The Art of Becoming: Christian Convery on Curiosity, Craft, and The End of Oak Street

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Christian Convery isn't interested in standing still. Although his career has already taken him through an impressive range of films, genres, and collaborations, he speaks about acting with the mentality of someone still eager to discover what he doesn't know. Every role becomes another lesson, every set another classroom, and every collaboration another opportunity to refine his craft. Rather than viewing experience as something to accumulate, he sees it as something to learn from, which is a philosophy that has quietly shaped both his work and the trajectory of his career.

That sense of curiosity has become one of Convery's defining qualities. Whether preparing for a period piece, immersing himself in a psychologically driven thriller, or sharing the screen with actors he has long admired, his process begins with observation. He believes the best work comes from remaining open, listening closely, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you creatively. It's an outlook that has allowed him to continually expand his range while approaching each project with the same enthusiasm that first drew him to filmmaking.

His latest role as Brian Pratt in “The End of Oak Street” is perhaps his most ambitious to date. The film required Convery to balance the vulnerability of adolescence with the resilience of a young man forced into unimaginable circumstances. Working alongside Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, and Maisy Stella, he found himself not only delivering one of his most emotionally nuanced performances, but also learning firsthand from performers whose commitment to their craft left a lasting impression.

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Speaking with Convery, it's clear that accolades and career milestones are secondary to the work itself. His passion lies in telling stories that resonate long after the credits roll, collaborating with artists who inspire him, and continuing to evolve with every role he takes on. It's a perspective that feels refreshingly grounded in an industry often defined by constant momentum, and one that suggests his most compelling performances are still ahead.

Photobook Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with Christian Convery to discuss “The End of Oak Street,” finding authenticity in every performance, and why remaining endlessly curious has become the foundation of his career.

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You've built a successful career from such a young age. Looking back, what has been the most rewarding part of growing up in the entertainment industry?

Honestly, the most rewarding part has been turning what I love into a career. I feel like I've really set up my future and discovered what I want to do with my life. Growing up in this industry has given me a head start. My whole life has revolved around movies, and I'm incredibly fortunate to do what I love as both a career and a hobby; that's definitely been the most rewarding part.

Throughout your career, you've had the opportunity to take on a wide range of roles and experiences. How have they shaped you into the actor you are today?

Working on so many different projects with phenomenal actors and directors across a variety of genres has been the biggest learning experience for me. I've worked in drama, thriller, and horror, and every project teaches you something new.

I think it's incredibly important to keep an open mind, stay humble, and always be willing to learn. You should strive to be the person learning the most in the room because if you're the smartest person there, you're probably in the wrong room. Being open to absorbing knowledge and staying present with the filmmakers and actors around you has been essential. That mindset has allowed me to continue evolving my craft and refining my process. I'm incredibly grateful for every role I've had and for the talented people I've been fortunate enough to work with.

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You're playing Brian Pratt in “The End of Oak Street.” What was your preparation process like, and were there any new challenges that pushed you as an actor?

Since the film is set in the 1980s, that became a major part of my preparation. I wanted to make sure that if I improvised, I was using language that felt authentic to the time period. I also spent time learning about the props, the lifestyle, and the expectations within a family during that era. Understanding American culture in the 1980s was very important. I collaborated closely with David (director) to understand the tone we wanted for the film, whether it leaned more Spielberg-inspired or more horror-driven, and we found the right balance that defined the movie's overall feel. From there, I combined my preparation, Brian's backstory, David's vision, and my own research to authentically portray a teenager who's fighting for independence while trying to hide his vulnerability. Bringing all of those elements together really shaped my experience playing Brian.

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“The End of Oak Street” brings together a diverse and talented cast. What was the experience like working alongside such a unique group of actors?

I'm incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to work with such a talented cast. I worked with Anne Hathaway, who plays Denise Pratt, the emotional backbone of the family, and Ewan McGregor, who plays Brian Pratt, the father who's trying to hold his family together while struggling himself. I also worked with Maisy Stella, who plays my sister, and every member of the cast and crew taught me something valuable. This film challenged me and pushed me to continue growing as an actor. Watching performers like Anne and Ewan fully commit to their roles both physically and emotionally taught me so much. I was able to observe themes like vulnerability, survival, and adrenaline in real time, and I learned an incredible amount simply by being on set with them. Off camera, we really became like one big family, and I think that chemistry translated onto the screen. It was such a gift to work with people who were not only incredibly experienced but also generous, welcoming, and willing to share their knowledge or simply allow me to learn by observing. That experience helped me grow tremendously as an actor.

What do you hope audiences take away from “The End of Oak Street” after watching the film?

In my eyes, this is the perfect summer blockbuster. You'll grab some popcorn with your friends, laugh, scream, sit on the edge of your seat, and experience every emotion along the way. It's a perfect blend of family drama with characters you genuinely care about and an exciting, high-concept story involving dinosaurs, cosmic events, and everything in between. I think it's especially exciting because we haven't had a film quite like this in a long time. It has that Spielberg-inspired sense of adventure while also exploring darker, more mature themes that David carefully crafted throughout the story. More than anything, I hope people go see it with their friends and family and simply have a great time. At its core, the film reminds us that even during difficult moments, there's always hope. You have to keep fighting: for your survival, for the people you love, and for a better future. It's a layered film, but above all, it's an incredibly fun cinematic experience.

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As a young actor, what was it like collaborating with Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, and what did you take away from the experience?

I was incredibly fortunate to work alongside veterans like Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor. I remember arriving on set on the first day of filming and watching them fully commit to every scene, even during rehearsals and first takes. They completely embodied their characters both physically and emotionally, giving everything they had.

Seeing that level of commitment firsthand pushed me to elevate my own performance and work even harder because I wanted to hold my own alongside such accomplished actors. Although it was intimidating at first, Anne, Ewan, and David created such a collaborative and welcoming environment that it quickly became an incredible learning experience. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented and generous people. It helped me grow tremendously as an actor and further develop my craft.

Was there something about “The End of Oak Street” that immediately drew you to the role of Brian Pratt?

First of all, when I saw that David Robert Mitchell was directing this, that was what truly got me invested, even before reading the script. I had seen “It Follows,” and that movie was game-changing for me. It's a phenomenal piece of work. I also found that the role was perfect at the time. I fit the description very well, and it was a character I had been wanting to play: a teenage boy who's fighting for his independence and growing into adulthood while also trying to survive dinosaurs. Balancing that with the real family drama at the core of the story made it such a multifaceted role, and it was something I was really drawn to. I thought it was a very well-fleshed-out movie with a well-written character, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to play Brian.

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Looking back on the experience, what was the most fulfilling part of working on “The End of Oak Street”?

The most fulfilling part was the lessons and experiences I gained while being on set. It's very important to keep an open mind and be willing to learn and grow as an actor, no matter what film or role you're taking on. This movie was incredibly valuable for me, both as an actor and as a person. It was a very inspiring project, and I feel like it pushed me as an actor and allowed me to display more range. Since then, I've continued growing through newer projects, but I really think this film renewed my passion for acting. It was a transformative project for me, both in my process and in my life, and that's something I'll always take with me.

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Looking back on everything you've accomplished so far, what are you most proud of, and what experience has had the biggest impact on you?

I've been working in this industry for ten years now, and I'm so grateful to have been doing what I love for so long. When I look back at the roles I've had the opportunity to play, I'm extremely proud of how far I've come, and I'm grateful to everyone who has helped make it possible. I truly feel like I've found what I love in life, and I know this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I'm ready to give it everything I have. I'm incredibly grateful that I get to be an actor and a filmmaker, doing what I love, meeting amazing people, and taking part in incredible projects like “The End of Oak Street.” I'm simply grateful that I get to do what I love.

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As you continue to establish yourself in the industry, what are your goals as an actor, and what kinds of roles or projects are you hoping to explore next?

I want to keep pushing myself as an actor and continue showing the full range of what I can do. I'm looking for roles with meaningful stories that I can truly connect with. I want to be part of projects that make a difference, inspire people, or tell stories that need to be told. I'm looking for roles that allow me to do those things while continuing to challenge myself as an actor. I hope to inspire people through this art form, and I want to keep taking on meaningful roles that audiences connect with. Above all, I want to continue telling authentic stories and growing with every project.


CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Christian Convery
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Aaron Jay Young
Fashion Stylist: Avo Yermagyan at The Wall Group
Groomer: Tanya Alian at A-Frame Agency
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Ali Rosoff, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

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