Have you ever felt like your ex's past is haunting your present? Get ready for a hilarious deep dive into just that! Ashley Park, Leighton Meester, and Taylor John Smith have wrapped up filming on a new indie comedy called 'Basic,' marking the directorial debut of the incredibly talented Chelsea Devantez. This movie promises a laugh-out-loud exploration of modern relationships and the often-messy baggage we all carry. But here's where it gets controversial: are we really ever over our exes' exes?
'Basic' is based on Devantez's award-winning short film of the same name, which garnered recognition at prestigious events like SXSW and the HollyShorts Film Festival. The film centers around Gloria, played by Ashley Park, and Nick, played by Taylor John Smith, as they navigate the aftermath of a particularly painful breakup. In a quest to understand what went wrong, Gloria embarks on a mission to unravel Nick's past dating history. This journey leads her to Kaylinn, portrayed by Leighton Meester, who is described as the "hottest, most basic ex-girlfriend to ever exist." Kaylinn isn't just an ex; she's a force to be reckoned with, threatening to not only take Gloria's boyfriend but also steal her story.
And this is the part most people miss... The narrative cleverly uses humor to explore deeper themes of insecurity, comparison in the age of social media, and the struggle to define oneself in relation to others. It's not just about a breakup; it's about identity.
The film boasts an impressive list of production companies, including Marc Platt Productions (known for upcoming projects like 'Wicked: For Good' and 'How to Train Your Dragon'), BuzzFeed Studios ('Puppy Love,' 'Fall'), Fortitude International ('My Penguin Friend,' 'Backspot'), Caliwood Pictures ('Goodrich,' upcoming 'Killing Castro'), and 100 Zeros. The supporting cast is equally stellar, featuring Ashley Nicole Black ('A Black Lady Sketch Show'), Kandy Muse ('RuPaul’s Drag Race'), Nelson Franklin ('Veep'), Kenzie Elizabeth ('Easy'), and Kate Linder ('The Young and the Restless').
Behind the scenes, Marc Platt, Katie McNicol, and Adam Siegel are producing for Marc Platt Productions, alongside Nadine DeBarros for Fortitude International, and Michael Philip and Richard Alan Reid representing BuzzFeed Studios. Chelsea Devantez herself is an executive producer, along with Rachel Douglas and Casey Durant of 100 Zeroes, Jordan Moncada, R Wesley Sierk III of Caliwood Pictures, Lucas Jarach, Sandra Siegal, Ashley Park, and Leighton Meester. Fortitude International and BuzzFeed Studios are handling the worldwide sales of the film.
Producer Marc Platt expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Chelsea is a singular creative force—sharply funny, fearless, and full of heart. Her vision brilliantly captures how we engage with, judge ourselves and others, and are consumed by social media. With our stellar cast—Ashley Park, Leighton Meester, and Taylor John Smith—she’s created a sharply human, character-driven story that’s as hilarious as it is timely.”
Chelsea Devantez is a multi-talented Emmy-nominated writer, bestselling author, comedian, and director. She previously served as Head Writer for 'The Problem with Jon Stewart' on Apple TV+ and developed numerous shows under a television deal with 20th Century Fox. Her writing credits also include 'Girls5Eva,' 'Not Dead Yet,' and 'Bless This Mess.' Devantez's memoir, 'I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (but I’m Going To Anyway),' became a national bestseller. She also hosts the popular podcast 'Glamorous Trash.'
Ashley Park is recognized for her roles in 'Emily in Paris,' 'Girls5Eva,' the 2024 'Mean Girls' reboot, 'Only Murders in the Building,' 'Beef,' and 'Joy Ride.' Leighton Meester is known for her work in 'Gossip Girl,' 'Single Parents,' and 'Good Cop/Bad Cop,' with recent film credits including 'EXmas' and 'River Wild.' She is also set to appear in Rachel Sennott’s HBO series 'I Love LA' and the second season of Netflix’s 'Nobody Wants This.' Taylor John Smith has appeared in A24’s 'Warfare,' Sony’s 'Where the Crawdads Sing,' and HBO’s 'Sharp Objects.'
'Basic' promises to be more than just a romantic comedy. It offers a satirical look at how social media impacts our relationships and self-perception. Do you think we're too obsessed with our partners' pasts? Can social media truly "steal" our stories? And most importantly, is it possible to ever truly escape the shadow of an ex? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
