Actors Chris Gray, Luke Slattery, and Sam Strike discuss starring in the film “Westhampton,” which was written and directed by Christian Nilsson.
“Westhampton” had its world premiere on Saturday, June 7th at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. It stars Finn Wittrock (who also served as an executive producer), as well as RJ Mitte, Amy Forsyth, and Jake Weary, among others.
Gray is known for his portrayal of movie Dickie, while Sam Strike plays Jay, and Slattery portrays movie Tom.
Chris Gray
On being at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, Gray said, “It feels amazing to be here. It is so exciting, especially to celebrate this film. I have been so inspired by Christian, so to be at Tribeca Film Festival for the world premiere of this feature is just awesome.”
On the lessons learned from this movie, Gray shared, “Honestly, it taught me that it is possible to make independent films and it’s possible to scrape together a story that is incredibly meaningful without a lot of the glitz and the glamour, and just the pure will.”
“Christian’s ability to make this happen, for a story that he has wanted to make happen for so long, is just incredible,” Gray noted.
On filming the movie on Long Island, Gray said, “It was cool, especially to film it in Christian’s hometown. It was great to be here with my buddy Luke Slattery and Eric Tabach, who helped produce it. We were all hanging out and we just had a blast.”
Luke Slattery
“It feels great to be here. In my opinion, Village East by Angelika is the most beautiful theater in New York City. I went to Tribeca once eight years ago, and I didn’t know if I would be back but just to be back for ‘Westhampton’ and be a part of Christian’s story is amazing.”
“Christian exuded a great deal of patience, grit, inner strength, and heart to get this film across the finish line over the past eight years,” Slattery acknowledged. “Now, that this all has happened is just incredible.”
For fans and viewers, Slattery expressed, “The one thing that I want people to get out of it is that in order to make amends with the people in your life that you need to find peace with, there is no substitute for saying ‘I’m sorry’ in person.”
Sam Strike
On being a part of the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, Strike said, “It’s fantastic… like really, really cool. Just being able to see the Tribeca logo with ‘Westhampton’ on the banner is incredible.”
Strike discussed his connection to Long Island, where the movie was filmed. “My wife is from Stony Brook,” he admitted. “I came to visit here a few years ago, and I said ‘let’s stay here because it’s fantastic’.”
On the lessons learned from this screenplay, he shared, “As an actor, you leave your hometown and try to make your way in the industry, and then you come back, and it’s interesting.”
“Some places don’t change but you feel like you’ve changed, so it’s interesting,” he admitted.
Strike concluded about the film, “You need to confront the things that make you nervous or uncomfortable; that’s the one thing I want people to get out of this movie.”
Read More: “Westhampton” review.
