Filmmaker Meredith Alloway is stepping into the spotlight with her first feature film, Forbidden Fruits, a witchy comedy-horror that blends female friendships, surreal storytelling, and body horror.
Fresh off its premiere at SXSW, Alloway described the experience as almost unreal. Presenting her film to a packed audience felt like an out-of-body moment—especially for what she calls a “tiny indie that could.”
The film follows a group of young women—played by Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, and Alexandra Shipp—who work in a mall boutique and secretly form a coven. Each character is named after a fruit, adding a playful yet symbolic layer to the story. What starts as a quirky workplace dynamic evolves into something darker and more surreal as their bond deepens.
The project is based on a stage play by Lily Houghton, which Alloway co-adapted for the screen. While the original play focused on the nuances of female relationships, Alloway expanded it into the horror genre, using body horror as a way to amplify emotional experiences and reflect the realities of womanhood.
The mall setting plays a key role in shaping the film’s world. Inspired by Alloway’s own childhood memories, it creates a nostalgic backdrop that contrasts with the eerie, supernatural elements. She wanted the environment to feel alive—an ecosystem where the characters interact not just with each other, but with the wider world around them.
The cast, which also includes Emma Chamberlain and Gabrielle Union, brought their own perspectives to the film, contributing to its collaborative and distinctly female-driven energy. Alloway describes them as deeply committed, emotionally open, and perfectly aligned with the film’s tone.
Visually, the film leans into a “witchy” aesthetic, with costumes inspired by designers like Rodarte. Securing pieces from the label was a major moment for the team, especially after multiple attempts to get their attention.
Alloway’s love for filmmaking started early. Growing up surrounded by cult classics like The Lost Boys and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, she developed a passion not just for storytelling, but for building immersive worlds. After studying theater and working in film journalism, she transitioned into directing her own projects, leading up to this debut.
Now, with Forbidden Fruits, she’s seeing that vision come full circle. At a recent screening, fans showed up dressed as characters from the film—something she sees as the ultimate sign that the world she created has resonated.
For Alloway, that’s what filmmaking is really about: not just telling a story, but creating a universe people want to step into.