By Mashable | Created at 2026-06-19 09:09:59 | Updated at 2026-06-22 10:05:20
3 days ago
How does earnest melodrama and offbeat humor make Early's directorial debut a stunner?
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Kristy Puchko is the Entertainment Editor at Mashable. Based in New York City, she's an established film critic and entertainment reporter who has traveled the world on assignment, covered a variety of film festivals, co-hosted movie-focused podcasts, and interviewed a wide array of performers and filmmakers.
on June 19, 2026
On Mashable's Say More, hosts Kristy Puchko (Mashable's Entertainment Editor) and Mark Stetson (Senior Creative Producer) bring humor and their trusted insights to the biggest shows, films, digital trends, and cultural moments. From viral-worthy rants and passionate raves to smart recaps and first-look teasers, they cover what everyone is talking about. Celebrity guests join the conversation for real talk about their careers, upcoming projects, and what’s trending online.
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John Early and Kate Berlant have built their careers in comedy through scene-stealing appearances in movies and TV, as well as offbeat sketches of their own making, as seen in their joint special Would It Kill You to Laugh? Now they re-team for Maddie's Secret, a compelling comedy that Early wrote, directed, and headlined as the title character.
Inspired by earnest melodramas, Maddie's Secret centers on a foodie-focused content creator named Maddie Ralf (Early), whose sudden rise to frame has a traumatic impact on her mental and physical health. By her side is her lusty teddy bear of a husband (Eric Rahill) and her sultry bestie Deena (Berlant).
Out of the movie's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko cheered in her review, "Early and his company manage to be funny while never losing touch with the heart of this story," adding, "John Early is a better ingénue than Sydney Sweeney."
So, when Early and Berlant sat down with Puchko in the Say More studio for an interview on all things Maddie's Secret, the trio not only dug into how the comedy duo defines their brand of humor, but also how Early approached performing a female orgasm onscreen, directed by himself.
For more from Mashable's interview with Early and Berlant — including whether they see themselves as a sexy baby or a monster on the hill — check out our YouTube channel.
Maddie's Secret is now playing in limited release.
Kristy Puchko is the Entertainment Editor at Mashable. Based in New York City, she's an established film critic and entertainment reporter who has traveled the world on assignment, covered a variety of film festivals, co-hosted movie-focused podcasts, and interviewed a wide array of performers and filmmakers.
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