Victoria Pedretti, a name synonymous with intense, captivating performances, continues to carve out a distinctive niche in Hollywood, driven by a steadfast commitment to projects that resonate and provoke thought. The 31-year-old actress, known for her magnetic presence on screen, articulated her discerning approach to her craft, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "This bitch doesn’t want to do anything she has to do." This candid remark underscores a philosophy that prioritizes meaningful impact over mere obligation, a principle evident in her latest role in the comedy horror film Forbidden Fruits.
A Rising Star in Genre Cinema
Over the past decade, Pedretti has solidified her status as a modern "scream queen," albeit one who consistently transcends genre conventions with profound character work. Her breakthrough came with Mike Flanagan’s critically acclaimed Netflix horror anthology series, The Haunting of Hill House (2018), where her portrayal of Eleanor "Nell" Crain Vance, haunted by childhood trauma, earned widespread praise for its raw emotional depth and psychological nuance. The series, lauded for its intricate storytelling and genuine scares, achieved an impressive 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics highlighting its character-driven narrative. Pedretti’s performance was frequently singled out as a standout, marking her as an actress capable of conveying intense vulnerability and terror simultaneously.
She reunited with Flanagan for The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020), taking on the role of Dani Clayton, a governess grappling with her own spectral past and the specters of Bly. This performance further cemented her ability to anchor complex narratives within the horror landscape. Concurrently, Pedretti gained global recognition for her chillingly charismatic turn as Love Quinn in Netflix’s hit psychological thriller You. Joining the series in its second season (2019) opposite Penn Badgley’s Joe Goldberg, Pedretti redefined the "femme fatale," portraying a character whose seemingly idyllic facade concealed a dark, violent interior. Her performance in You Season 3 (2021) saw Love evolve into an even more complex, often terrifying, antagonist, challenging audience perceptions of villainy and complicity. The series consistently garnered high viewership, with Season 2 reportedly watched by 54 million households in its first month, significantly boosting Pedretti’s international profile and confirming her versatility beyond traditional horror. More recently, she appeared in the Netflix scream Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, reaffirming her strong presence in the genre.
The Genesis of Forbidden Fruits
Pedretti’s latest venture, Forbidden Fruits, directed by Meredith Alloway, sees her delving into the comedy horror realm. The film centers on Apple (Lili Reinhart), who leads a clandestine witch cult with her co-workers Cherry (Pedretti) and Fig (Alexandra Shipp) at a mall store. Their sisterhood is challenged by the arrival of new hire Pumpkin (Lola Tung), forcing them to confront their inner darkness or face dire consequences.
Pedretti revealed her long-standing connection to the project, stating, "I got involved with it a long time ago, maybe three or four years before we actually shot the film." This extended development period allowed for a meticulous crafting of the script and characters, a process Pedretti appreciated. "It was cool to have that much time to be able to think about the project, but also for it to mature," she explained. Her initial reaction to the script was one of immediate resonance: "It’s rare that you read a script that is fun in this way, while also simultaneously dealing with a lot of very unfun topics and things that I think are very humanizing and universal and specific."
She views Forbidden Fruits as more than just a genre film, describing it as a "Trojan horse for a lot of larger conversations about consumerism, about grief, about friendship and abusive community dynamics." This perspective aligns with her stated preference for projects that stimulate dialogue and offer deeper thematic layers beneath their genre exterior. The film’s setting—a mall—itself becomes a potent symbol, allowing for a multifaceted critique of contemporary society.
Crafting Cherry: A Study in Subversion
In Forbidden Fruits, Pedretti’s portrayal of Cherry is a masterclass in subverting expectations. Initially presenting as "ditsy and insecure," Cherry’s character arc reveals profound complexities. Pedretti thoughtfully approached Cherry’s development, drawing parallels to broader societal perceptions of women. "It had me thinking a lot about those kinds of women that we know," she elaborated. "There are so many women that are underestimated, so many women that present themselves in ways that people can find distracting or make assumptions about because of it."
Pedretti specifically referenced Marilyn Monroe as an inspiration, reflecting on how Monroe’s sexualization often led to her dehumanization and the dismissal of her intelligence. "So much of the tragedy of Marilyn Monroe is that she was made out to be stupid because she was beautiful. She wasn’t allowed to hold the fullness of all of that," Pedretti observed. This historical context informs her portrayal of Cherry, highlighting the societal tendency to reduce women to superficial characteristics. For Pedretti, Cherry embodies the idea that the "self is a really complex thing that we don’t even get to know fully, so why not play with the way we present ourselves to the world and talk to the world?" Her performance invites audiences to look beyond Cherry’s initial veneer and recognize the intricate layers of intelligence, insecurity, and strategic self-presentation beneath.
Intimacy and Performance: Unpacking Cherry’s Relationships
A notable aspect of Cherry’s character, as discussed by Pedretti, is her approach to intimate scenes, which were carefully choreographed with an intimacy coordinator. Pedretti highlighted the deliberate lack of emotional intimacy in Cherry’s sexual encounters. "I found the sex scenes to be incredibly lacking in intimacy, like actual emotional intimacy," she stated. This artistic choice was crucial for conveying Cherry’s character.
Pedretti described Cherry’s sexual engagement as "hugely performative" and "sport-like," devoid of genuine connection. "It’s not about connection at all," she explained. This portrayal serves to expose a facet of Cherry’s coping mechanisms: "It’s how she’s trying to get her needs met while simultaneously giving all of her actual intimacy, loyalty and love to Apple, and almost like objectifying these men in a lot of ways, which is quite sad because they’re bringing her gifts." This nuanced depiction challenges conventional portrayals of cinematic sex, transforming it into a vehicle for character development rather than mere titillation.
Furthermore, Pedretti praised the film’s handling of nudity, which deliberately separated it from sexual acts. "I’m really proud of how there is nudity in this film, but the nudity doesn’t come with the sex," she emphasized. Instead, nudity is presented in moments of comfort and camaraderie between the female characters, specifically "just two girls speaking together who are comfortable around each other, enough to be naked while having a conversation that is about a lot of things other than sex." This thoughtful approach underscores the film’s commitment to exploring female relationships and bodily autonomy in a non-exploitative manner, reflecting a growing trend in Hollywood to utilize intimacy coordinators not just for safety, but for artistic integrity and deeper storytelling.
The Mall as a Microcosm: Consumerism and Community
The mall setting in Forbidden Fruits is far from incidental; it acts as a silent, yet powerful, character in itself. Pedretti reminisced about her own childhood experiences, "Oh, I lived at the mall as a kid. It was this place where I could be free and run around with my friends and not even buy anything a lot of the time." This nostalgic view contrasts sharply with the contemporary reality of declining mall culture, a phenomenon driven by the rise of e-commerce and changing consumer habits.
However, in the context of the film, the mall takes on a more symbolic and critical role. Pedretti notes, "It’s also this huge symbol of institution and capitalism, and in the film, it’s really being used to represent that. The world we live in is kind of a huge fucking mall." This powerful metaphor extends the film’s critique beyond a specific retail space to a broader commentary on consumer culture and its pervasive influence on society. While Pedretti humorously doubted the film’s ability to "revitalize mall culture," she mused about its potential to "give us a reinvention of the mall," suggesting a shift in perception rather than a literal resurgence. The mall, therefore, serves as a fitting backdrop for a story about hidden desires, community dynamics, and the often-insidious pressures of modern life.
The Shocking Climax: Cherry’s Demise and Genre Expectations
One of the film’s most talked-about moments is Cherry’s gruesome death. Pedretti recalled her visceral reaction upon first reading the scene: "I think I squealed when I read it, probably. And then I was like, ‘How would one do that?’" She appreciated the creative audacity of the scene and the decision to portray its brutality explicitly. "There was a conversation where they were talking about not showing as much of it. So I always kind of imagined it cutting away, but it’s so important you see the gruesomeness of it," she explained.
Filming the sequence was an enjoyable experience for the actress, who relishes stunt work. "It was awesome to do. I love doing stunts. It’s fun to play your own hand being devoured by an escalator," she quipped. While she initially found the concept "kind of absurd," she later learned of real-life escalator accidents, adding a macabre layer of realism to the fantastical horror. Her enjoyment of such physically demanding and dramatically impactful scenes further underscores her commitment to fully embodying her characters, even in their most shocking moments. The scene itself serves as a crucial turning point, highlighting the film’s willingness to embrace dark humor and visceral horror to drive its narrative and thematic points home.
Beyond the Scream Queen: Pedretti’s Artistic Vision and Future
As Forbidden Fruits reaches audiences, Pedretti expressed her anticipation for the conversations it will spark. "I’m really interested in the conversations that it can cultivate. There’s a lot there," she reiterated, emphasizing the film’s layered critique of consumerism, grief, friendship, and abusive community dynamics. She praised the film’s ability to present these weighty themes without being didactic: "It’s a fun film, but it’s a Trojan horse… I don’t think it beats you over the head. It doesn’t feel like a moral story, so I love that."
Looking ahead, Pedretti expressed a desire to explore genres beyond the psychological, horror, and thriller landscapes that have defined much of her career. Currently in New Zealand, she mused, "I want to be in a fantasy film. I want to play a hobbit or an elf." She also articulated a long-standing affection for historical fiction, stating, "I’ve always loved historical fiction. I love a period piece. It’s always just exciting to do what you haven’t done before." This hunger for new challenges reflects an artist eager to expand her repertoire and continue growing.
Pedretti also reflected on the challenges she has overcome in her successful career, particularly the struggle against feeling obligated. "It’s always reminding yourself that nothing is obligatory and there’s no one way of doing things and just continuing to try to find my own path," she shared. This involves prioritizing her personal life and nurturing creative projects independent of career pressures. "Once your passion becomes your job, it’s very easy for the passion to kind of dissipate because you’re obligated," she observed, echoing her opening sentiment. Her motivation remains rooted in impact, not fame: "I didn’t pursue this [career] because I thought I was going to be in movies that screened in movie theaters… I started doing this because I wanted to make an impact on people, even if that was on a small scale." Maintaining this core intention, she noted, is "really essential and not easy. It’s a balancing act."
The Essence of Victoria Pedretti: Authenticity and Evolution
When asked to define what makes her Victoria Pedretti, the actress offered a thoughtful, evolving perspective. Her roots are a significant part of her identity: "Being so far from home, you really realize the power of where you come from, and I’ve been reflecting on that a lot. I’m my parents’ child, for sure. That’s a huge part of who I am and where I come from. I’m from Philadelphia and the surrounding area." This geographical and familial grounding provides a stable foundation for an identity that is also fluid.
Beyond her origins, Pedretti acknowledges an innate essence, "whatever the hell I showed up with, some essence that I could not begin to describe in this moment," coupled with a recognition that "whoever I am is always changing also, and making room for that is really important." Yet, a consistent thread running through her self-assessment and her career philosophy is her inherent resistance to compulsion. "But I would say that I really don’t like to do what I am obligated to do. That’s for sure a big quality that has already shown up in this conversation, so I’ll acknowledge that," she concluded with a laugh. This blend of strong roots, an adaptable spirit, and an unwavering commitment to authentic, self-driven work defines Victoria Pedretti, an actress who consistently chooses roles that challenge, provoke, and ultimately, make an impact.
