes, after which it felt like we actually walked from one set the place I used to be directing onto a set the place he was directing. It was very seamless.
We’re shut mates, so we talked very often, and it simply felt like we acquired to hang around. That was type of the saddest factor after we stopped taking pictures: we have been like, “Oh, [we’re] not going to hang around each day anymore.” So, it was simply very seamless, actually.
ScreenRant: The film is darkish, it is actual sociopathic, and at occasions there is a little bit of camp, which I really like. What did you see in his imaginative and prescient that excited you probably the most?
Elisabeth Moss: I believe the truth that he wished to have enjoyable with it [and] hold it entertaining. He is an enormous cinephile. He is seen the whole lot, and he isn’t a snob. He is seen your AFI, like, “100 Finest Films” checklist, however he is additionally large fan of ‘90s movies and campy movies, and that is his wheelhouse.
So, [it was] the truth that he is such a fan of this type of film and this type of story and simply making a film that’s purely enjoyable, entertaining, and visually fascinating. I knew that he may do this, and that was thrilling to me–that he was making one thing that I felt was in his wheelhouse.
Why Shell’s Themes Resonated Deeply WIth Elisabeth Moss
Moss didn’t solely select to star in Shell due to her relationship with Minghella. The actor additionally discovered a lot to narrate to on the subject of her experiences in Hollywood over the course of her profession.
ScreenRant: What I actually discovered fascinating too this concept of youth and wonder, [and how,] for Samantha, it is actually not one thing that is on her thoughts till it is projected onto her. And I am curious simply what message you wished to hold by way of this movie, and the way you have needed to navigate these issues.
Elisabeth Moss: I imply, I have been working on this enterprise for 37 years. I’ve seen loads, and I’ve lived on this time once you would by no means actually see an actress above a sure age on a TV present, getting nominated for one thing, or successful an Oscar; it simply did not occur.
Fortunately within the final nevertheless a few years, that is actually modified, particularly as I am getting older. I’ve lived my entire profession as a girl on this trade with this concept that, “Effectively, it should dry up sooner or later [when I’m] above 40.” It was once most likely 35. And I nonetheless assume that occurs. Sadly, that does occur.
So, for me, [there] was positively one thing [where] I used to be like, “That is tremendous near dwelling.” The entire audition course of, not feeling such as you’re the prettiest woman within the room [and that] everybody’s taller and skinnier than you might be. That is one thing that I’m deeply conversant in, and I believe a number of us are–women and men.
It is one thing that we’re continually dealing: this concept [that] we’re not younger sufficient, we’re not fairly sufficient, we’re not skinny sufficient. I believe it is simply so relatable, so I beloved it. I beloved with the ability to dive into these insecurities and be type of susceptible about that.
Imagine me, once you’re standing subsequent to Kaia Gerber, you simply really feel a sure method and there is nothing you are able to do about it. You are standing subsequent to Kaia Gerber and you are like, “Okay, I positively am not that.” And I preferred truly with the ability to lean into that and type of have enjoyable with it.
And I used to be a dancer for a few years, in ballet, in order that’s a complete different ball of wax of comparability, and it is one thing that I really like doing. I am the kind of particular person that does not like to sit down in hair and make-up. I hate getting my make-up executed.
I’m a girly woman–-I like placing my very own make-up on–however once I’m working, I favor to discover wanting a distinct method and looking out somewhat bit extra both regular or tremendous f***ed up, fairly frankly. So for me, that was actually enjoyable–to face that head on.
Shell hits choose theaters and digital platforms on October 3.
- Launch Date
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October 3, 2025
- Runtime
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100 minutes
- Director
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Max Minghella
- Writers
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Jack Stanley
- Producers
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Alicia Van Couvering, Elisabeth Moss, Jamie Bell, Jared Underwood, Norman Golightly, Rene Bastian, Fred Berger, Hal Sadoff, Victor Moyers, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Teddy Schwarzman, John Friedberg, Andrew C. Robinson, Lindsey McManus, Danny Mandel
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Mary Lynn Rajskub
Zoe Shannon
