In a remarkable convergence of independent filmmaking and mainstream pop culture, director Pete Ohs’ latest microbudget feature, Erupcja, is poised to capture significant attention, largely due to its star, global music sensation Charli XCX. Filmed with Ohs’ characteristic improvisational approach during the electrifying "brat summer" of 2024, the film casts Charli XCX in a departure from her pop star persona, portraying Bethany, a young woman grappling with personal choices while on holiday in Warsaw. The narrative, centered on a reunion with an old flame amidst a looming engagement, delves into themes of female friendship, existential questioning, and the subtle eruptions of inner turmoil, mirroring the film’s evocative title, which translates to "Eruption."
The Genesis of Erupcja: A Chance Encounter Ignites an Unscripted Vision
The unconventional journey of Erupcja began in May 2024, a pivotal period for Charli XCX as she prepared for the release of her highly anticipated album, Brat. It was in a New York bar that Ohs was introduced to the pop icon by their mutual friend, acclaimed playwright Jeremy O. Harris, who also features in the film. Ohs, known for his prolific output of five films in as many years, presented his unique, script-averse methodology to Charli XCX. Despite her demanding schedule and the absence of a traditional screenplay, Charli XCX was intrigued by the prospect of an improvisational shoot and the thematic core, vaguely outlined as female friendship and volcanoes. This initial agreement set the stage for a production that would be as spontaneous and adaptable as the director’s vision.
The decision to film Erupcja in Warsaw, Poland, three months after this initial meeting, placed the production squarely in August 2024, a time when Charli XCX’s Brat album had already exploded onto the global music scene. Released in June 2024, Brat quickly became a cultural touchstone, generating widespread acclaim for its raw, unfiltered energy and securing top chart positions in several countries, including the UK where it debuted at number one, and a strong showing in the US, cementing the "brat summer" phenomenon. This meteoric rise in her musical career meant Charli XCX was at the peak of her commercial and critical visibility, making her involvement in a microbudget indie film a particularly fascinating artistic detour.
An Unconventional Production Model: Embracing Spontaneity and Collaboration
Pete Ohs’ filmmaking philosophy stands in stark contrast to conventional Hollywood productions. His method, which he describes as "removing pressure," eschews a complete, pre-written script in favor of a collaborative, day-by-day approach. For Erupcja, only the first half of the story was loosely outlined before principal photography commenced. The second half was then constructed reactively, based on the material gathered and the evolving dynamics between the actors. This highly adaptive process meant that the screenplay for Erupcja is credited not just to Ohs, but also to its four main actors: Charli XCX, Lena Góra, Will Madden, and Jeremy O. Harris, highlighting the profound level of creative input from the cast.
Ohs typically writes scenes on his iPhone’s Notes app, sharing them with the cast via a group chat, often just hours before filming. This "smallness" of the writing tool, he explains, allows him to "zone in on the scene I’m trying to write" and fosters an intuitive creative flow. The actors are encouraged to suggest changes, making the script a living, breathing document. This fluid methodology even extends to incidental details; a scene depicting Bethany and Rob eating pizza leftovers was directly inspired by what Charli XCX and Madden were genuinely consuming prior to the cameras rolling. This organic integration of real-life moments into the narrative imbues the film with an authentic, unforced charm, distinguishing it from more rigidly planned productions.
Ohs’ prior experience with the traditional filmmaking model, specifically his 2017 film Everything Beautiful Is Far Away, which had a budget of $200,000, led him to question the conventional path. That film, despite its quality, failed to garner significant attention, causing Ohs to reflect on the seven years he invested in it. This introspection solidified his commitment to the microbudget, improvisational method, which he believes generates a more authentic and impactful result. The prospect of Erupcja reaching a wider audience due to Charli XCX’s involvement represents a significant validation of this approach, potentially drawing more viewers than his previous five films combined.
Navigating Star Power and Shifting Schedules: A Creative Pivot
The production of Erupcja faced an unexpected challenge when Charli XCX, a global pop star, had to depart early from the Warsaw set for a Converse commercial shoot in London. This unforeseen change, occurring just four days into filming, necessitated a radical re-evaluation and rework of the film’s chronological narrative. For a director whose process relies heavily on shooting scenes sequentially, this could have been a debilitating setback. However, Ohs, ever the pragmatist and improviser, embraced it as an opportunity. "It felt bad to be losing our actress early to a Converse ad," Ohs recounted in a Zoom interview from New York, "But it was also an opportunity to do something different with the narrative."
This forced creative pivot highlights the inherent flexibility and resilience of Ohs’ filmmaking style. Instead of disrupting the production, Charli XCX’s early departure prompted an immediate, on-the-spot revision of the storyline, transforming a potential crisis into a catalyst for narrative innovation. While the logistical implications of a lead actor’s early exit can be substantial for any production – including potential reshoots, scheduling conflicts for other cast and crew, and financial adjustments – Ohs’ microbudget, adaptable framework minimized these risks. The collaborative spirit fostered by Ohs meant that the cast, accustomed to co-creating the story, were well-equipped to adapt to this abrupt change, further cementing the film’s organic development.
The "Brat Summer" Influence: Thematic Resonance and Cultural Commentary
The timing of Erupcja‘s production, coinciding with the peak of Charli XCX’s "brat summer" phenomenon, inevitably led to thematic cross-pollination. Ohs himself acknowledges this serendipitous alignment. "The brat phenomenon was also a volcanic eruption," he remarked, drawing a parallel between the cultural moment and the film’s core metaphor. He pondered whether Erupcja subconsciously became part of the broader "brat" conversation, exploring questions like: "Is being brat cool? Does being brat hurt other people? Should brats apologise sometimes? Maybe!" This self-aware reflection suggests that the film, while not explicitly designed as a commentary on "brat summer," organically absorbed its zeitgeist.
Charli XCX’s Brat album, with its themes of unapologetic self-expression, complex friendships, and a certain defiant vulnerability, resonated deeply with a generation. The album’s success was not just commercial; it sparked widespread discussion on identity, ambition, and the messy realities of modern relationships. Erupcja mirrors this by casting Charli XCX as Bethany, a character grounded in reality, offering a nuanced counterpoint to her high-octane pop persona. The film, much like The Moment – a mockumentary about Charli XCX escaping to a European city amidst her "brat summer" – presents the singer in a more introspective light, allowing audiences to see a different facet of her artistic range. This thematic intertwining is not a calculated marketing ploy but rather, as Ohs puts it, "just artists being present, responding to the moment… and making something relevant to what’s going on." This organic connection to the cultural moment adds a layer of contemporary relevance to Erupcja, potentially amplifying its appeal to Charli XCX’s diverse fanbase.
A Story of Friendship and Existential Inquiry: Plot and Character Dynamics
In Erupcja, Charli XCX portrays Bethany, who arrives in Warsaw with her soon-to-be fiancé, Rob (Will Madden), for what Rob hopes will be a romantic proposal trip. However, Bethany finds herself drawn to her old friend, Nel (Lena Góra), a local woman navigating her own relationship struggles. The film subtly explores the shifting dynamics of these relationships, particularly the undeniable chemistry between Bethany and Nel. Their bond is not only emotional but also mystical, linked by a shared superstition: whenever they reunite, a nearby volcano tends to erupt. This recurring motif serves as a powerful metaphor for the emotional volatility and transformative potential within their friendship.
The casting of Will Madden as Rob, noted as a doppelganger for Charli XCX’s real-life husband George Daniel, adds an intriguing meta-layer to the narrative, subtly blurring the lines between fiction and reality, a common characteristic of Ohs’ intuitive approach. While Rob’s desire for commitment contrasts with Bethany’s preference for partying with Nel, the film ultimately highlights the profound connection between the two women. The portrayal of Bethany and Nel as the story’s "most magnetic duo" underscores the film’s focus on fraught female relationships. A significant highlight is the return of Agata Trzebuchowska, known for her acclaimed role in the Oscar-winning film Ida, marking her first major acting role since then as Ula, Nel’s girlfriend. Her presence adds another layer of depth and talent to the ensemble.
Crucially, Ohs understands the inherent draw of his lead star. The film capitalizes on Charli XCX’s ability to command the screen, even in a more subdued role. A particularly impactful scene featuring a tearful monologue from Bethany serves as a powerful testament to the singer’s surprising dramatic capabilities, confirming her aptitude for acting beyond her musical performances. This raw, emotional display allows Charli XCX to shed her pop persona and deliver a performance that is both vulnerable and compelling, likely resonating deeply with viewers who have followed her artistic journey.
Artistic Lineage: Mumblecore Meets French New Wave
Despite the seemingly unscripted and raw nature of Erupcja, Ohs draws his artistic influences not from the American mumblecore movement, which also champions low-budget, improvised, and character-driven narratives, but from European arthouse cinema. He explicitly namechecks legendary directors like Pier Paolo Pasolini, Michelangelo Antonioni, and the Italian neorealists. While acknowledging the "spirit of the mumblecore movement, which is friends making things together," Ohs clarifies, "But my films are more aesthetically drawn to the French New Wave."
This distinction is crucial. While mumblecore often prioritizes naturalistic dialogue and handheld aesthetics to create a sense of verisimilitude, the French New Wave, particularly figures like Jean-Luc Godard, blended improvisation with a highly self-reflexive, experimental approach to form. Erupcja embodies this New Wave influence through its inclusion of a dryly witty, third-person narrator, a stylistic choice reminiscent of early Godard films that often broke the fourth wall or used non-diegetic narration to comment on the action. This aesthetic choice elevates Erupcja beyond mere realism, imbuing it with a conscious artistry and intellectual playfulness that aligns with Ohs’ European influences.
Ohs’ method of starting with a geographical location rather than a person or plot further solidifies his connection to cinematic forebears like Wim Wenders. Wenders, known for films such as Paris, Texas and Alice in the Cities, often embarked on productions with a location in mind, allowing the narrative and characters to emerge from the environment and the journey itself. Ohs echoes this sentiment, stating, "The way you make a movie will directly inform how that movie feels." He contrasts this with the process behind "Marvel movies," arguing that his improvisational, location-driven method creates a distinct, "specific, special feeling" that mirrors the unpredictable nature of life itself. "To make a movie where you’re jumping off a cliff into the unknown, and you don’t know where the story is going to go – that’s similar to how life is lived," he muses.
The Future of Improvised Cinema: Broader Impact and Implications
The release of Erupcja represents a significant moment for Pete Ohs and potentially for independent cinema. The film’s unique production, coupled with the star power of Charli XCX, positions it as a case study for how microbudget, improvisational filmmaking can intersect with mainstream appeal. The exposure gained from Charli XCX’s involvement could open doors for Ohs, allowing his distinct artistic vision to reach a much wider audience than his previous, critically appreciated but commercially niche works. This increased visibility could, in turn, inspire other independent filmmakers to explore similar unconventional production models, challenging the traditional, often rigid, structures of film financing and development.
Ohs himself is already looking to the future, planning to shoot two more movies in the coming year, both in "two different places, ready to go," using the same improvised techniques but on a potentially larger scale. This ambition to test the limits of his method, to see if it "hold[s] or crumble[s]" within a bigger framework, speaks to his unwavering commitment to his artistic process. The implications of Erupcja‘s success or failure will undoubtedly influence the trajectory of his career and provide valuable insights into the viability of scaled-up improvisational cinema. If Erupcja proves both critically and commercially successful, it could signal a shift in how talent, especially high-profile artists like Charli XCX, might engage with independent projects, prioritizing artistic freedom and unique creative experiences over traditional big-budget endeavors.
Ultimately, Erupcja stands as a testament to the power of artistic collaboration, adaptability, and the courage to embrace the unknown. It offers a glimpse into a filmmaking process that is deeply personal, spontaneous, and intimately connected to the present moment, much like the "volcanic eruptions" of emotion and experience that its characters navigate. The film is set to challenge perceptions of what a "pop star movie" can be, offering a thoughtful, character-driven drama infused with the raw energy of its unique creation.
Erupcja is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on June 5, 2026.
