Q&A with Danielle Panabaker, star of the psycho thriller ‘Girls Against Boys’

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Danielle Panabaker stars in the psychological thriller 'Girls Against Boys'
photo by John Romano for Anchor Bay Films

In the psychological thriller, “Girls Against Boys,” written and directed by Austin Chick, Shae (Danielle Panabaker) is a naïve college student whose heart gets stomped on by a married jerk (Andrew Howard). After a few more horrid experiences Shae is one hot mess. She is fragile and mad; enter Lu (Nicole LaLiberte), her friendly-yet-psychotic coworker. Lu promises to help Shae regain control of her life.
These two actresses are so beautiful it almost hurts to look at them. Their creamy young skin, perfect features and oodles of talent puts them in a category most of us can only daydream about. Panabaker can communicate a kaleidoscope of emotions within her eyes. This movie might’ve looked campy had these wonderful up-and-coming actresses not been in it.

Comparisons could be made with the 1999 film, “Girl, Interrupted.” Shae is the fragile and lost lamb like Winona Rider’s character and Lu is the seductive, exciting, and clear out of her head role that won Angelina Jolie an Oscar. In ‘Girls Against Boys’ Liam Aiken plays the sweet nerdy kid in class who is hopelessly moony-eyed for Danielle. The revenge is sweet while the violence boosts your adrenalin. If you’re fond of this bordering-on-horror thriller genre, this flick is definitely for you.
Yesterday Danielle Panabaker agreed to an interview with Examiner Dorri Olds.
Dorri Olds: Did you enjoy working on “Girls Against Boys?
Danielle Panabaker: Yeah! It was a really fun movie and I’m very proud to have been a part of this film.
Did you and Nicole LaLiberte click onset?
She’s amazing. I really loved all of the people involved and felt just sky high with the cast.
What intrigued you most about the story?
That it had a fantasy element to it. The script leaves questions about whether the Lu character is even real or just part of Shae’s imagination. It’s as if Shae fell down the rabbit hole.
When did you know you wanted to be an actress?
To be totally honest I just fell into it. When we lived in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, my sister and I did a local play. My whole family got involved. My mom did the makeup. My sister and I were being homeschooled and my parents wanted us to be socialized. We had a lot of fun with the other kids hanging out backstage.
What are some of your other projects?
I’ve done a handful of great roles. “Empire Falls” changed my life. “Friday the 13th” was so much fun — just a blast. I’ve done a few “Bones” episodes; my next one will be in the middle of February. I’ve also done “Necessary Roughness.” That show is all about football, which is great because I love football. My character is the football team owner.
You don’t look like a typical football owner.
[Laughs] Oh I know. In the show, my character’s dad dies and leaves her the football team. It’s like other USA shows. It’s a drama but with a lot of levity and humor. The other actors on the show are amazing and really fun to watch. I work a lot and I know I’ve been very fortunate.
Psychological Thriller and Horror. Rated R (violence and some gore). 97 minutes. Opens Friday, February 1, 2013 at the Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street.