Passenger’s Lou Llobell Tells Us About Night Shoots, Genre Shifts & Playing Maddie

Directed by André Øvredal, who helmed The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019), Passenger arrives as contemporary horror continues to find a growing audience for intelligent, character-driven narratives – it’s the fastest-growing genre at the box office, after all. Following the success of the likes of Sinners (2025), Get Out (2017), Smile (2022) and Talk to Me (2022), the appetite for performance-led horror remains strong. Enter Passenger, which follows a couple whose van life adventure turns into a survival horror after a horrific accident.

Lou Llobell plays Maddie, opposite Jacob Scipio as Tyler, caught between her relationship and the primal terror of being hunted. A leading star of Apple TV+’s Foundation, C&TH sat down with Lou to discuss her approach to horror, the challenges of night shoots on location, and her ambitions for the roles ahead.

Lou Llobell on shooting Passenger: ‘We basically functioned like vampires’

Q&A: Lou Llobell On Passenger

How’s life going at the moment?

Really well thank you! I’m currently filming season 4 of Foundation and it’s really exciting. I feel so grateful for this job, and four seasons is such an amazing feat – I am incredibly proud of everyone involved.

Can you give us an elevator pitch for Passenger?

A young couple move out of their Brooklyn apartment to become van lifers. Six weeks into the trip they witness an accident and they are marked by an evil entity. They need to do what they can to survive.

Lou Llobell as “Maddie” in Passenger from Paramount Pictures.

You play Maddie – how would you describe her?

She is sensible and loyal, and adores her boyfriend Tyler – so much so that she agrees to try out van life because it’s his passion. She also hasn’t grown up with a nuclear family; she moved from different foster homes and really yearns for the kind of security you get from a stable home.

What was it like playing her?

So great, I really took to her and her more thoughtful and shyer demeanour. It was also really exciting to get to play a new character after playing Gaal on Foundation for the last six years.

How did you get into character?

I would listen to a playlist of songs that reminded me of Maddie on my journey to work. It was also pretty easy to find who she was – it was all on the page.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Most of our filming days over six to eight weeks were night shoots and on location. We basically functioned like vampires, which was exhausting, but Jacob and I would always talk about how lucky we were that we’d get to see thirty-ish sunsets and sunrises during our time filming.

Jacob Scipio as “Tyler” and Lou Llobell as “Maddie” in Passenger from Paramount Pictures.

What was the cast dynamic on set?

Joseph Lopez, who plays our passenger, would be in character in between takes and would whisper scary things in my ear. He was so committed to the role and would rarely break character, but when he did, he is the nicest coolest man ever. Jacob and I really supported each other a lot; the chemistry was so easy to find and I really really loved playing in scenes with him. He also loves to improv which was always so fun.

Who was your favourite person to work with?

Jacob was such a blessing for me. We are now really close and really supported each other throughout filming. He was so supportive and is one heck of an actor.

Lou Llobell in “Foundation,” now streaming on Apple TV.

What has been your favourite project to date?

I’ve been on Foundation for six or seven years now, and our cast and crew are now like family. Passenger was the first project I’ve done outside of that, so I’d have to say they have both been my favourite so far.

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

I am so lucky to have been able to work with so many amazing people throughout my time on Foundation. Laura Birn, Terrance Mann, Jared Harris, and Lee Pace just to name a few. I’ve also had some wonderful love interests who made selling a romantic relationship on camera super easy – Alfred Enoch and Brandon P. Bell are wonderful.

Brandon Bell and Lou Llobell in “Foundation,” now streaming on Apple TV.

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

Melissa Leo took me under her wing and was so graceful and brilliant. She gave me some great advice. She is such a force.

What’s your dream role?

I’d love to play a villain one day; I think that would be so much fun!

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

I kind of want to try everything. I have experience in sci-fi and now horror – which I’d love to do more of – but I want to dip my toe into everything I think: an action movie, a comedy, an indie drama maybe?

Do you get to spend much time at home?

Not much at all! I bought my apartment in London a couple of years ago and I think I’ve only spent a total of eight months there during that time.

Do you live in the town or the country? Which do you prefer?

I live in the town. I love the hustle and bustle and pace of the city. The countryside is lovely for a long weekend but I prefer being in the city for sure.

Lou Llobell: ‘I’d love to play a villain one day.’

What’s your interior design style?

I’m not sure how I would describe it, but I’ve done it in quite a fresh, light and warm feel. I have limewashed walls and ceilings which give it quite an earthy feel. Most of my furniture is oak wood, which again aligns with that grounded earthy feel. My favourite piece is actually my khaki Vetsak – it’s my pride and joy!

How do you find balance in your personal and work lives?

I love going on trips with my friends and family. When I want to wind down after a job that’s what I do. But during a job your work and personal life kind of go hand in hand.

How can we all live a little bit better?

Drink more water and do at least one thing that makes you happy – could be as simple as treating yourself to a really good coffee.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

Hopefully a trip somewhere warm on a beach!

Lou Llobell: ‘I want to dip my toe into everything.’

What Lou Is Loving Right Now

I’m currently watching… Heartbreak High

What I’m reading… The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Project Hail Mary

Favourite film of all time… City of God

Favourite song of all time… ‘Les Fleurs’ by Minnie Riperton or ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ by Ella Fitzgerald

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Rosalía and Bad Bunny

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Saatchi Gallery

Cultural guilty pleasure… The Housewives, Below Deck and Summer House – all of it!

Lou Llobell stars in Passenger, in cinemas now.

Credits

• Photographer: Kenneth Soh
• Make-up: Kenneth Soh
• Hair: Kieron Lavine
• Styling: Georgia Medley