A24's The Chaperones Adds Danielle Deadwyler, Billy Barratt, Alfred Molina, Tim Meadows, and Dolly De Leon
Some road trips are messy by design. A24's The Chaperones is leaning into that energy, and it just pulled together a cast that makes you sit up a little straighter.
Danielle Deadwyler (movies and tv series), Billy Barratt (movies and tv series), Alfred Molina (movies and tv series), Tim Meadows (movies and tv series), and Dolly De Leon (movies and tv series) have joined the drama, produced by Plan B (movies and tv series) and Robert Pattinson (movies and tv series)'s banner Icki Eneo Arlo, with indie filmmaker India Donaldson directing. A24 is backing the film, which is now in production. More on A24.
The setup
The story centers on a drug dealer and his two slacker buddies hired to transport a troubled teen across the country. It's a job that sounds simple until you actually try it.
David Jonsson (movies and tv series), Cooper Hoffman (movies and tv series), and Paul Dano (movies and tv series) lead the film: Hoffman plays the aggressive, reckless "chaperone," Jonsson is his reluctant partner, and Dano is the dealer who sets everything in motion.
Who's playing who
- Billy Barratt is the teen who needs chaperoning.
- Danielle Deadwyler is playing Jonsson's sister.
- Alfred Molina is Hoffman's sleazy boss.
- Tim Meadows and Dolly De Leon are onboard; their roles are still under wraps.
Sebastian Black wrote the script. And yes, it's rolling cameras.
Why this pairing clicks
Look at the mix: rising leads with quietly sharp instincts, plus veterans who can steal a scene with a glance. That usually points to a character-first movie with some grit under its nails. And with a cross-country escort job at the center, we're likely tracking more than mileage - think frayed loyalties, bad decisions, and the kind of conversations people only have at 2 a.m. in the middle of nowhere.
Recent work - quick hits
- Danielle Deadwyler recently headlined Blumhouse's The Woman in the Yard and appeared in I Saw the TV Glow, The Piano Lesson, and Carry-On.
- Billy Barratt starred in A24's Philippou Brothers horror Bring Her Back and appears on Apple TV's sci-fi series Invasion.
- Alfred Molina, a fixture since Spider-Man 2, was last seen in Doug Liman (movies and tv series)'s Apple TV movie The Instigators with Matt Damon (movies and tv series) and Casey Affleck (movies and tv series).
- Tim Meadows popped up in DC Studios' Peacemaker and stars in CBS' workplace comedy DMV.
- Dolly De Leon broke out with Triangle of Sadness and appeared in Paul Feig (movies and tv series)'s action comedy Jackpot! with John Cena (movies and tv series) and Awkwafina.
Industry notes
- Reps - Deadwyler: Paradigm Talent Agency, Play Management, Ziffren Brittenham.
- Reps - Barratt: Paradigm, Sylvia Young (movies and tv series) Agency, Hansen Jacobson.
- Reps - Molina: Lou Coulson Associates, Anonymous Content.
- Reps - Meadows: Reliant Talent Agency, Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
- Reps - De Leon: Gersh, Fusion Entertainment, Jackoway Austen.
Here's what this could mean: A24 and Plan B don't sign on unless there's something interesting in the engine. If the performances land the way this lineup suggests, The Chaperones could be one of those small, tense rides that sticks with you long (movies and tv series) after the credits.
We'll update as roles lock and the production moves down the road.
