Kylee Levien shines in acclaimed sci-fi drama Roswell Delirium
LOS ANGELES, CA – Rising star Kylee Levien is captivating audiences and critics alike with her breakout role as Mayday Malone in the dark sci-fi feature Roswell Delirium (dir. Richard Bakewell). Released January 2025, the film has already achieved cult momentum, pairing a chilling alternate-1980s America with deeply human performances.
Roswell Delirium follows Mayday, a quiet yet resilient teen separated from her family after a nuclear missile attack, who must navigate a collapsing world riddled with radiation sickness, paranoia, and strange phenomena. The ensemble includes Anthony Michael Hall, Dee Wallace, Reginald VelJohnson, and Sam J. Jones—icons of 1980s cinema reimagined for a new generation.
Levien’s turn has already earned nine “Best Actress” awards on the festival circuit, positioning her as one of 2025’s most-watched breakout talents.
“I felt like the role of Mayday was a tiny bit of a reflection of myself: quiet, complex, resilient and yet, discovering who I am while the world spins around me.” — Kylee Levien
Embodying Mayday in a poisoned America
Levien prepared for Mayday’s journey by pairing raw instinct with Bakewell’s vision:
“I depended on my emotional instincts but also working collaboratively with director Richard Bakewell, we shaped who Mayday was and I trusted his vision in the process.”
The film’s exploration of illness struck her most:
See what lies beneath
“The depiction of illness—centered around both physical decline and vulnerability—was deeply moving for me. The weight of watching my body fail was both physically and emotionally intense.”
A career-defining role
Levien calls the nine awards “an honor, but also a responsibility”:
“I was so honored to receive recognition for my work and at such a young age because they reflect powerful storytelling and the emotional risks I took. That being said, I continue to explore ways to be a better human and stay humble because I feel that is the most important.”
Surrounded by legends
The cast reads like a who’s who of cult film nostalgia. Levien treated the experience as an acting bootcamp:
“Every film gives us opportunities to learn and be mentored. On Roswell Delirium, I had such amazing talent surround me and I just tried to soak in their acting styles and preparation skills. I got a lot of great advice too!”
The scene that broke her
The final jail sequence became Levien’s most unforgettable:
“It required me to balance two intense emotional layers—reflecting on Ashton Solecki’s deep connection, while also being fully present in a powerful, intimate moment with my mother, Arielle Bodenhausen.”
Bakewell’s directing style was key:
Find your moment
“He never calls ‘action,’ rather he says, ‘when you’re ready,’ and on a deeply profound movie like this, that’s exactly what was needed.”
Neon binge prep
To embody the alternate ’80s, Levien did her homework:
“Oh yeah, I basically binged ‘80s stuff like it was TikTok—except with way more neon and questionable fashion choices.”
Building resilience from loss
Mayday’s separation from her family required Levien to mine her own grief:
“Since I had never experienced that kind of trauma, I thought about the loss of my grandma and that played a huge part in my emotions.”
Comparing the journey
Levien’s résumé includes Her Secret Family Killer (Lifetime), Outer Range (Amazon), and Warner Bros.’ live musical The Polar Express. She also doubled as a stunt performer in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon.
“In Roswell Delirium, I played the lead, which was such a challenge because the character had so many emotional layers. It reminded me of Outer Range, where I had to lay the foundation for who the main character would become.”
Sci-fi grounded in truth
Even surrounded by radiation clouds and conspiracies, Levien kept Mayday human:
“I focused on Mayday’s emotions—her fear, hope, and pain—rather than the sci-fi aspect. By grounding her in real trauma and resilience, the story felt authentic.”
The humanity underneath
Asked what she hopes audiences take away:
“I hope people walk away from Roswell Delirium feeling like they’ve seen more than just a sci-fi story—I hope they see the humanity underneath it. If even one person walks out of the film feeling understood—or feeling a little less alone in their own struggles—then that means everything to me.”
Looking forward
Levien is already booked solid—two holiday features (A Chrismystery and CATnip) drop later this year.
“It’s so much fun because with every job, I get to bring a different personality to work. Changing things up keeps me growing.”
She cites Robert Downey Jr. as dropping her best career advice:
Embrace the unknown now
“‘Just keep going.’ Honestly, in this biz, you get judged, miss out on parts, and feel bummed out a lot. But if you can retrain your brain to just keep pushing forward, suddenly it doesn’t feel so tough.”
And as for dream roles?
“I would LOVE to be in an action-drama film! Like Mission Impossible meets 10 Things I Hate About You—intense stunts mixed with all the feels.”
🎥 Watch the trailer: Roswell Delirium (YouTube)
Kylee Levien has officially arrived—and Mayday Malone may be the role that launches her into stardom.
