‘SPIN ME ROUND’ filmmaker bakes complex thoughts about modern social age into mystery romance

Preston Barta // Features Editor

Jeff Baena’s latest, Spin Me Round, which he co-wrote with star Alison Brie, pokes fun at today’s way of life through a mystery/romance. 

The story centers on a group of managers from an American fast-casual restaurant chain (including Brie, Molly Shannon, Zach Woods, Tim Heidecker, Ayden Mayeri, Debby Ryan and Zach Woods) getting a crash course in the culinary arts in Italy. However mundane as these training exercises may seem, some head-turning activities accompany them, causing speculation to run wild among the visiting executives. What’s genuine, and just what is really going on?

Fresh Fiction film critic Preston Barta recently had the opportunity to virtually sit down with Spin Me Round filmmaker Baena (The Little Hours, Life After Beth) to discuss how he challenges viewers’ thinking and comfort levels with his work. Watch our video interview below, where we also talk about how some artists lead with their gut instead of getting mathematical with their creations. And catch the IFC Films release in theaters, on video-on-demand or AMC+ today.

Director Q&A