How Chloë Grace Moretz Connects 'Emotionally' to 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' Role

Actress Chloë Grace Moretz gives a convincing performance as the young lesbian protagonist of Sundance favorite The Miseducation of Cameron Post.

Directed by Desiree Akhavan, this 1990s coming of age flick follows Cameron Post (Moretz) after she's caught by her boyfriend having sex with her high school's prom queen. Her aunt subsequently pulled her out of school and sent her to a gay conversion camp called God's Promise. The gay conversion therapy narrative has been previously explored in movies, including the more comical But I'm a Cheerleader. Boy Erased, which stars Lucas Hedges and is slated for release in November, takes a more dramatic approach to the topic. Moretz has criticized what she considers its Hollywood treatment compared with that of her own film. "You look at the other movie...it's written and directed by a white man, it's shot through a straight male gaze," she told Teen Vogue. "You just look at the discrepancy and that's shocking."

There's a freshness and relatable factor present in Cameron Post, thanks to Moretz's acting and the movie's ability to balance serious subject matter with comedic moments.

At 21, Moretz is arguably a Hollywood veteran. She made her theatrical debut at 8 years old in 2003's Heart of the Beholder, but she's accumulated more than 60 film and television credits to date. Beyond her starring roles in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and Carrie, the young actress has tried to choose her upcoming roles with a more selective eye. She took roughly a year and a half off from acting to reflect upon her career and where she wants it to move next. Her titular role in Cameron Post marks the start of this new era.

"I had always been an inherent advocate of the LGBTQ community since I was a little girl when my brothers came out," Moretz told Newsweek. "Not only did this movie really hit me emotionally, I thought it adequately depicted young, gay relationships. It was a beautiful depiction of gay people meeting other gay kids for the very first time.... It really ticked every box for me."

The film's themes fit seamlessly within today's political climate. Moretz pointed out the movie's relevancy, saying: "Mike Pence, the vice president, not only believes in conversion therapy but he's a mass advocate for conversion therapy....That harrowing fact shows the severity of the issue."

Cameron Post, which cost less than $1 million, was made in 23 days. Before shooting the project, Moretz and Akhavan met with survivors of conversion therapy. The Brain on Fire actress, who said this interaction was "very important," and that the survivors granted them permission to bring their stories into the film. These aspects alone helped to create a final product that Moretz called "organic."

"It's a queer movie [made] by queer people for queer people," Moretz explained. "Yes, there's a latent sadness to conversion therapy camp, but it [the film] focuses on the beauty and the intricacies of meeting other gay kids like yourself for the first time and what that looks like."

Moretz, expectedly, has a busy schedule aside from Cameron Post. She's slated to star in Suspira, a remake of the 1977 horror thriller, alongside Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton in November. She's signed on to star with Isabelle Huppert in The Widow as well. In June, it was announced Moretz would voice Wednesday Addams in an animated version of The Addams Family. She's also working on producing a reality docu-series for MTV called Coming Out, which will follow young people coming out to people who are important in their lives.

Moretz has had misfires in the past, including Kick-Ass 2 and the never-to-be-seen I Love You, Daddy. Taking some time off has allowed her to find projects like Cameron Post, which are roles that ultimately speak to her core.

"I really am taking stock in where I am right now, and really taking my time to choose my next roles very carefully and make sure they connect to who I am," Moretz explained. "What's really exciting for me is that I'm moving into this area of my life where I'm starting to produce and direct and become more of a creator."

The Miseducation of Cameron Post opened in New York City on Friday, and it will hit more cities August 10.