“The film touches on the less pretty side of London life, yet it has so much warmth”: Taz Skylar, Stephen Odubola and Mae Muller on Gassed Up

Gassed Up is the high-octane new drama that takes as its setting London’s crime underbelly, and the youths sucked into its dark side via an illusion of glamour and wealth. Helmed by documentary maker George Amponsah in his feature directorial debut, the movie digs beyond the headlines, where phones being nicked by young kids on mopeds became daily news in the UK capital, to tell the story of how such petty crimes end up being committed. The narrative hinges around Ash, played by Blue Story‘s Stephen Odubola, and it’s through his eyes we see how a world of easy cash, social media boasting and a way to support his mum in need of rehab, quickly descends into a nightmare, leaving him thigh deep in a moral quagmire. There’s a fantastic chemistry between the young cast, each character being shown to have their own motivations and context to navigate, with One Piece‘s Taz Skyler both on co-writing and co-starring duties. At once an adrenaline-fuelled dive into today’s London youth culture, a stark warning to where wrong decisions can lead you and a wake-up call that more needs to be done to support the next generation to avoid such tough life choices, it’s certainly a thrilling and thought-provoking ride. 

The Upcoming had the chance to chat to stars Skylar, Odubola and Muller who shared reflections on the movie’s themes, relatable to many youths, such as friendship and loyalty. Skylar, also the co-writer, told us how he aimed to humanise the characters involved in moped culture, a topic not widely represented on screen. The actors related personally to their roles, highlighting the struggles and motivations behind their characters’ actions. They shared challenges faced during shooting, particularly night scenes, and emphasised the film’s intent to shed light on the societal system’s impact on individual choices.

Sarah Bradbury

Gassed Up is released nationwide on 9^th February 2024.

Watch the trailer for Gassed Up here: