HBO Max has released a trailer forUNpregnant, which I believe was the very first film made specifically for the nascent streaming service.
Haley Lu Richardson(The Edge of Seventeen) stars as Veronica, a 17-year-old college-bound senior who gets pregnant, forcing her to make a tough decision about her future – one she never imagined she’d have to make. Her choice leads her on a 900-mile road trip to New Mexico with her ex-BFF Bailey, played byEuphoriastarBarbie Ferreira, and together they discover the true meaning, and value, of friendship.
Rachel Lee Goldenbergdirected the adaptation ofTed CaplanandJenni Hendricks' book, and the two authors also had a hand in the screenplay along withJennifer Kaytin Robinson,William Parkerand Goldenberg. The film was produced byGreg Berlanti,Sarah SchechterandErik Feig.
I won’t lie, I was excited to seeGiancarlo Espositoin this trailer, as his veteran presence is always welcome on the big screen, and this kind of project represents a nice change of pace for him.Ramona Young,Sugar Lyn Beard,Breckin Meyer,Betty WhoandMary McCormackround out the rest of the supporting cast.
UNpregnantfeels to me like the anti-Never Rarely Sometimes Always, which also followed two girls on a journey to get one of them an abortion in another state. That film, directed byEliza Hittman, was very good and incredibly realistic, but it was also a bit of a downer. And believe me, I get it. Traveling out of state to get an abortion isn’t exactly a trip to Disney World. But clearly,UNpregnanttakes a different, lighter approach to the same dilemma, and even though it may not seem as natural and organic asNRSA, it certainly looks more “fun.” I also happen to be a big fan of both these leads, especially Ferreira, who really impressed me with her work onEuphoria.
HBO Max will unveilUNpregnanton Sept. 10, and let’s hope by then that the streamer is a bit more comfortable with the a-word, which is notably absent from the film’s trailer and its publicity materials. Watch the trailer below, and to explore the opposite end of this story spectrum,click hereto check out the trailer forNever Rarely Sometimes Always., which features an amazing performance from newcomerSidney Flanagan.
