The King of Staten Island shares the story of Scott Carlin (Pete Davidson), whose life has veered off course since he lost his father at an early age. But while the semi-autobiographical film focuses largely on the shadow one man casts on Scott’s life, there are several women in it who are very important.
Maude Apatow, who plays Scott’s sister, and Bel Powley, who plays his best friend, chatted with Screen Rant in advance of the June 12 VOD release date. The actresses shared how their characters viewed the protagonist, and how they as performers felt about Judd Apatow’s unique directing style.
Maude, quick question for you. Your character doesn't really her father much, and it's presumed that she's so well-rounded because she never felt the loss of his death. Do you think Scott resents her a little bit for all that?
Maude Apatow: I think that's his opinion of how she feels. I think that's the thing that, at least in my interpretation, she would find irritating that he would say. And insensitive, because even though it happened when she was a lot younger, I think it was extremely hard in different ways.
Bel, what is it about Scott that, despite all of his flaws and neuroses, Kelsey likes so much?
Bel Powley: I honestly think that they've been friends since they were kids, like, five or something - best friends. They know each other inside and out. And she can see that he's hurting and that he needs to change, but she knows that she can't be the one to save him.
I think she loves him, and I think that secretly she's hoping that he goes away and deals with this shit, and that he comes back. And he's very sweet when he does.
Maude, despite her being the younger sister, Claire definitely has an older sister relationship with Scott. After the movie ends, how do you imagine their relationship changes now that Scott's started to heal?
Maude Apatow: Hmm, oh my gosh. I've never really thought about that. I'm sure she'd be really happy. And I think it's probably going to be a slow process, but just the fact that he is making the effort, I'm sure she would really appreciate.
Bel, we briefly see an interaction between Scott and Kelsey's brother, who seems to care to care less that Scott's around. The families have known each other for a long time, but how does Kelsey's family feel about Scott in general?
Bel Powley: I don't know, actually. But you mean just in my head? I'm not gonna lie, they probably like him because he's like family, but also they don't like that he's a bit... They think, probably, he's not that good for her. He's a bit of a bum, he doesn't really do much, he's always trying to attack people. Probably, they're like, get rid of him. But she sees the good in him, and she knows that he's going to get better.
For both of you, was there anything on the page that you discovered about yourself while studying your characters?
Bel Powley: Discovered about myself? Hmm..
Or anything on the page that you wanted to infuse a little bit differently in your performance?
Bel Powley: I don't know, the whole process of creating these characters was so collaborative with Judd and Pete. It wasn't like we just got given a character. Honestly, we kind of were encouraged to make up parts of our characters ourselves. And that was, I don't know, it was amazing working with Judd. I've never worked with a director who's as collaborative as him. So, that was cool.
Maude, for you, how was the experience of honing in on your craft and your character?
Maude Apatow: It was good. I mean, I haven't worked with my dad since I was 12. So, it's been almost 10 years. Back then, it was very different. And I think I wasn't taking acting as seriously as I am now. It's cool to work with other people and do other things, and then come back to work with my dad. He does work in a different way, and that was cool to see as an adult and have other things to compare it to and see why people like working that way. And me, I loved working that way. So, it was very cool.
