“Wayward” is a riveting film rooted in a mothers love.
Director Jacquelyn Frohlich takes us behind the camera for a closer look!
Wayward was released on November 15, 2024. the film is directed and written by Jacquelyn Frohlich and produced by Ian Michaels. Executive Producers of the film are Colleen Camp, Jacquelyn Frohlich, Jess Weixler.
Wayward follows 11-year-old girl named Cleo who is traveling across the country with her mother Arlene. On the trip, Cleo becomes enamored with a charismatic female hitchhiker who her mom picks up in hopes that the young hitchhiking singer could help make this long journey more entertaining and tolerable for the pair. However, Cleo forms an unlikely bond with the hitchhiker that tests maternal ties and places her in an unpredictable situation.
In this emotional and poignant film, 11 year old Cleo is yearning for stability in her life. Cleo and her mom set out on the road for their move from Idaho to Los Angeles. As she detaches more and more from her mother, the girl develops a deep bond with the vibrant young hitchhiker named Orbison. Nearing the rebellious and angst filled stage of preteen hood, Cleo and the hitchhiker find each other interesting and cool.
As the lines blur between running away and actual kidnapping, this exhilarating and moving film shows how deep and far a mother will go to ensure the safety of her child.
Scenes in Color got to chat with Wayward director Jacquelyn Frohlich about her feature film directorial debut. The film premiered at the Deauville festival in France last year. When speaking about that event, Frohlich said, “Yes It was amazing because I got a chance to talk with other directors and was able to get feedback from viewers”.
Going from novelist to screen writer and director, Frohlich skillfully directing this heartfelt and riveting work of cinema.
Scenes in Color asked: What was the initial spark or inspiration behind the story that you wanted to tell in Wayward?
Jacquelyn Frohlich: I wanted to tell a story about relationships and also wanted to film something on location, which I found out was hard with the budget I had so we had to film a lot of scenes in the car to cut costs.
Through a tight budget and constraints, Frohlich truly does well to capture the essence of the 3 main characters as they all are going through different stages of emotional turmoil throughout the film. In many ways, all 3 females have been fractured or experienced a certain level of trauma involving being second fiddle in a relationship where their worth isn’t being prioritized nor appreciated.
Audiences will easily engage and immediately connect to the contentious relationship dynamic between Arlene and her budding preteen daugther. Although flawed, and navigating life in ways that do not provide the stable childhood that Cleo deserves, the story forces Arlene to realize that Cleo’s willingness to separate from her may be warranted and more in part to her parenting than any amount of preteen rebellion or teenage hormonal emotions could bring on. .
As the film unfolds, the one unwavering sentiment is that Arlene’s love for her child, regardless of circumstances or ways in which the love is related or displayed is deep, pure, and endless. When faced with dangerous and unforeseen circumstances, both Cleo and Arlene are forced to face the consequences that the actions of their tumultuous relationship has brought forth
Wayward stars: Chloe Guidry, Jess Weixler, Jessica Sula, Will Brittain, and Rob Morrow.
This film is brought to viewers by Abramorama.
Check out the trailer below and visit https://waywardfilm.com to find out more information and where you can get tickets for the film.