There’s a whole lot to love about The Hate U Give! Based on the YA best seller by Angie Thomas, this story isn’t your average teen blockbuster centered just around a high school romance. Instead, it’s about a girl named Starr (Amandla Stenberg) who witnesses the tragic shooting of her best friend. She decides to stand up for what’s right instead of caving into the pressures of her community thanks to help from her family, friends and boyfriend, Chris, played by KJ Apa. Check out what KJ exclusively told us about the flick!

J-14: We’re so used to seeing you on Riverdale! Would you say Chris is anything like Archie?

KJ: Honestly, I feel like they’re pretty similar. They both want the best for people and will try to do whatever they can to help out their friends.

J-14: How would you describe Chris and Starr’s relationship?

KJ: I think it’s really special. They are so oppsite from each other in every way, but it’s awesome to be able to portray a relationship where they don’t have everything in common.

J-14: If you found yourself in Starr’s shoes when you were her age, do you think you would have been as strong as she was dealing with everything?

KJ: No, I don’t really think I would have. What she went through was brutal and how she reacted proved how strong she was!

J-14: Starr always talks about feeling like she’s living in two different worlds – one at home and one at school. Do you think people seeing the film will relate to that?

KJ: Yeah, I think teens especially know what it’s like to feel like they have to put on different faces in different areas of their life in order to fit in somewhere. I know I felt that was in high school, too.

J-14: Why do you think this film is so important for J-14ers to see?

KJ: The movie reflects real issues, but it focuses on people, not politics, and how these issues affect communities. It’s about things happening right now that everyone needs to know about.

You can find all of this and more in the November 2018 issue of J-14, on sale Sept. 10!

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