“Mouse”, interview with directors Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson

February 23, 2026

Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson on "Mouse"’s exploration of female friendship, mothers and daughters’ dynamics and finding your true place in the world

“Mouse”, interview with directors Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson Chiara Nicoletti

Podcast | Download

Following up their 2024 breakout feature “Ghostlight”, co-directors Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson return with “Mouse“, premiering in the Panorama section at the 76th Berlinale.

The film, a delicate coming-of-age story starring Katherine Mallen-Kupferer, who previously appeared in the cast of “Ghostlight”, sees the young actress in the role of Minnie, a shy and awkward high school senior grappling with the difficult task of finding herself now that she no longer basks in the reflected light of her best friend, Callie.

Female friendships

“I think female relationships are so fascinating at that age because you can love someone and idolize them and also be so deeply jealous of them. One person takes up space naturally and then without meaning to she leaves less space for the other one.” Kelly O’Sullivan observes.

Kelly O’Sullivan, who also wrote the film, drew deeply from her memories of being a high school teenager in her hometown of North Little Rock, Arkansas in the early 2000s. With Alex Thompson she tried to describe the difficult journey of a teenager trying to define who she is and what she wants out of life.

Mother and daughter relationships

“Mouse” is not only about a friendship but it’s also about the difficult relationship Minnie has with her mom. “Minnie, like so many teenagers, is deeply embarrassed by where she comes from and her family” says Kelly O’Sullivan, so, when she and Callie’s mom, Helen (Sophie Okonedo) are left without Callie, they will have to eventually fill an empty space in their life.

Plot

It’s 2002, and senior year of high school is on the horizon for best friends Minnie and Callie. The charismatic Callie is the golden child of their North Little Rock, Arkansas school, and Minnie has grown up in her protective shadow. When their friendship is suddenly upended at thestart of the summer, Minnie is left rudderless. Facing the challenge of establishing her own identity as the school year begins, Minnie forms a complicated relationship with Callie’s elegant and attentive mother, leading her further away from her own working mom and chaotic home.

Written by: Chiara Nicoletti

Sophie Okonedo

Guest

Alex Thompson Kelly O’Sullivan

Film

Mouse

Festival

Berlinale

Rate it

Channel posts

News

Festival de Cannes

Cannes 2026: The 79th Festival Unveils Its Official Selection

April 9, 2026

The 79th Cannes Film Festival has revealed its Official Selection, with returning masters and rising voices set to compete for the Palme d'Or from May 12 to 23.

Interview

Hallucinations Collective

Interview with programmer Éric Peretti at the Hallucinations Collective Film Festival

March 30, 2026

Discover the Hallucination Collective Film Festival in this interview with programmer Éric Peretti: unveiling underground vampire flicks and Mexican exploitation gems in Lyon’s most daring cinematic showcase.

Interview

Kinoteka Polish Film Festival

“Brother”, interview with director Maciej Sobieszczański

March 28, 2026

Maciej Sobieszczański on "Brother": from a real-life prison encounter to crafting a quiet, intimate drama about absence, family and fragile hope.

Interview

Kinoteka Polish Film Festival

“Franz”, interview with director Agnieszka Holland

March 28, 2026

Agnieszka Holland reflects on a bold, kaleidoscopic take on Kafka with "Franz", exploring the man behind the myth and his unexpected modern-day legacy.

LISTEN TO ALL OUR RADIO CHANNELS

“Mouse”, interview with directors Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson