Blake Lively’s Bizarre Childhood Movie Memory: The Bad Seed Had Her Running to the Bathroom!

Movies have the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy and excitement to fear and anxiety. But for Blake Lively, one classic thriller from her childhood had a much more physical effect — it made her feel sick to her stomach.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lively, best known for her roles in Gossip Girl and A Simple Favor, joined her Another Simple Favor co-star Anna Kendrick and writer-director Paul Feig to share their top murder mystery film picks. During the conversation, Lively recalled a childhood experience that made her realize how deeply a film could affect her.

“My mom loves old, scary movies,” Lively explained. “So when I was little, she would play The Bad Seed. I thought I would get the stomach flu after because I would throw up, but I was just so psychologically disturbed.”

The 1956 film The Bad Seed, starring Patty McCormack as the seemingly sweet but deeply sinister Rhoda Penmark, left an indelible mark on Lively. The film, which tells the story of an eight-year-old girl who will go to any length, including murder, to get what she wants, was more than just a source of childhood fear for Lively — it was a psychological experience so intense that it made her physically ill.

Despite the unsettling impact it had on her, Lively’s love for classic films remained strong. She chose other mystery thrillers from the golden era of cinema for her list, including the 1944 film Laura, which stars Gene Tierney as a mysterious woman caught in a complex web of intrigue. “No matter how many times I watch it, I can never remember who did it,” Lively said, praising the film’s captivating and complex narrative structure.

Lively’s candid reflection on The Bad Seed is a glimpse into how powerful films can be, particularly those that delve into the darker recesses of the human psyche. She admitted that while the film may not strictly fall into the “murder mystery” genre, it still remains a classic in the thriller genre due to its psychological depth and chilling story.

In addition to Lively’s picks, Paul Feig, the director behind Another Simple Favor, shared his top choices, which included Rear Window (1954) by Alfred Hitchcock, a masterpiece that influenced much of Another Simple Favor. Feig also recommended The Conversation by Francis Ford Coppola and the more recent Bodies Bodies Bodies, a film that blends contemporary horror and mystery. Feig noted that Another Simple Favor takes inspiration from Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, particularly in a scene where Kendrick’s character is framed for a murder, echoing a similar scenario from the 1959 classic.

Meanwhile, Anna Kendrick, known for her quirky yet captivating performances, chose two European films for her list: Gosford Park (2001) and 8 Women (2002), both of which are known for their intricate plots and multi-layered characters, cementing Kendrick’s love for mysteries that blend drama with suspense.

Lively, Kendrick, and Feig have clearly mastered the art of the murder mystery themselves, as their own film Another Simple Favor now joins the ranks of thrilling films that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. In Another Simple Favor, Lively’s character Emily and Kendrick’s Stephanie find themselves once again caught in a dangerous web of secrets and murder, making it a fitting addition to any murder mystery movie list.

For fans of suspenseful thrillers, Another Simple Favor is now streaming on Prime Video, offering a modern twist on the classic murder mystery genre.

Watch the full interview in the video above and stream Another Simple Favor now.