Get ready to start crushing on “Crush,” a new LGBTQ romantic comedy shot by Liverpool-based American High in Syracuse, N.Y.
The movie, produced by Natasha Lyonne (“Russian Doll,” “OITNB”) and Maya Rudolph (“Saturday Night Live,” “Bridesmaids”), premieres on Hulu this Friday, April 29. Here’s everything you need to know about the film, including how to watch it on the streaming service.
What is “Crush” about?
The plot follows an aspiring young artist (“Girl Meets World” star Rowan Blanchard) who’s forced to join her high school track team. She uses it as an opportunity to pursue the girl she’s been harboring a long-time crush on, but she soon finds herself falling for an unexpected teammate and discovers what real love feels like.
“Are you coming out today?” Isabella Ferreira’s character asks Blanchard in the lesbian teen rom-com’s trailer.
“Actually, I’ve been out for a really long time, I’m extremely gay,” Blanchard responds.
“I was actually talking about track tryouts,” Ferreira responds.
Rowan Blanchard and Auli'i Cravalho) star in "Crush," a new American High movie shot in Syracuse. (Photo by: Hulu)
Who’s in the movie?
Besides Blanchard and Ferreira, the cast includes Auli’i Cravalho (Disney’s “Moana”), Tyler Alvarez (“American Vandal”), Teala Dunn (“Are We There Yet?”), and Rico Paris (“Better Call Saul”), with Aasif Mandvi (“Evil”), Michelle Buteau (“Always Be My Maybe”) and Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”).
“Crush” is the feature-length directorial debut from Sammi Cohen, who told Pride.com that the coming-of-age film aims to help normalize the queer experience “as a human experience.”
(L-R) Jes Tom, Addie Weyrich, Rowan Blanchard, Teala Dunn, director Sammi Cohen, Isabella Ferreira and Auli'i Cravalho attend the Los Angeles Premiere Of Hulu's Original Film 'Crush' - After Party at NeueHouse Los Angeles on April 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
Kirsten King and Casey Rackham wrote the script loosely based on their own experiences, reportedly seeking to depict “the queer joy they wanted to see on screen growing up.”
The movie is produced by Jeremy Garelick, Will Phelps and Ryan Bennett for American High; Natasha Lyonne, Maya Rudolph and Danielle Renfrew Behrens for Animal Pictures; Andrew Miano and Britta Rowings for Depth of Field; Katie Newman for 3 Arts; and Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon for LD Entertainment. Depth of Field’s Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz, and Dan Balgoyen are executive producers on the project. LD Entertainment’s Michael Glassman is also on board as an executive producer, as is Max Butler.
Megan Mullaly and Tyler Alverez appear in "Crush," a new American High movie filmed in Syracuse. (Photo by: Hulu)
How do I watch “Crush?”
“Crush” is streaming exclusively on Hulu at no extra charge to subscribers. Hulu subscriptions are available at hulu.com starting at $6.99 a month with ads or $12.99 without ads; Hulu also offers a bundle deal with Hulu (ad-supported), Disney+ and ESPN+ together for $13.99 a month, and Hulu + Live TV includes more than 75 live TV channels for $69.99 a month.
The release date for “Crush” is Friday, April 29, 2022.
What is “Crush” rated?
The movie is being released directly onto the streaming service Hulu and not in theaters, so it doesn’t have a traditional MPAA rating like PG-13 or R, but it is rated TV-MA for mature audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
“Love is messy AF,” the movie’s tagline says on the poster.
L to R: Isabella Ferreira, Rowan Blanchard, and Auli’i Cravalho star in "Crush," a new American High movie filmed in Syracuse. (Photo by: Hulu)
Where was “Crush” filmed?
Scenes were shot in the summer of 2021 at Syracuse Studios (the former A.V. Zogg Middle School and high school in Liverpool, N.Y.), and the surrounding area in Central New York.
“Crush” was previously known as “Love in Color” during filming. Mullally’s husband, Nick Offerman, was spotted in Armory Square at Pastabilities during the production, but is not listed in the cast.
Other American High movies shot in Syracuse currently available on Hulu also include: “Sex Appeal,” “Plan B,” “The Binge,” “Big Time Adolescence,” and “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise.”