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“Forbidden Fruits”: Lola Tung and Meredith Alloway Interview on NPR

Forbidden Fruits: A Deep Dive Into the 2026 Comedy Horror Hit The intersection of high fashion and the occult takes center stage in Forbidden Fruits, a 2026 American comedy horror film that blends satire with supernatural elements. Directed…

“Forbidden Fruits”: Lola Tung and Meredith Alloway Interview on NPR

Forbidden Fruits: A Deep Dive Into the 2026 Comedy Horror Hit

The intersection of high fashion and the occult takes center stage in Forbidden Fruits, a 2026 American comedy horror film that blends satire with supernatural elements. Directed by Meredith Alloway, the film explores the dark secrets hidden beneath the surface of glamorous retail culture, delivering a sharp critique wrapped in a horror aesthetic.

Plot: Glamour, Greed, and the Occult

Set in Dallas, Texas, the story centers on three glamorous saleswomen—Apple, Fig, and Cherry—who work at a clothing store called Free Eden. Even as they appear to be successful professionals, the trio spends their time scamming customers into spending thousands of dollars.

The dynamic shifts when they encounter Pumpkin, a new girl working in the food court. Although the trio is initially scornful of Pumpkin’s profession, they become intrigued by her. After an awkward interview, Pumpkin is invited to stay after hours, where the true nature of the group is revealed: Apple, Fig, and Cherry are members of a coven. The group conducts rituals in the store’s basement, where they forbid boyfriends and confess their sins to the spirit of Marilyn Monroe.

Cast and Creative Vision

The film features a high-profile ensemble cast that brings the quirky and sinister world of Free Eden to life. The movie stars:

  • Lola Tung
  • Lili Reinhart
  • Victoria Pedretti
  • Alexandra Shipp
  • Emma Chamberlain
  • Gabrielle Union

The project was directed by Meredith Alloway, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Lily Houghton. The narrative is based on Houghton’s stage play, Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die. The production was supported by producers Mason Novick, Diablo Cody, Trent Hubbard, and Mary Anne Waterhouse.

Technical Credits

To achieve its specific visual and auditory atmosphere, the film utilized a specialized creative team:

Technical Credits
  • Cinematography: Karim Hussain
  • Editing: Hanna Park
  • Music: Anna Drubich

Release and Commercial Performance

Forbidden Fruits made its world premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film & TV Festival on March 16, 2026. Shortly after, it was released in the United States on March 27, 2026, distributed by the Independent Film Company and Shudder.

With a running time of 103 minutes, the film has earned $2 million at the box office. The movie was produced by a collaboration between MXN Entertainment, Quadrant Motion Pictures, and Lollipop Woods.

Key Takeaways: Forbidden Fruits (2026)

Category Details
Genre Comedy Horror
Setting Dallas, Texas (Free Eden clothing store)
Director Meredith Alloway
Based On Stage play by Lily Houghton
Release Date March 27, 2026 (USA)
Box Office $2 million

As the trend of “elevated horror” continues to evolve, Forbidden Fruits stands as a notable example of how genre-bending cinema can use comedy and horror to examine social hierarchies and female dynamics.

About the author: Lila Roberts - Entertainment Editor

Eight‑year veteran, known for exclusive celebrity profiles and festival coverage (Cannes, TIFF, Sundance). Lila tracks streaming wars, box‑office trends, and music industry shifts. “Lila Roberts spotlights film, TV, and pop culture trends—bringing insider access and insightful critique.”