The cast of the iconic 90s teen black comedy Jawbreaker recently celebrated a major milestone – the film’s 25th anniversary. Among them, Julie Benz, known for her role as Courtney Shayne in the movie, joined Judy Greer and Rebecca Gayheart for a special reunion. The event, hosted by Planoly and F.L.U.I.D., took place on July 12th, following a screening at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, marking a quarter-century since Jawbreaker first hit theaters and cemented its status as a cult classic.
“It was really cool to see it in such a big theater, on film, and the whole house was just fans of the movie,” Judy Greer exclusively shared with PEOPLE, highlighting the film’s lasting impact. The enduring appeal of Jawbreaker is something that still resonates with audiences today. “People say, ‘Why do you think this movie is so relevant still?’ And I’m like, I don’t totally know, but I know that people love it and still talk to me about it, and strangers are always quoting lines to me and wearing T-shirts with my face on it,” Greer added, reflecting on the movie’s continued cultural presence.
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Julie Benz offered insights into the bond that has strengthened between the cast members over the years. “I think you can see that we still have all maintained a friendship and support each other through the years in the business, which is a lot like high school,” Benz remarked. She noted the intensity of the filming experience, explaining, “It was a very tough shoot. And the politics of high school kind of filtered down through the cast, as they often do when you’re playing high school students.” This shared experience, however challenging, seems to have forged a lasting connection between the actresses.
Benz specifically credited Rebecca Gayheart for fostering a sense of unity among the cast during the production. “Rebecca really was the heart of the cast. She kind of kept us all together,” Benz stated. This camaraderie is evident in their continued reunions and warm interactions, as Benz further elaborated, “Whenever I see Rebecca and Judy and [film director] Darren Stein, it’s like no time has passed. We just pick right up.” Their easygoing rapport after so many years speaks volumes about the genuine relationships formed during the making of Jawbreaker.
Jawbreaker, for those unfamiliar, is a dark comedy that revolves around a popular high school clique whose prank takes a deadly turn, resulting in accidental manslaughter. Alongside Julie Benz, Judy Greer, and Rebecca Gayheart, the film also featured Rose McGowan and Pam Grier, contributing to its ensemble cast of memorable characters. Greer, reflecting on her early career experience with Jawbreaker, shared, “I just was so excited to be in a movie and I didn’t know anything.” At the time, she was still working as a bartender and was admittedly in awe of her co-stars’ experience. “They were all stars to me and I was really nervous and didn’t know if I was going to be able to do it because I’d really only done two movies and I was trained to be a theater actress.”
Benz echoed Greer’s sentiments about the cast dynamics, recalling, “Rose and Rebecca were the big stars. I was a working actress, and Judy was fresh out of theater school.” She fondly remembered Rose McGowan’s striking presence: “Rose was just so glamorous and she was just like a spectacular creature in my mind…” and praised Rebecca Gayheart’s demeanor: “and then Rebecca is just stunningly beautiful, and just so kind and so sweet.”
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Drawing inspiration from their candy-colored Jawbreaker characters, the actresses embraced vibrant ensembles for the anniversary event. Julie Benz mentioned that she encouraged coordination among the cast this time, a stark contrast to their original premiere experience. The reunion was hosted by Planoly, a social media management platform catering to creators, and F.L.U.I.D., a film fund and production studio focused on LGBTQIA+ stories, adding a contemporary and inclusive dimension to the celebration.
Benz explained the change in approach to their reunion attire compared to the 1999 premiere. “None of us talked about what we were wearing to the premiere. You had to gatekeep all that stuff,” she revealed. “You were told not to share that information, but now we’re in a different era. For tonight, we were all sending pictures, because I didn’t want us all showing up in black. How boring is that? This is Jawbreaker!” This desire for coordinated, colorful outfits perfectly captured the playful and bold spirit of Jawbreaker.
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The actresses also reminisced about keeping mementos from the Jawbreaker set. Greer admitted, “I had some clothes for a little while, but I don’t remember what happened to them,” but noted she still has a “Vylette” poster. Julie Benz shared her cherished keepsake: “I got to keep one outfit and it was the red, lacy, yellowy-orange top and skirt, and I think I wore that like 80 times until it fell apart. I loved that outfit.”
Adding a touch of personal connection to the anniversary event, Benz revealed her dedication to her Jawbreaker role, particularly her character’s signature necklace. “I had one made for tonight,” she said, referring to a “Foxy” necklace, despite a past skin irritation from the original prop. “But that necklace and my skin didn’t like each other. I developed a big rash from it.” This anecdote underscores Julie Benz’s enduring fondness for Jawbreaker and her character, Foxy, even 25 years later. The reunion served not just as a celebration of the film’s anniversary, but also as a testament to the lasting bonds forged between the cast and the movie’s continued resonance with audiences.
