Gabriel Basso, known for his role in The Night Agent, stepped behind the camera for the first time with Iconoclast, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 9th. The psychological thriller, written by Basso himself, stars Rain Spencer (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Courtney Eaton (Yellowjackets), and Noah Centineo (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before). The film dives into the dark side of digital obsession, following a loner whose fixation on a live-streamer begins to shape his entire identity and actions, leading to dangerous consequences.
In an exclusive chat with Collider, Basso, Spencer, and Centineo opened up about the film's origins, character development, and the collaborative atmosphere on set. Spencer and Centineo praised Basso's unique approach as a first-time director, highlighting his ability to foster trust and creativity among the cast and crew.
Gabriel Basso Wins Over Rain Spencer and Noah Centineo
Basso revealed that the script for Iconoclast came together quickly—he wrote it in less than a week last October. “Once I have it in my head that that's what it's going to be, I don't second guess myself,” he said. The director's confidence and clarity impressed his co-stars from the start.
Rain Spencer recalled her first conversation with Basso about the project, which happened via FaceTime from the trunk of a rental car. “We had a great conversation, spoke for a while. It was our first meeting and you were like, ‘I want you to do this. I haven’t told anyone else, but I want you to do this.’ And I was like, ‘All right, I'm down,’” she said. Basso explained that he didn't see the need for a traditional audition because he trusted Spencer's core instincts as an actor. “Who Rain is at her core, I won't have to direct because I can always default on she knows how to be this person,” he noted.
Noah Centineo's involvement came through a chance meeting during press tours for their respective Netflix series—The Night Agent and The Recruit. “We were paired together to do some interviews, even though we had never met before. And we got to talking... and really jived,” Centineo recalled. After Basso sent him the script, Centineo and his producing partner Enzo Marc were immediately hooked. “It's so exciting when somebody has a real voice as a writer and has a point of view and is unapologetic in that point of view,” he said.
Noah Centineo Compares Gabriel Basso's Directing Style to Denis Villeneuve
Centineo didn't hold back when describing Basso's directorial style, drawing a comparison to the acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. “I think in an artistic art medium, like a movie, you need to rely on people who have souls,” Basso said, reflecting on his philosophy. Spencer echoed that sentiment, describing a set filled with laughter and a relaxed yet focused energy. “Gabe would say things like ‘It's already happened. It's already done. I know what it is. We just have to film it, like it's already there. It already exists.’ You knew exactly what he wanted, which was really freeing,” she explained.
The collaborative environment extended to every department, from the prop master to the gaffer. Basso emphasized the importance of giving his team autonomy: “Being able to go on set and tell Burke, the prop master, to do his job and not micromanage him... follow their gut but give them the structure.” This approach allowed actors like Spencer to contribute creatively, such as choosing her character's wardrobe. “She can now say ‘I created Morgan,’” Basso said proudly.
For fans of psychological thrillers, Iconoclast promises to be a gripping addition to the genre. If you're looking for more mind-bending stories, check out our list of Top 10 Psychological Thrillers of the Last Decade Ranked: Mind-Bending Must-Sees. And for those who enjoy intense spy dramas, don't miss the upcoming Lioness Season 3 Teaser Drops: Paramount+ Sets August 2 Premiere for Taylor Sheridan's Spy Thriller.
With its raw exploration of loneliness and the perils of parasocial relationships, Iconoclast is shaping up to be a standout debut. Basso's confidence behind the camera, combined with strong performances from Spencer and Centineo, makes this a film to watch when it hits theaters or streaming.
