Bo Youngblood and Maria Russell joined Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to discuss their latest film, In Flight, a suspenseful thriller that takes viewers on a turbulent journey filled with mystery and twists. In this high-stakes setting, Russell plays Tracy, a character who, as she explains, “is a jetsetter balancing work and family,” while trying to help her friend Claire survive a psychological whirlwind thousands of feet above the ground.
A Nostalgic Nod to Suspense Films of the ‘90s
Youngblood, who directed and crafted the storyline, shared that the inspiration for In Flight came from classic suspense films of the ‘90s and early 2000s. “I think people are nostalgic for those kinds of films,” she explained. “I wanted this film to be a cat-and-mouse game that would leave viewers saying, ‘I didn’t see that coming.’” The director aimed to capture the essence of those older thrillers, mixing suspense with memorable character moments.
Crafting Tracy’s Role: Maria Russell on Bringing Realness to the Role
Russell found a lot to relate to in her character, Tracy, describing her as someone who “wants to take care of people” despite her own complicated life. She also praised Youngblood for allowing her to play around with Tracy’s character during filming, something that is not always possible in bigger productions. “That’s the beauty of working on an indie project,” Russell said. “You have the freedom as an actor to explore, and with a director like Bo, I felt comfortable diving into Tracy’s layers and making her come alive.”
Building Suspense in Tight Quarters
The entire film takes place in the confined space of an airplane cabin, which was both a challenge and an opportunity for Youngblood. “We shot in order, which helped the actors build the emotional momentum naturally,” she shared. This structure allowed the cast to stay true to their characters’ experiences in real-time, rather than switching between heightened and subdued emotions based on shooting schedules.
Youngblood also used her connections in the industry to cast the ensemble, describing it as a project built on friendships. “Most of the cast are friends of mine,” she revealed. “It was about finding people I trusted, who were down to play and could deliver strong performances in this unique setup.”
Unforgettable Moments on Set
When asked about their favorite moments, both Youngblood and Russell had a lot to share. Russell highlighted the thrill of filming on a real airplane set, saying, “Working on a plane was exhilarating. It’s a confined space, so every move you make as an actor is more intense, which adds to the challenge.”
Youngblood, meanwhile, pointed to two standout moments. “There were two improvised scenes that made it into the final cut,” she said, highlighting one with Daniel Ribeiro and Sandy McCree, and another between Maria Russell and Scott Dean. “Maria completely turned the scene on its head. I was in awe watching her performance. It was one of those magic moments on set.”
A Potential Sequel in the Air?
When asked if there might be a continuation of In Flight, Youngblood hinted that there have been discussions. “There’s been a lot of talk and some story points shared about continuing with these characters. I think it’s definitely something we should do.”
With In Flight, Bo Youngblood and Maria Russell have created a suspense-filled experience that captivates viewers and keeps them on edge until the very end. To see the story unfold, In Flight is available now, and fans are already hoping this isn’t the last we’ll see of these characters—or the tension-filled skies they navigate.