It is the edge of horror, dark, twisted, and often laced with irony, that continues to pull audiences in the most. Unfolding yet another striking entry into the 2026 slate, Forbidden Fruits, led by Lili Reinhart, has already begun turning heads for its campy style. But beyond the stylised chaos and sardonic humour, it is Reinhart’s recent revelation about the toxic set she experienced with a male director, that is now quietly making its way across headlines.

Before landing into the promotional period of Forbidden Fruits, Miss Lili Reinhart seems to have bitten into one that talks back.

While promoting Forbidden Fruits, Lili Reinhart recalled a toxic on-set moment during a conversation with her co-stars Victoria Pedretti, Alexandra Shipp, and Lola Tung, when asked about one acting note she took personally. Without hesitation, she reflected on a male director stepping in and quietly asking her to suck in her stomach a little, a moment that clearly stayed with her. However, she chose not to reveal his name, teasing her co-stars to wait as they pressed her further.

 “When I had a male director come up to me and silently lean over and go, ‘Just suck in your stomach a little bit." Reinhart in the Cosmopolitan video.

Meanwhile, Reinhart also reflected on a contrasting experience during her appearance at Deadline’s SXSW Studio last month, where she spoke about feeling truly empowered on a female-centric set. She further noted that the creative choices, including her character’s styling, felt intentional and self-driven, not shaped by the male gaze but rooted in personal expression that carried its own quiet authority.

“For Apple, it’s a lot of black and tight, but it’s not for the male gaze. It’s for herself. And I think you can see the difference, “ Reinhart explained.

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While she continues to lead with quiet strength off-screen, here is a glimpse into her on-screen cult leader persona that has been turning heads.

Premiering on March 16, 2026, at SXSW before its wider theatrical and digital release on March 27, Forbidden Fruits brings a stylised, witchy twist to horror-comedy, blending mall culture with cult dynamics. Set inside a Dallas shopping mall, the film follows a group of boutique employees who secretly run a coven beneath their store, turning a seemingly glossy retail space into something far darker, with the arrival of a new recruit slowly unravelling the group’s hidden truths.

Led by Lili Reinhart as the commanding Apple, the film brings together a sharp ensemble including Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, and Alexandra Shipp, who have recently spoken about how horror tropes often carry their own built-in punchlines. Directed by Meredith Alloway and produced by Diablo Cody, the project leans into a nostalgic yet edgy tone, positioning itself as a bold, genre-bending entry in 2026’s horror slate.

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What are your thoughts on Lili Reinhart speaking out about her on-set experience? Let us know in the comments.