Tribeca Film Festival 2026: ‘Turn It Up!’ Star Justine Nelson Talks Horror, Creative Ambition, and the Pursuit of Art

Justine Nelson stars in Turn It Up!, one of the most imaginative films to premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival. Directed and co-written by Sam Scott, the genre-bending feature follows a struggling indie rock band whose fortunes begin to change after they discover a mysterious guitar riff that opens a portal to another dimension. What follows is a wildly entertaining blend of horror, science fiction, comedy, and music that constantly keeps audiences on their toes.

Justine plays AC, the band’s frontwoman, whose desire to make it as an artist drives much of the film’s emotional core. While Turn It Up! embraces its eccentric characters, supernatural chaos, and anything-goes energy, it also explores the uncertainty, ambition, and sacrifices that often accompany the pursuit of a creative dream.

During the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, Pop Culturalist spoke with Justine about bringing AC to life, collaborating with filmmaker Sam Scott, building the band’s dynamic alongside her castmates, and the themes of artistic ambition that resonated with her throughout the project.

PC: The film uses genre in a fascinating way to explore the realities of being an artist and the lengths people will go to in pursuit of their craft. What was it about AC’s journey that spoke to you, and why do you think genre is such an effective lens through which to explore those themes?
Justine: Reading the script, it was hard not to see myself in AC. I immediately recognized where she was in her journey and could relate to that feeling of loving something so deeply while wondering if it will ever love you back. You pour endless hours into your craft, hoping someone will finally see you and hear you. The weight of that can push you to places you never expected and lead you to make choices that aren’t always in your best interest. For AC, it’s a cursed melody, but I think every artist has their own version of that.

I think horror is such an effective genre for exploring these themes because it allows us to externalize feelings that can be difficult to articulate. It gives us a way to show what those emotions feel like from the inside rather than simply describing them. Horror thrives on metaphor and imagination, transforming internal struggles into something tangible and visceral. In doing so, it can often reveal emotional truths in a way that feels even more immediate and honest than realism.

PC: When you find yourself playing a character whose worldview or decisions don’t necessarily align with your own, how do you go about finding the humanity in them? What was the key to unlocking AC and making her choices feel emotionally truthful?
Justine: I wouldn’t have made those choices myself, no, but I do understand the temptation. I think most artists have wrestled with some version of that question: how much are you willing to sacrifice in pursuit of the thing you love? Thankfully, I’ve never been pushed as far as AC, but I have a deep understanding of what it feels like to stand at the edge of that kind of desperation. Because of that, finding my way into her mindset came more naturally than I expected.

PC: In addition to your work as an actor, you’re also a writer. Has spending time on the other side of the page changed the way you evaluate a script or approach a character? Are there things you notice now about story, structure, or character development that you might not have paid as much attention to earlier in your career?
Justine: Absolutely. It’s given me a much more well-rounded understanding and appreciation. My gratitude for being handed a script has grown exponentially because I know all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into it.

PC: A big part of making a character like AC feel believable is convincing audiences of her connection to her craft. What did the preparation process look like when it came to learning the bass, and how did immersing yourself in that artistic practice help you better understand who AC is? Were there any lessons from that experience that you’ve carried with you into your own work as an actor and writer?
Justine: I was fortunate enough to have a month with the bass before filming. I had played a bit of guitar before, but the bass was a whole different beast. It was so exciting and really enjoyable, aside from the sore fingers.

Learning a new skill definitely helped me connect with AC because it was something completely outside of my own experience. At the same time, it gave me a way to distinguish myself from her. The bass felt like it belonged to AC; it was such an essential part of who she was. Every time I picked it up, it grounded me in the character and her world.

PC: Speaking of authenticity, you already had a relationship with Gwenlyn Cumyn and Xavier Lopez before making the film, and that familiarity really comes through in the band’s dynamic. How did that shared history and trust allow you to push one another creatively? And how did that experience compare to building that same chemistry with Jonathan Craig, who was joining the group from a different starting point?
Justine: Having an existing relationship with Gwen and Xavier definitely expedited the comfort level, and being comfortable with your scene partners is half the battle. Since we already trusted each other, we felt more at ease trying things and taking risks without fear of judgment.

With Jonathan, I got super lucky. We were like peas in a pod. It didn’t take long before we were two big kids running around on set and making each other laugh. At times, I’m sure the crew wished they could separate us like two kids acting up in class because of how much we made each other laugh. We very quickly built a level of trust that allowed us to play and experiment in our roles.

I don’t take for granted how lucky I was to have such a great relationship with all of them. It really made for a smooth working experience and helped create the sense of connection the band needed in order to feel believable.

PC: Working with a filmmaker who also co-wrote the material can create a unique creative dynamic. What was it about Sam’s approach as a storyteller and collaborator that gave you the confidence to take risks as a performer?
Justine: Working with Sam was such a privilege. The fact that he wrote the script meant he had answers to all my questions. He had created this world and knew it like the back of his hand. I felt very at ease knowing that if he said something was working, then it truly was working. He instilled a lot of confidence in me, and it helped me feel like I knew the character in the same way he did.

At the same time, he really trusted my instincts and gave me space to explore her in my own way. That balance was incredibly freeing as a performer.

What stood out most to me was his calm demeanor. Even if there was a lot going on internally, externally he stayed cool as a cucumber, which put us actors at ease and created a really safe, focused environment to work in. And he was just an overall delight to be around.

PC: This is such an out-of-the-box and creative project. Looking back on the experience, is there a particular scene you’re most excited for Tribeca audiences to see, either because it challenged you as a performer or because it captures what makes the film so unique?
Justine: I would have to say I’m most excited for everyone to see the hilarity that is Berg, Miss V, and the Secret Agents. One of the most enjoyable parts of getting to be in this movie was watching those actors deliver such hilarious performances. I can’t tell you how many takes had me trying to hold in my laughter just out of frame. Getting a front-row seat to watch them do what they do best was one of the biggest highlights of the experience for me.

To keep up with Justine, follow her on Instagram. Turn It Up! is currently screening at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Photo Credit: Xana Mills