Julia Fox’s Steamy Lesbian Romance ‘Perfect’ Heats Up SXSW With Pregnant Sex, Panty Sniffing and FKA Twigs Music Ashley Moore, the lead actor in Julia Fox’s new film Perfect, urged the audience at its SXSW world premiere to leave “horny” after the screening. The movie, directed by Millicent Hailes, follows Kai, a drifter stranded in a desert town during a global clean water crisis, as she becomes entangled in a complex romance with Mallory, a mysterious and pregnant woman played by Fox. Described by one character as a “total fucking MILF,” Mallory’s presence sparks a relationship filled with emotional and physical intensity, including scenes of nudity, panty sniffing, and intimate encounters. Hailes emphasized the film’s layered narrative, calling it “three films in one” due to the nuanced dynamics between her and Moore’s characters. Fox praised Moore’s performance, declaring, “A star is born,” as the actor took on her first lead role. The film’s soundtrack features FKA Twigs’ throbbing dance tracks, with the song “Eusexua” accompanying a pivotal scene set by a lake. Hailes explained her choice, noting how the track resonated with her emotionally. During the screening, Hailes invited the audience to provide real-time feedback, encouraging cheers for scenes they loved and “oohs” for those they disliked. The crowd erupted in applause when Kai and Mallory finally share a kiss, marking a turning point in their relationship. The film also stars Lío Mehiel, Micaela Wittman, Ryder McLaughlin, Kate Moennig, and Creed Bratton, with Hailes describing the project as a “sales title” at SXSW, hinting at its commercial potential through subtle cues like “cigarette smoke signals” to buyers.#sxsw #millicent_hailes #julia_fox #ashley_moore #fka_twigs
Cinematographer Ksusha Genenfeld on Shooting Intimacy and Natural Light in Perfect Cinematographer Ksusha Genenfeld discussed her work on Perfect, a film that premiered at SXSW 2026, in an interview ahead of the festival. Directed by self-taught filmmaker Millicent Hailes, the film follows Kai, a woman living out of her car after a breakup in a world struggling with water scarcity. She discovers a hidden lake and forms a bond with Mallory, a wealthy pregnant woman with her own secrets. Genenfeld, who shot the film with a small crew, shared insights into her approach to visual storytelling, intimacy, and adapting to unexpected challenges on set. Genenfeld emphasized the importance of naturalistic lighting and dynamic compositions to reflect the film’s themes. She explained that the film’s world, marked by heat and drought, required a visual style that highlighted the harshness of the environment. “We wanted to use natural light as much as possible because that’s what the world deserved,” she said. The team relied on techniques like bounce cards and diffusion to shape light, ensuring characters with diverse skin tones were portrayed authentically. For Julia Fox’s character, a pregnant woman navigating complex emotions, softer diffusion was used to avoid overexposure to the sun. The film’s exploration of intimacy, particularly between two women—one of whom is pregnant—was a key focus. Genenfeld highlighted the collaboration with intimacy coordinator Darci Fulcher, stressing the need for trust and comfort on set. “We had extensive prep to ensure everyone felt safe,” she said. The team worked closely with actors to build trust, allowing them to focus on their performances rather than camera mechanics.#perfect #ksusha_genenfeld #millicent_hailes #sxsw_2026 #julia_fox
