With their highly anticipated psychological thriller, “The Stepdaughter,” making its debut on Tubi, producers Marques Houston and Juanita Stokes and members of the cast (Akeem Cheatham, Blue Kimble, Cassidey Fralin, Anni Ilonzeh, Jared Cheatham), took time to respond to questions about the new film and its twist on family dynamics.
Can you describe the character’s journey and emotional arc in “The Stepdaughter,” particularly in relation to Joanna’s quest to find her biological father?
Everyone was living a normal everyday life and didn’t really anticipate Joanna’s unexpected presence. When she arrived, we accepted her as a step-sister, stepdaughter, and another family member whom we wanted to love. It was an easy process.
What drew you to the role and storyline of “Stepdaughter,” especially considering the complex family dynamics and psychological themes explored in the film?
Often times, a partner is expected to accept every part of their new partner, including their children. And with loving your new partner, you tend to accept all aspects of them, including their children, regardless of their flaws.
How did you approach portraying the dynamics between your character and Joanna, considering her desire for sole recognition as her father’s child?
It was easy and approached from a motherly point of view. I feel any mother would accept her new man’s child as her own.
In “Stepdaughter,” Joanna experiences a range of emotions stemming from her grandmother’s passing and her search for familial connection. How did you prepare for and convey these emotions on screen?
We wanted her to seem as heartbroken as the audience would be and her new family, so there wasn’t any suspicion of any foul play.
The narrative of “Stepdaughter” delves into themes of obsession and familial relationships. How did you navigate these themes while developing your character?
We felt when a stepchild yearns for her biological parents’ acceptance and approval, they will cross any and every threshold to get it.
Can you discuss any challenges you faced while portraying your character’s interactions with Joanna and the rest of the family?
It was difficult because you can have your suspicions but don’t want to come off as not accepting of your partner’s kid.
“Stepdaughter” explores the complexities of blended families and the impact of Joanna’s arrival on her father’s household. How did you work with the cast and director to capture the nuances of these relationships?
We wanted to make it as relatable as possible and give a sense of compassion that any step there would have with meeting her potential stepdaughter.
Joanna’s longing for paternal attention drives much of the tension in the film. How did you interpret and embody this aspect of the storyline in your performance?
We wanted to give the movie a realistic point of view of what any teenager would have towards her potential new stepmother. And wanting to feel accepted on all fronts is really important for her.
The character of Joanna undergoes significant internal conflict throughout the film. How did you approach portraying her inner turmoil and struggles with acceptance within the family?
Without spoiling the film, we feel her agony about what she felt she was doing was the right thing, and then finding out what she finds out later creates this conflict within her. So, she does her best to balance those findings.
“Stepdaughter” incorporates elements of psychological suspense and thriller genres. How did you contribute to building the suspense and intensity of certain scenes in the film?
Once you watch the film in its entirety, you can understand that a lot of the scenes depict realistic moments that any rational human would most likely do. So, with that, the psychological approach was easy given the circumstances of the unfolding of the film.
What insights did you gain about familial bonds and the nature of obsession through your involvement in “Stepdaughter”?
The biggest takeaway is that anyone is capable of doing anything given the circumstances and information they are given.
As the narrative unfolds, Joanna’s actions become increasingly manipulative and unsettling. How did you navigate portraying the darker aspects of your character while maintaining authenticity and depth?
At this point, Joanna had two things in mind: survival and revenge.
Bobby Jenkins
