When Chloe Bailey first opened the script for Strung, one thing immediately stood out.
“I was like, ‘Whoa, who knew musical instruments could be weapons?'” she laughed.
That unexpected premise is what makes Strung such a unique entry into the thriller genre. Blending music, suspense, and emotional drama, the film follows Laila, a gifted musician forced into an increasingly dangerous world where her talent becomes both her greatest strength and greatest vulnerability.
During Black Girl Nerds’ interview with Bailey, the multi-hyphenate star discussed the emotional journey of playing Laila, how real-life experiences unexpectedly informed her performance, and the accomplished Black women whose artistry inspired her portrayal.
Bringing Real Emotion to Laila
Although Strung features high-stakes action sequences and inventive musical combat, Bailey says some of the film’s most difficult moments weren’t the physical ones.
When asked whether any scenes surprised her emotionally while filming, Bailey immediately recalled one particularly memorable day on set.
“There was one day — it was when I’m getting fired,” she explained. “I was very emotionally overwhelmed that day about something else completely unrelated, and I was able to use my frustration from that very easily through the scene where I wasn’t even acting. I was just saying different lines, but my emotions were very accurate.”
Rather than compartmentalizing her feelings, Bailey allowed them to fuel her performance, resulting in one of the film’s most emotionally authentic moments.
Finding Laila Through Music and Love
For Bailey, understanding Laila’s emotional core came naturally.
“Well, I’m a Cancer,” she joked. “And I love really hard, and I feel really hard.”
She says that openness became one of the biggest connections between herself and the character.
“That piece of Chloe was easy to bring into Laila, as well as the love that she has for music and her sister.”
Laila is deeply affected by the loss of her younger sister, a tragedy that shapes every decision she makes throughout the film.
“Going through a traumatic event with losing her younger sister, she realizes that all she really can hold onto is her love of music.”
That grief eventually pushes Laila into unfamiliar territory.
“When she gets thrown into this whirlwind, she’s kind of in a very unfamiliar place because she’s very goody two-shoes… not anymore. She said, ‘I’m going all out.'”
It’s a transformation Bailey clearly enjoyed exploring, as Laila slowly sheds her cautious nature and embraces a fiercer version of herself.
Inspired by Extraordinary Women Musicians
To prepare for portraying a musician with exceptional discipline, Bailey looked toward artists she deeply admires.
“Incredible Black women who are amazing at their gift,” she said.
Among those inspirations was acclaimed bassist and composer Esperanza Spalding, whose musicianship Bailey holds in high regard.
“I really love Esperanza Spalding, who is amazing with her instrument.”
She also pointed to actress Amandla Stenberg, noting her impressive violin skills as another source of inspiration while developing Laila’s musical authenticity.
Rather than simply learning technical movements, Bailey focused on embodying the emotional relationship musicians have with their instruments—a connection that becomes central to Strung‘s story.
A Thriller That Hits All the Right Notes
From its inventive concept of weaponized musical instruments to its emotionally grounded protagonist, Strung offers audiences something refreshingly different.
Bailey’s performance balances vulnerability, grief, resilience, and determination, creating a heroine whose greatest strength isn’t simply her musical talent—it’s her ability to keep moving forward despite unimaginable loss.
If Bailey’s first reaction to the script was any indication, audiences should prepare for a thriller that’s equal parts emotionally resonant and wildly unexpected.
After all, who knew musical instruments could become the deadliest weapons of all?
Strung is now streaming on Peacock.
