Sadie Sink is reflecting on her experience filming Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well: The Short Film.” The actress opened up to Bustle about starring in the video alongside Dylan O’Brien. Sink recalled not realizing the dialogue from the memorable kitchen fight scene with O’Brien’s character would be used in the final version.
Starring in Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well: The Short Film” was a unique experience for Sadie Sink. In a new interview with Bustle, the 22-year-old “Stranger Things” actress reflected on filming the 2021 music video and revealed the memorable kitchen fight scene with Dylan O’Brien was shot in just one take — with both actors unaware their dialogue would make it into the final cut.
Upon receiving the ask from Swift’s team to star in “All Too Well: The Short Film,” Sink was taken aback. “It was wildly confusing at first, because I never thought of myself as someone who would even reach her desk. But I grew up on her music and was such a fan,” she told the outlet.
“She’s been such a huge part of my life,” Sink added of Swift. “If a song of hers reminded me of a character, I would use it to get into a role. She had always been a little voice in my head, so it was super surreal…It was amazing that she recognized that in me somehow, that I would understand the song, the message, the story she was trying to tell.”
Set to Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” an extended take on the fan-favorite track from her 2012 album, “Red,” the short film — directed by the musician — chronicles a romantic relationship that ends in a rough breakup.
After shooting the “All Too Well” video, Sink — who stars in the new thriller “A Sacrifice” — was “really scared” to watch the finished version, mainly because she wasn’t expecting the kitchen fight with O’Brien to be featured.
“When [Swift] told me she kept that scene, I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ It was completely on the fly; I don’t remember anything I said; we only did one take,” recalled Sink.
“I remember they attached microphones to us, and I was like, ‘Why are they making us wear a mic?’ I thought they were just capturing our mouths moving and we were going to visualize a fight in the kitchen [with music playing over it],” she continued. “I just went with whatever came up in the moment. It was a crazy, fun acting game, and it happened to be in the final cut.”
Ultimately, Sink felt Swift’s choice to include the scene was “so cool and realistic” because real fights within relationships are “not supposed to be completely well thought-out.”
“You may say the same thing over and over, but that’s real, and that’s natural. You don’t see a lot of natural dialogue in films,” she explained. “So for her to allow us the space to improvise and interact in a way that we would if we were actually having a fight with our partner, just really served the song and the story well.”
In December 2022, Swift wrote a heartfelt piece honoring Sink and her talents for Entertainment Weekly and reflected on the kitchen fight scene.
“When she went head-to-head with Dylan O’Brien in an explosive argument scene, I decided to shoot the rehearsal on a whim,” said Swift at the time. “Good thing, because Sadie lit up that kitchen fight with ad-libbed lines, improvised twists and turns, and all with riveting nuance.”
The Grammy winner added, “The rehearsal is what ended up in the film, a one-shot battle that I didn’t have the nerve to cut down in the edit. Because EVERYTHING was captivating.”
Scrolling through social media the morning after “All Too Well’s” debut, many fans were discussing the film and its implications. The short film, which premiered alongside the release of “Red (Taylor’s Version),” stars Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink and was shot on 55mm film. The story revolves around the relationship of a young woman and a somewhat older man, highlighting the highs and lows of their romance, ultimately leading to a breakup.
The film sheds light on relationships with unequal power dynamics, a theme that resonates deeply with Swift’s own experiences. The casting of Sink and O’Brien, with their significant age difference, mirrors Swift’s relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal, who is almost a decade older than her.
The film’s portrayal of manipulation and power dynamics is brought to life by the talented acting of Sink and O’Brien. Their performances evoke a range of emotions, from anger to excitement to frustration. Sink’s expressions and emotions are particularly noteworthy, capturing the pain and vulnerability of her character.
The film also challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of relationships with unequal power dynamics, often romanticized in popular media. The realistic and sometimes uncomfortable portrayal in “All Too Well” offers a new perspective on such relationships.
The color symbolism in the film, with the progression from light to dark and back to light, dramatizes the emotions conveyed in the lyrics and performances. The final scene, with Jake looking at an older Taylor wearing the red scarf, symbolizes her growth and independence, while still leaving a mark on him.
“All Too Well” exceeded expectations with its exceptional acting and cinematography. The film’s ability to evoke strong emotions and challenge viewers’ perceptions makes it a standout piece.
Sadie Sink’s experience filming the kitchen fight scene in one take, with its raw and improvised dialogue, adds to the film’s authenticity. Swift’s intuition in casting Sink without an audition and allowing the actors the freedom to improvise demonstrates her keen understanding of storytelling and character dynamics.
Source: Bustle, Entertainment Weekly
