From Horror to True Crime: Jennifer Love Hewitt Dives into New Genre
Known for her unforgettable performances in horror films, Jennifer Love Hewitt takes on a new kind of thrill–real crime. Her portrayal of a resilient heroine in the ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ series has graced her with the status of an ideal ‘final girl’. Presently, she’s diving into true crime narratives.
Hewitt, at 46, is not just the voice behind the chilling murder stories in the true crime docuseries ‘A Killer Among Friends’, but is also its executive producer. She confessed that her venture into this genre was met with surprising enthusiasm from people around her, who she discovered were quite taken by true crime.
Interestingly enough, Hewitt wouldn’t describe herself as a hardcore crime buff but she found herself drawn to the show. Her interest was piqued more by the exploration of humanity – the psychological and emotional aspects of crime.
Each installment of ‘A Killer Among Friends’ unravels a murder mystery, with the unexpected twist that the perpetrator is a known associate of the victim. This novel concept excited Hewitt, as she had never embarked on a project like this before.
Narrating such somber stories was a new challenge for Hewitt, and she relished it. She believes that life is about continuously stepping out of one’s comfort zone and trying new things. This project, however, did cause her some initial hesitation.
Known for her emotive performances onscreen, she found it demanding to convey emotions merely through the power of her voice. This narration was not just about giving voice to the stories but also about honoring the victims and their living loved ones.
Her endeavour was to strike a careful balance; staying true to the narratives, while ensuring she did not overshadow them. Ultimately, she wanted her voice to act as a platform allowing the stories to capture the audience wholeheartedly.
‘Can’t Hardly Wait’ famed actress, Hewitt is happily married to actor Brian Hallisay. The couple is blessed with three children; Autumn, 11; Atticus, 10; and Aidan, 3. A wholesome family life surrounds her professional engagement with dark narratives.
She expresses a fascination with the concept of trauma, especially the resilience demonstrated by individuals who go through it. She is captivated by their ability to keep moving forward, making a life beyond their traumatic experiences.
This series piqued her interest as it uncovers stories of young survivors, who have faced startling trials yet found the strength to continue living. These stories of perseverance and triumph in adversity are what make it truly compelling for her.
In addition to this venture, she recently reprised her role as Julie James, the tormented heroine in the latest reboot of ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’. The movie is now being screened in theaters, connecting with the audience once more.
A playful tease in the end-credits scene of the horror film hinted at the possibility of another sequel for the series. When asked about it, Hewitt confessed she has as much knowledge as any viewer does.
She honestly expressed her surprise and delight at being called back for this latest installment and doesn’t want to count her chickens before they hatch when it comes to further sequels.
But if a compelling narrative comes around again and the audience maintains their interest for the characters, she doesn’t rule out the opportunity to return to the franchise.
Hewitt’s move to real crime breaks her previously known mold, while she maintains her essence in interacting with the audience’s fears. This change of genre for Hewitt shows that no matter the context, her performances truly captivate her viewers.