Why Alison Brie Falls in Love with Husband Dave Franco 'All Over Again' When They Work Together

Eric Andersson
·3 min read
Allison Brie Rollout
Allison Brie Rollout

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Watching her "incredible" husband Dave Franco at work gives Alison Brie a sense of pride, she says in the new issue of PEOPLE.

"He's astonishing," says Brie, who has collaborated with Franco a handful of times: They acted together in 2017's The Little Hours and The Disaster Artist and he directed her in the 2020 thriller The Rental.

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, they also co-wrote the new romantic comedy Somebody I Used to Know, starring Brie and directed by Franco. When they finally were able to film it in 2021, Brie says it was a joy to see him behind the camera.

"I've always known that he is an incredibly kind, genuine, curious person, but seeing him in action as a director and the way that he collaborates with the crew, it makes me fall in love with him every time, all over again," she says. "I know it sounds so cheesy."

RELATED: Dave Franco and Alison Brie's Relationship Timeline

"He just really digs the collaboration element to filmmaking, and I think he brings out the best in everyone around him, and then lets them also do their thing and lets them shine and take ownership of every department," she continues. "And it becomes such a great vibe on set."

In the movie, Brie plays Ally, a big-city reality TV show producer who returns to her hometown in Washington where she runs into her ex-boyfriend Sean (Insecure's Jay Ellis). As she begins to feel a spark again, she learns he's engaged to be married to free-spirited Cassidy (Kiersey Clemons).

Though that premise may sound familiar, this is no retread of wholesome Hallmark fare. There's adult humor, pot-smoking, and a scene in which Brie's character streaks on a golf course. "We have fun playing with rom-com tropes and try to take them someplace unexpected," explains Brie.

She and Franco were inspired by a pre-pandemic trip home to visit her husband's family in his native Palo Alto, California. "That was when we birthed the idea. We sort of just tossed around ideas about being back in your hometown and also about the one that got away and people's amnesia when it comes to relationships and breakups and why those things happen," she says.

Then when the pandemic hit a few months later, they got to work. "We really hunkered down in the first two weeks," she says. They knocked out a draft, but it was, Brie admits, "s----y."

After many months, several rewrites and plenty of feedback from friends ("with everybody quarantining, they didn't have excuses why they couldn't read it," says Brie) the couple perfected the delightfully cheeky movie.

They are already in the middle of writing their next project together. "I'm really fulfilled by the work that I'm doing," she says. "I'm really happy in my marriage. This is a great moment in my life."

Somebody I Used to Know launches globally on Prime Feb. 10.

For more on Alison Brie, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • 25 of the very best hostess gifts that'll guarantee you an invite back

    Bring one of these finds from Nordstrom, Anthropologie or Amazon to your next soirée.

  • Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton can be disciplined for suit to overturn 2020 election, court says

    AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas appeals court has ruled that Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton can face discipline from the state bar association over his failed effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. A disciplinary committee of the State Bar of Texas accused Paxton in 2022 of making false claims of fraud in a lawsuit that questioned President Joe Biden's victory. On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeals said Paxton can be sanctioned by the committee be

  • Maya Le Tissier signs new deal with Manchester United

    The England defender has signed a contract extension.

  • Taxes 2024: With the deadline approaching, be aware of these tax changes

    Understanding this year's tax changes will help ensure Canadians make the most of their returns.

  • Netflix 'Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver': Zack Snyder on 'outrageous' critical response to films

    Zack Snyder has legion of supporters, but just as many harsh critics for Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver on Netflix.

  • Intermittent fasting is ‘nothing magical’, research shows

    Fashionable intermittent fasting diets are no better than standard calorie cutting for shedding the pounds, scientists have found.

  • Alberta municipalities, farmers agree to cut water use as drought persists

    Municipalities and irrigation districts in the western Canadian province of Alberta have agreed to use less water this summer to combat a severe ongoing drought, the provincial government said on Friday. Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz said water license holders had signed news memorandums of understanding covering four river basins in the southern half of the province. Alberta, which produces most of Canada's oil, natural gas and beef, plus big wheat and canola harvests, opened water-sharing negotiations among licence-holders for the first time in two decades as it entered its fourth year of drought this year.

  • NHL PLAYOFFS: 'It's wide open' is the theme as the race to the Stanley Cup begins

    General manager Don Waddell likes how his Carolina Hurricanes finished the season, winning 16 of their final 21 games. He knows it means nothing now. “Your points get erased and you all start with zeros,” Waddell said. “Playoffs are a different time. That’s what’s great about the NHL. Once you get to the playoffs, it’s wide open.” This year more than many in the recent past. Unlike last year, when Boston broke league records for the most wins and points in a season, there is no clear favorite to

  • Here’s Why Apple (AAPL) is in Contributor’s List of Polen Capital

    Polen Capital, an investment management company, released its “Polen Global Growth Strategy” first-quarter 2024 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the first quarter, the fund increased 8.10% gross and 7.81% net, respectively, trailing the MSCI ACW Index’s 8.20% return. The market dynamics that were in place at the end […]

  • This new Cincinnati restaurant has a chef's table, smoked drinks & picture-worthy desserts

    This new Cincinnati restaurant has a chef's table, smoked drinks & picture-worthy desserts

  • Swede Caroline review: this mockumentary about competitive veg growing is painfully unfunny

    2/5 A film that’s supposed to look amateurish also feels amateurish in its execution

  • Butler Hall Capital urges Vanda to engage in sales discussions

    On April 17, Vanda rejected a takeover proposal from Future Pak and adopted a shareholder rights plan to reduce the likelihood of a hostile takeover. Vanda had said Future Pak, a privately held contract manufacturer and packager of pharmaceutical products, had made an offer of $7.25 to $7.75 per share in cash, which significantly undervalued the company and was not in the shareholders' best interest.

  • Extremist Israeli settlers hit by EU and US sanctions

    Far-right group Lehava and several individuals accused of violence targeted in dual announcements

  • September Fed cut will help ease mortgage rates: Economist

    Thirty-year mortgage rates have hit above 7% with some experts believing it could hit 8% pretty soon. With US housing pricing and demand remaining high while supply remains low, it seems hopeless for many potential homebuyers. Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni joins Wealth! to give insight into the housing market and why home buyers should have a little hope on the horizon as he believes mortgage rates will gradually decline. Fratantoni explains that he feels confident the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year, which will trickle down into the rest of the economy: "Mortgage rates, which I'll call it 7.25 [percent], in the most recent data, we think will be down to about 6.5 [percent] by the end of the year. It really is going to be reflecting a gradual slowdown in the strength of the economy and we expect the unemployment rate is going to rise not very much. We know they are calling for a recession but we do think there is going to be enough of a slowdown that the Fed should feel comfortable cutting rates by September of this year." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Wealth! This post was written by Nicholas Jacobino

  • Potential jurors express anxiety about deciding Trump hush money case as jury selection nears close

    NEW YORK (AP) — Potential jurors expressed anxiety Friday about deciding Donald Trump’s hush money case, with one woman breaking down in tears, as lawyers worked to round out the panel that will hear the first-ever trial of a former U.S. president. After a jury of 12 New Yorkers was seated Thursday, lawyers turned their attention to picking alternates who can vow to impartially judge the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Two more alternates were chosen Friday, with four others still n

  • The Netherlands gifts 100,000 tulips to the Ukrainian city of Lviv

    Flower therapy is flourishing in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, after the Netherlands gifted 100,000 tulip bulbs. The local council is hoping the flowers will be a comfort to residents coping with the continuing war.

  • Stabbed Iranian journalist was attacked by eastern European mercenaries, investigators believe

    Three men who attacked an Iranian journalist outside his London home were mercenaries from eastern Europe hired by Tehran, investigators believe.

  • Anti-Semitic hate is surging. It’s time to take a stand

    Many records were broken in 2023. The World Health Organisation celebrated a landmark year for disease elimination. Advancements in artificial intelligence now empower us to do anything from writing a Beatles-inspired song to identifying individuals at high risk of pancreatic cancer. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift made music history by simultaneously charting 10 albums on the US Billboard 200, and Prince Harry’s memoir, “Spare” secured the title of the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever.

  • Canadian influencer Sarah DeMelo says 'cancer really does change your life' as she marks 1 year since diagnosis

    A year after her cancer diagnosis, Sarah DeMelo has a "whole new outlook" on life, she says.

  • Jets GM Joe Douglas calls QB Zach Wilson an 'asset.' But the team remains open to trading him

    FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Zach Wilson remains a member of the New York Jets. For now, at least. General manager Joe Douglas was non-committal on the future of the quarterback, who received permission by the Jets during the offseason to seek a trade after a disappointing three years since being the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft. “Zach is an asset and at that same time we’re obviously open to trading Zach,” Douglas said Thursday during his annual predraft news conference. “There have been di