Alia Shawkat and Kristen Stewart are reuniting for the stoner comedy "The Wrong Girls," which opens in theaters on Aug. 14, 2026 [1].
The collaboration marks a significant shift in the professional dynamic between the two actresses, as Shawkat has recently spoken about the restrictive environment of their previous work together.
Shawkat and Stewart first appeared together in the 2010 film "The Runaways" [1, 2]. Reflecting on that experience, Shawkat said she "literally was not allowed to speak" on the set [1]. She said, "We were children on the set" [1].
Their new project, "The Wrong Girls," is written and directed by Dylan Meyer. The film is a Neon release and will open nationwide in theaters [1, 3]. Meyer said the project is "a love letter to wayward chaotic women" [2].
Promotion for the film began earlier this summer, with Neon releasing three photos from the production in June [3]. The film's arrival follows a period of reflection for Shawkat regarding her early career and the power dynamics of film sets.
Unlike the biographical nature of their first collaboration, this new project positions the pair within a comedic framework. The film aims to capture a specific energy of chaos and friendship, a contrast to the silence Shawkat experienced during the production of the 2010 biopic [1].
“"Literally was not allowed to speak."”
The reunion of Shawkat and Stewart highlights a broader trend of actors revisiting past collaborations under more equitable professional conditions. By contrasting the restrictive atmosphere of a 2010 set with a contemporary comedy, the production underscores the evolution of actor agency and the shift toward more collaborative environments in independent cinema.
