Exclusive Interview
Jordan Alexa Davis Steps Into the Thrilling World of The End of Oak Street
The rising star opens up about making her feature-film debut, working alongside Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, and bringing the quietly courageous Jeannette to life.
Jordan Alexa Davis joined Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss her journey into the mysterious and suspense-filled world of The End of Oak Street. Arriving in theaters and IMAX on August 14, the film places an ordinary suburban family in an extraordinary fight for survival—and marks Davis’s first feature film.
For Davis, the long wait to finally share the project has made its release especially meaningful. The movie was filmed two years ago, and she described the experience as jumping directly into the deep end. What first drew her to the screenplay was its ability to feel fresh and unfamiliar while still carrying a sense of nostalgia.
“It’s my first film that I’ve ever done, which is pretty insane. I feel like I kind of just jumped into the deep end with this.” Jordan Alexa Davis
Finding Jeannette
Davis initially auditioned through a self-tape before moving on to a Zoom callback. The character description gave her only a few details: Jeannette was a reserved 14-year-old girl. That limited information created both a challenge and an opportunity, giving Davis room to imagine the character’s backstory and inner world.
She describes Jeannette as soft-spoken, sensitive and sweet, but says audiences should not underestimate her. As the danger escalates, the character emerges as a surprising underdog whose bravery and strength become increasingly clear.
“She’s like a surprising underdog. She’s very soft-spoken and sensitive and sweet, but she’s also very brave and very strong.” Jordan Alexa Davis
Watch the Full Interview
Working With Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor
Stepping onto a major production for the first time could have been overwhelming, especially alongside actors Davis had grown up watching. Instead, she found Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor to be generous scene partners who helped create a safe and supportive environment.
Although Davis was understandably nervous on her first day, that anxiety eased once filming began. She knew she could approach her experienced co-stars with questions, and their willingness to help allowed her to focus on the work in front of her.
“They were the best scene partners I could have asked for in my first movie. They’re so brilliant and so good at what they do.” Jordan Alexa Davis
Bringing the Dinosaurs to Life
The film’s creature sequences required Davis and the cast to shift between practical reference points and pure imagination. Depending on the scene, performers in full blue suits helped with technical stunt work. At other times, the actors had nothing in front of them and had to picture the danger themselves.
Dinosaur heads mounted on sticks were also used for certain face-to-face moments, helping the cast establish an eyeline and understand the scale of the creatures. That mixture of effects work demanded concentration while adding another layer of discovery to Davis’s first film experience.
A Story About Family and Survival
Beneath the thrills, spectacle and 1980s suburban setting, Davis sees The End of Oak Street as a story about human nature. When danger arrives, personal differences become secondary to the instinct to protect the people we love.
“When you are put into dangerous situations, even if the people close to you have differences, if you love each other, you’re going to come together.” Jordan Alexa Davis
The physically and emotionally demanding material also taught Davis the importance of separating herself from the anxiety of the character and the story. Her advice to other young actors entering their first major production is to maintain a life outside the work and surround themselves with supportive people.
Davis hopes viewers leave the theater satisfied by the experience but still curious about the mysteries that remain. If the reactions at her early screening are any indication—her team watched much of the movie on edge and hiding behind their hands—audiences should prepare for a genuine thrill ride.
The End of Oak Street arrives in theaters and IMAX on August 14. Watch the complete conversation above and follow Pop Culture Unplugged with Elias for more exclusive interviews with the stars of film and television.