The stars of the iconic 90s teen dark comedy Jawbreaker recently came together to celebrate a major milestone: the film’s 25th anniversary. Judy Greer, Julie Benz, and Rebecca Gayheart, the trio who brought the Plastics-esque drama to the silver screen, reunited on July 12th for a special celebration. The event, hosted by Planoly and F.L.U.I.D., followed a screening at the prestigious Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, marking a quarter-century since Jawbreaker first shocked and delighted audiences.
“Seeing it in such a grand theater, on film, with a house full of genuine fans was incredible,” Judy Greer shared exclusively with PEOPLE, reflecting on the enduring appeal of Jawbreaker. “People often ask me why this movie still resonates today. Honestly, I don’t have a definitive answer, but it’s clear that people adore it. They still quote lines to me, and I even see strangers wearing T-shirts with my character on them.” This enduring love for the film speaks volumes about its impact and lasting cultural footprint.
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Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, and Julie Benz in Jawbreaker. Columbia Tri-Star/Kobal/Shutterstock
Julie Benz, known for her captivating screen presence and roles in both film and television, highlighted the genuine bond that has persisted between the cast members. “It’s amazing to see that we’ve maintained a true friendship and continue to support each other, especially in this industry, which can often feel like high school,” Benz remarked, drawing a parallel between their on-screen roles and real-life dynamics. She elaborated on the intensity of the Jawbreaker shoot, noting, “It was a challenging filming experience. The typical high school social dynamics, the politics, they subtly mirrored themselves within the cast, which is common when you’re portraying high school students.”
Benz gave special credit to Rebecca Gayheart for fostering a sense of unity among the cast during the filming process. “Rebecca was truly the heart of our group,” Benz emphasized. “She was the glue that held us together. Whenever I reunite with Rebecca, Judy, and [director] Darren Stein, it’s as if no time has passed at all. We seamlessly pick up right where we left off.” This enduring camaraderie underscores the special connection forged during the making of this cult classic.
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Jawbreaker, for those unfamiliar, is a darkly comedic tale centered around a popular high school clique whose lives take a dramatic turn when a prank unintentionally leads to the death of their best friend. The film features memorable performances not only by Greer, Benz, and Gayheart, but also Rose McGowan and Pam Grier. Judy Greer fondly recalled her early career excitement upon landing the role. “I was just thrilled to be in a movie, completely naive about everything,” Greer admitted. At the time, she was still working as a bartender in Chicago and felt a sense of awe being surrounded by her more experienced co-stars. “They were all stars in my eyes, and I was genuinely nervous about keeping up because my background was primarily in theater, with only a couple of film roles under my belt.”
Julie Benz echoed Greer’s sentiments about the cast dynamics, stating, “Rose and Rebecca were undoubtedly the established stars. I considered myself a working actress, and Judy was the fresh face straight out of theater school.” Benz vividly described her impressions of her fellow actresses: “Rose was just pure glamour, a truly spectacular presence in my mind. And Rebecca was breathtakingly beautiful, and incredibly kind and sweet.” These contrasting personalities and experiences contributed to the unique chemistry of the Jawbreaker cast, both on and off screen.
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Judy Greer and Julie Benz in Jawbreaker (1999). TriStar/courtesy Everett
Mirroring their characters’ vibrant and bold fashion in Jawbreaker, the actresses arrived at the anniversary event in eye-catching, candy-colored outfits. The event itself was a collaboration between Planoly, a social media management platform tailored for creators, and F.L.U.I.D., a production studio and film fund dedicated to LGBTQIA+ stories. Julie Benz revealed that she had hoped for a coordinated wardrobe effort for the reunion, a stark contrast to their experience at the original Jawbreaker premiere.
“Back then, there was a real sense of secrecy around premiere outfits. It was gatekept information,” she explained. “You were actually discouraged from sharing those details. But thankfully, we’re in a different era now. For this event, we were all exchanging pictures beforehand because I really didn’t want us to all end up in black. How incredibly boring would that be? This is Jawbreaker, after all!” This desire for coordinated, vibrant outfits perfectly encapsulates the fun and flamboyant spirit of the film.
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Rebecca Gayheart, Judy Greer, and Julie Benz at the Jawbreaker premiere. Paul Smith/Featureflash/Shutterstock
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The actresses’ fondness for their Jawbreaker costumes extended beyond the screen; each of them managed to take home souvenirs from the set. “I had some of my character’s clothes for a while, but honestly, I can’t quite recall what happened to them,” Judy Greer confessed. “I did keep one of my ‘Vylette’ posters, and I believe it’s still tucked away in a box of work memorabilia.” Julie Benz had a more vivid recollection of her keepsake: “I was fortunate enough to keep a complete outfit – the red, lacy, yellowish-orange top and skirt. I absolutely adored that outfit and wore it countless times until it literally fell apart.”
Benz also revealed a particular accessory she wished she had kept, despite its on-set challenges: her iconic “Foxy” necklace. “I actually had one specially made for tonight’s reunion,” she shared. “Unfortunately, that original necklace and my skin didn’t get along at all. It gave me a terrible rash!” This anecdote adds a humorous and relatable touch to the behind-the-scenes memories of Jawbreaker, a film that continues to be celebrated and remembered 25 years later, not only for its dark humor and style but also for the enduring friendships it forged.
