Get Ready to Meet the Savagely Toxic Duo — Kristen Stewart and O'Brian — in LOVE LIES BLEEDING, A Savagely Toxic Love (A24), 14 March

Criminal couples in film have come in many forms, but none are quite like Lou and Jackie in LOVE LIES BLEEDING — a savagely toxic love, the romantic thriller that scored as high as 90% (www.rottentomatoes.com/m/love_lies_bleeding_2024) on Rotten Tomatoes, the latest work from A24 directed by Rose Glass (Rose Glass)

Neramitnung Film and Shinesaeng Ad.Venture release the full trailer, revealing the stark contrast between Lou and Jackie: Lou with her ragged T-shirt, her secrets and the solitude she keeps locked away; Jackie with her reflective bikini and sculpted arms, a killer instinct that's sweetly innocent yet terrifying. Together, they may be a fierce pair ready to fight their way through anything, side by side.

“Lou (Kristen Stewart) has a tough exterior, shaped by the criminal upbringing she got from her father — which I think she secretly takes pride in. “I think Lou genuinely wants to be a good person. She's always trying to clean up everyone else's messes, but she knows exactly what she's capable of, and when the pressure closes in, she protects what she loves.

Jackie, on the other hand, (Katy O’Brian) is open, has space, is reactive and full of life. Of course Lou is struck by her looks, but even more by her energy — it radiates outward so strongly. They fit together: Lou tries to be someone no one notices, while Jackie is a shimmering unicorn that nothing can stop,” said Stewart.

Love Lies Bleeding marks the first dramatic role for Katy M. O’Brian

“When I read the script, I was genuinely terrified. I knew it would be the hardest thing I'd ever done in my acting career — both frightening and enormously challenging. But I truly fell in love with Jackie and felt I had to play her. Jackie is someone who loves adventure and has boundless energy. Her life hasn't been a bed of roses, but she's driven by a pursuit of excellence, a need to feel worthy, to be loved, and to be seen — just like so many people.

Her main motivation is to win this major bodybuilding competition — but meeting Lou changes her mind. Jackie is like fire, and Lou is like water. Lou does the same thing over and over every day, while Jackie is the whirlwind that brings the chaos.”

In addition, O'Brian devoted herself to an intense training schedule and strict diet to build and train the body suited to, and worthy of, the role of Jackie.

“I worked with trainer Steve Sim, who really pushed me hard and got me into shape faster than I ever imagined. We trained for three hours a day, plus a strict diet — I felt like I really was Jackie, training for this competition, and I pulled it off. I wanted people to see Jackie as a whole person, and to show the full personality of someone ambitious about something that isn't mainstream in society. I wanted people to see that there's nothing strange or shameful about a muscular woman — that might even be true beauty,” said O'Brian.

LOVE LIES BLEEDING — a savagely toxic love hits theatres 14 March. Watch the trailer at www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg2U1NXUPCw