In the world of Hollywood friendships, there is “best friend goals,” and then there is the chaotic, darkly comedic vortex that is Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza. While the public has long viewed Anna Kendrick as the “sweet, innocent girl next door” thanks to her roles in Pitch Perfect and Twilight, Aubrey Plaza has spent years trying to convince the world of a much more “sinister” truth. During a series of press tours and savage tributes, Plaza—the queen of deadpan awkwardness—has pulled back the curtain on their bond, revealing that beneath Kendrick’s sunny exterior lies a wit just as sharp and “evil” as her own.
The “Opposites Attract” Illusion
To the casual observer, Kendrick and Plaza are a study in contrasts. Anna Kendrick is often associated with high-pitched musical numbers, fast-talking wit, and a relatable, “scrappy” persona. Aubrey Plaza, meanwhile, is defined by her “witchy” energy and her penchant for making interviewers visibly uncomfortable. However, after starring together in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the zombie-comedy Life After Beth, the two became inseparable. It was during the filming of the 2016 comedy Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates that their shared darkness truly came to light, as they bonded over a mutual “calcified resentment” for Hollywood phoniness.
“People Think She’s a Cupcake, But She’s a Monster”
The narrative of Kendrick’s innocence was effectively shattered by Plaza’s public commentary. Plaza has frequently joked that she recognized a kindred spirit in Kendrick because they both share a dark, unfiltered humor. “People think she’s this little cupcake, but she’s actually a monster,” Plaza has joked, describing their friendship as a “dark bond” characterized by rough jokes and a habit of “shit-talking” that would terrify most directors. Kendrick herself leaned into this image in her memoir, Scrappy Little Nobody, where she admitted to possessing a capacity for “mean stuff” that contradicts her petite stature.
The Bond That Saved a Life
The chemistry between these two “avoidants” (as Kendrick describes them) has translated into significant cultural impact, but it also has a deep, personal foundation. In 2023, Kendrick revealed that Plaza was one of the few friends she trusted enough to help her navigate her exit from a toxic, abusive relationship. It was Plaza’s “no-nonsense” truth-telling that finally helped Kendrick “get out.”
| Metric | Details |
| Film Collaborations | Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Life After Beth, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates |
| Common Trait | “Avoidant” attachment styles that allow for intense space and loyalty |
| Commercial Success | Mike and Dave grossed over $77 million worldwide |
| Real-Life Role | Plaza acted as a “truth-teller” during Kendrick’s personal crisis |
Terrifying the Directors
Directors who work with the pair often speak of the “handful” they become when together. During the production of Mike and Dave, director Jake Szymanski had to manage a duo that was constantly poking fun at the production and conspiring to insert “terrible riffs” and improvised chaos into the script. Plaza’s savage tribute to Kendrick isn’t just about insults; it’s an admission that she finally found someone who speaks her language of “hilarious destruction.” Whether they are pretending to be “rocket scientists” to confuse car salesmen or ruining takes with bad riffs, they operate on a frequency that is uniquely theirs.
Conclusion: Shattering the “Girl Next Door”
Aubrey Plaza didn’t just expose Anna Kendrick’s “evil” side; she validated it. By shattering the “sweet girl” archetype, Plaza allowed Kendrick to be seen as a complex, fierce, and occasionally unhinged artist. In Hollywood, where images are often manufactured, the “dark bond” between Kendrick and Plaza is a rare, authentic outlier. They aren’t just friends; they are a two-woman wrecking crew, proving that sometimes the most terrifying thing in the world is two women who refuse to smile just to make everyone else comfortable.