Alex Schulman, a prominent figure in Sweden known for his work as an author, journalist, and podcaster, has successfully transitioned into filmmaking with his debut, Adult Supervision. The film, which recently premiered at the Zurich Film Festival and earned accolades at Fantastic Fest, has been chosen to represent Sweden in the Oscar race, bringing an unexpected spotlight to Schulman's nascent directing career.

Central to the film's narrative and its intriguing behind-the-scenes story is Schulman's reunion with actor Gustaf Skarsgård. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the two once shared a deeply public and acrimonious relationship. The feud ignited when Schulman, on his popular Scandinavian podcast Alex & Sigges, publicly mocked a rap song released by Skarsgård, a member of the renowned Swedish acting dynasty. Skarsgård's reaction was swift and fiery, reportedly telling Swedish press, "I get so angry, offended, proud and sad and a little murderous." Schulman himself recounted the ensuing "war for a couple of years."

The turning point came in 2022. Schulman had written a monologic stage show, Comfort Reports, and was searching for a formidable actor to bring it to life. Despite their past, he believed Skarsgård was the only one capable. Unable to directly contact his former adversary, Schulman sent the script through the head of Stockholm’s Royal Dramatic Theatre. Skarsgård, liking the material, agreed to meet. Schulman vividly recalls their reconciliation: "After being public enemies for so long, we met in this restaurant. I remember him coming in, and I rose from the table, and we just hugged. Then it was over."

Adult Supervision marks their second collaboration following the stage show. The film casts Skarsgård as Bill, an anxiety-ridden father chaperoning a school trip in a desperate attempt to mend his strained relationship with his daughter. Inspired by Schulman's own experiences on a similar trip, the story delves into the chaotic dynamics of paternity, masculinity, and childhood trauma. Schulman infused the script with real-life incidents, from crude student remarks to disturbing acts of bullying, reflecting the unpredictable nature of children and the pressures on adults.

Schulman identifies strongly with Bill's character, admitting, "I am very much like Bill in the movie. I’m not a conflict guy." He praises Skarsgård's nuanced portrayal of Bill's gentle yet neurotic disposition, noting, "It's completely his movie [...] and for me, I think it was obvious that [no one] in Sweden can do it as well as he did." Skarsgård's performance anchors the film's gradual descent from order to chaos, portraying a man burdened by both parental responsibility and his own childhood trauma.

Described as a dark comedy, Adult Supervision skillfully blends humor and discomfort, veering into thriller territory, and even a "relationship horror" as dubbed by director Ruben Östlund. Schulman, who enlisted cinematographer Jakob Ihre (known for his work on Chernobyl and with Joachim Trier), consciously embraced a playful aesthetic, using miniature models instead of drone shots to evoke a childlike perspective.

Now, with his film heading to Los Angeles for Oscar screenings, Schulman expresses a mix of disbelief and excitement. He has definitively caught the directing bug and is already planning his second feature, also inspired by a personal trip. For this debut filmmaker, having a nation behind him for the Oscars is a dream come true, opening doors to future projects.