shirt + trousers. Airei
shoes. Ami Paris
In a world where stories have the power to transform and connect, Alex Neustaedter stands out as an actor who brings depth and authenticity to every role he undertakes. Best known for his compelling performances in various films and series, Neustaedter has once again captured our attention with his portrayal in the highly anticipated adaptation of It Ends With Us.
The first Colleen Hoover novel to grace the silver screen unfolds the tale of Lily Bloom, a woman who rises from the ashes of a harrowing childhood to forge a new life in the heart of Boston, where she chases her cherished dream of opening her own business. A serendipitous encounter with the captivating neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid ignites a passionate connection, but as their love blossoms, dark echoes of her parents’ turbulent relationship begin to surface. When Lily’s first love, the enigmatic Atlas Corrigan, reappears unexpectedly, her world is thrown into turmoil. Caught between past and present, Lily must summon the courage to make a heartrending choice that will shape the course of her future.
Neustaedter plays the younger version of Atlas Corrigan and, in conversation with Schön!, he discusses his approach to this challenging role, his experiences on set, and the profound connections he found with the story’s themes.
Can you share how you approached your role in It Ends With Us and how you prepared to bring your character to life?
I started familiarizing myself with the book once I got the role. That’s the foundation for this entire project and an amazing resource to dive into for this character. I also wanted to go to Maine and spend some time there before filming began. I went on a week-long road trip camping out of my teardrop trailer up to Acadia National Park from NYC; stopping in various towns and places along the way, getting a sense of the rugged landscape and small-town communities up the coast. I wanted to be there and feel what it was like to exist in Maine before we filmed in New Jersey. It was also the first time I had tried lobster, I figured when in Maine.
It Ends With Us has a passionate fan base. How did you balance staying true to the book while bringing your own interpretation to the character?
The book was so helpful to pull from for Young Atlas. Everybody has their interpretation of these characters while reading this book. Colleen does a great job with her writing, and you feel like you know these characters and you get so close to them. For me as an actor, I really just focused on how I connected to Young Atlas and I stayed true to that throughout filming.
coat. Bobby Cabbagestalk
jacket. OAMC
trousers. Comme Des Garçon
shoes. Ami Paris
opposite
jacket. OAMC
The story deals with heavy and emotional themes. How did you mentally and emotionally prepare for these intense scenes?
I tried to go into these scenes as open as I could and just be present with Isabela. I tried not to do anything but to just be true to how I connected with Atlas. Working with Isabela made these scenes feel alive and I found a lot of enjoyment working on these with her. I think the fact we got so close and comfortable around each other made working with such a heavy subject matter much easier. It felt like we were just kids trying to connect.
Do you have any interesting or funny behind-the-scenes stories from filming that you’d like to share?
Isabela and I were staying at the same hotel, and during our first weekend there I mentioned the idea of going to Six Flags as I had never been to the one on the east coast. She was game and we ended up spending a day there and about halfway through the day we noticed a very ominous storm and started getting alert messages on our phones. We decided to do one more ride before heading back to the car. On our walk back, lightning and thunder were very present. We started running to the car as lightning hit one of the tallest rides just as a downpour started. It was one of those summer thunderstorms where you can’t see 10 feet in front of you because the rain was coming down so hard, it was awesome.
blazer. Hed Maynor
vest. ROA
trousers. Jacquemus
Did you find any personal connections to the themes in It Ends With Us? How did these connections influence your performance?
I always try to find personal connections and ways I can relate to what the character is going through from my own life. I know a lot of people are going to connect with what Atlas and Lily have experienced and I hope this film shows how even the smallest gesture to someone can change their life. Being good to one another is how we connect, grow, and heal.
What message or feeling do you hope audiences take away from the film, especially those who are fans of the book?
I think this movie does an amazing job of showing what true love really is. The relationship Atlas and Lily have is pure, and they truly only want the best for each other. It’s not about possession or sex appeal but about genuine connection. Once they are finally able to love themselves for who they are, they are ready to fully love one another.
blazer + trousers. Random Identities
shirt. Kozaburo
shoes. Barny Nakhle
opposite
coat. Bottega Veneta
shirt + trousers. Ami Paris
boots. Guidi
After working on such an impactful film, what kinds of roles or projects are you looking forward to in the future? Are there any particular genres or stories that excite you?
I always gravitate and connect with projects that have a purpose and a greater message that can resonate with an audience and make their life better, or give them hope. I’m very proud to be a part of this film and what it stands for. In terms of future projects, I grew up watching a lot of comedies and adventure movies and still do. I think doing a project of that nature would be really exciting.
How was it working alongside Isabela Ferrer? Did you two have any specific moments or exercises to build chemistry on set?
I really enjoyed working with Isabela, she is such a talented actress; it’s hard to believe this is one of her first projects. Her positive energy is contagious and fun to be around. It didn’t take long for us to begin trusting each other while working together. Isabela mentioned to me one day while filming that she didn’t know how to drive, and I saw that as an opportunity. After filming one night, I told her it was time. We went out to the empty hotel parking lot and I gave her my keys, an explanation of the car, and which pedals to press. From there we were off driving around the parking lot with a few abrupt stops, a lot of laughs and nervousness. It was really fun teaching her because I also learned how to drive while on set a few years ago. She did great and we all survived.
blazer + trousers. Random Identities
shirt. Kozaburo
It Ends With Us is in theatres now.
photography. Ben Duggan
fashion. Douglas Van Laningham
talent. Alex Neustaedter
grooming. Ayae Yamamoto @ Exclusive Artists
director of photography. Aaron Butwinick
lighting. Parabolix
photography assistant. Hamish Sinclair
fashion assistant. Jeremy Friend
location. Vision Studios
interview. Alper Kurtel
