Melanie Lynskey found herself confronting a significant fear while filming the new Netflix movie, "Don't Say Good Luck." The most challenging scene, she revealed, involved singing Katy Perry's "Firework" in a public parking lot.
"I'm petrified of singing," Lynskey confessed in an interview with Decider. While she enjoys karaoke, she describes herself as "the Simon Cowell of karaoke," preferring to direct others rather than perform herself.
In "Don't Say Good Luck," Lynskey plays Elizabeth, a mother grappling with a worsening cancer diagnosis while maintaining a brave face for her daughter, Sophie, portrayed by Sunny Sandler, Adam Sandler's youngest daughter. The film was directed by Julia Hart and written by Hart, Jordan Horowitz, and Laura Hankin. Hankin's personal experience of being cast in her high school musical while her mother battled terminal cancer served as inspiration for the story.
Lynskey, a mother herself, was drawn to Elizabeth's "pure maternal love." She developed an easy rapport with Sunny Sandler on screen. "She came in, and she was so disarming, sweet and such a genuine teenager," Lynskey said of their first meeting. "She’s just raised well. They’re a good family, she’s a really good kid. She worked so hard."
Despite her fear, Lynskey managed the "Firework" scene with the help of a vocal coach. "The thought of being in a parking lot, belting out 'Firework,' was so difficult," she recalled. "Fiora got me to a place where I felt so comfortable." The presence of onlookers, some hoping to catch a glimpse of Adam Sandler, added to the pressure, but Lynskey found a way to push through, focusing on the character's emotional truth rather than vocal perfection.
Lynskey also spoke about her comfort with her American accent, which she has honed over years of living in the U.S., though she retains her native New Zealand accent. She found filming a scene with Southern accents alongside Sunny Sandler to be a fun experience, noting how easy her co-star made it.
Reflecting on her character's decision to hide her illness from her daughter, Lynskey acknowledged the protective maternal instinct but found it difficult to fully relate, as she and her husband are open with their own daughter. "You do want to shield your kids. I understood it, even though I don’t know if that would be exactly what I would do," she stated.
Motherhood has profoundly impacted Lynskey, describing it as "the greatest thing I've ever done." She shared that having her daughter at 41 gave her a unique perspective, deepening her appreciation for specific, unique qualities in her child.
Lynskey praised Adam Sandler's role as a producer, noting his ability to be both hands-on and hands-off, allowing Sunny to lead her performance. She described the overall atmosphere on set as relaxed and easy, attributing the loyalty of those who work with the Happy Madison production company to the kindness and positive environment fostered by the Sandler family.
Lynskey recently wrapped filming on the fourth and final season of Showtime's "Yellowjackets." Her last day on set was emotional, filming a scene with co-star Warren Kole, who plays Jeff. "Everybody was clapping and cheering, and Warren and I were just sitting there, just staring at each other," she said. "It was very hard for us to process the fact that that was the last time."
The wrap was marked by speeches from crew members and creators, with many people, including Lynskey, in tears. She received a trophy from the crew that read "Best Person Ever." The experience of concluding the show, which has been a significant part of her life for nearly eight years, is something she is still processing.