Watch: Angourie Rice & Mallori Johnson Form An Intense Bond In Clement Virgo’s Psychological Thriller ‘Steal Away’

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s the moment Angourie Rice and Mallori Johnson’s characters meet for the first time in psychological thriller Steal Away.

“Two teenage girls, a debutante and a refugee, are plunged into a psychosexual tug-of-war in an alternate universe that echoes the Deep South,” reads the logline for the movie, from Brother filmmaker Clement Virgo. In the clip we see Rice (Mare Of Easttown) and Johnson (Genius) as the female leads Fanny and Cecile.

The stars also gave Deadline the low-down on the movie ahead of its world premiere tonight (Friday) at the Toronto Film Festival.

Inspired by the non-fiction book ‘Steal Away Home’ by Karolyn Smardz Frost, the movie follows two teenage girls who meet when Cécile, a refugee, is taken in by a charitable family, which includes Fanny. They develop an intense and obsessive bond, Fanny becomes captivated by Cécile’s way of navigating life, leading to an awakening of desire and jealousy.

“I was excited by the thought of playing a character who was so vulnerable and flawed,” Angourie said. “I kept picturing her as a butterfly trapped in a cage, that’s who the character is to me.”

She added: “I hope people recognize the relevance of this film. Even though the world of the film may feel heightened, it is uncomfortably similar to our own.”

Johnson talked about the intense relationship between the two young women: “I think their initial bond serves to represent an important point the story makes about historical appropriation of Black culture, exploitation, and bodily autonomy.”

She added: “This story really showcases to me what it means to leave a legacy for your child, a legacy of hope and abundance and that’s what every parent wants, no matter who you are or where you come from. I hope that this can offer some perspective for those that have a hard time seeing that.”

Virgo of Conquering Lion Pictures (Canada) and Peter De Maegd and Tom Hameeuw of Potemkino (Belgium) are behind the film. Virgo wrote the screenplay with Tamara Faith Berger.

The movie was produced in association with Bell Media’s Super Ecran and its streaming service Crave, with CBC Films and 2CFilm.

Per our earlier scoop about the pic, it is being released by Elevation Pictures in Canada, and is targeted for a late 2025 theatrical run. U.S. and international sales are being handled by WME Independent.