The intense, often bewildering bonds forged in college dorms are about to take center stage on Netflix! Imagine stepping into your freshman year, a whirlwind of new faces, self-discovery, and the ever-present reality of sharing your personal space with a near stranger. This is the raw, unfiltered experience that the upcoming Netflix film, 'Roommates,' aims to capture, complete with a soundtrack that perfectly echoes the delightful chaos, featuring Charli XCX's anthem, “girl, so confusing.”
Directed by Chandler Levack, known for 'Mile End Kicks,' and brought to life by Adam Sandler's Happy Madison production company, 'Roommates' introduces us to Devon, played by Sadie Sandler (fresh off her role in 'You're So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah'), and Celeste, portrayed by Chloe East ('Heretic'). These two are our titular roommates, embarking on what promises to be a journey filled with both laughter and poignant moments. The talented ensemble cast also includes Storm Reid ('Euphoria'), Billy Bryk, Ivy Wolk, and Bailee Madison ('Pretty Little Liars: Summer School'), among others. The screenplay, penned by Jimmy Fowlie and Ceara O'Sullivan (the minds behind Saturday Night Live's viral “Domingo” sketch), delves deep into the freshman experience.
Director Chandler Levack shared with Teen Vogue that the film was born from a desire to explore the often-overlooked first year of college. “I really loved that it was this super funny, honest investigation of first year of college,” Levack explained. “It really is a super bizarre time in your life where you're leaving your family for the very first time, you're trying to define yourself outside of everyone you've ever known and reinvent yourself, but you're also terrified and socially awkward and thrust into adulthood.”
Sadie Sandler described her character, Devon, as someone entering college with a deep yearning for connection. “Devon is going into her freshman year of college having never really had a friend,” she told Teen Vogue. “She’s socially awkward and just trying to find her place—her goal is to finally find her group.” Chloe East added to this, noting the initial optimism of the roommate dynamic: “They meet freshman year thinking they’re going to be besties—like they’re going to totally understand each other—and then you start to see little cracks in the wall.”
But here's where it gets interesting: Sadie Sandler herself was navigating the very real experience of having a roommate during her own freshman year at NYU while the film was in pre-production. This personal parallel undoubtedly lent an authentic layer to her portrayal. “In college, everyone’s trying to figure themselves out,” Sandler reflected.
