, Richardson — who introduces herself as just Haley, saying, “I'm very sensitive to feeling pretentious" — reunites with one of her very first collaborators, writer and director Rachel Lee Goldenberg, who directed her in the 2013 Lifetime movie. She stars as Veronica, a play-by-the-rules high school senior in Missouri who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant.
Much will be made about calling this film an “abortion movie,” which it is not. Upon making her decision to terminate her pregnancy at the top of the film, Veronica never waivers or doubts her choice; it’s merely the catalyst to what the film is at heart: a hilarious and heartwarming buddy comedy. “It was so important that this movie isn't about ‘Should I or shouldn't I?’” explains Richardson. “She knows that this is not right for her.
Richardson, in general, is someone who prefers to look on the brighter side of life. Even her virtual life is sunny:, on which she estimates she’s spent 480 hours playing since quarantine began, is named Smiley Town. “Honestly, my best friends and then Brett, even my parents — even though they're in Arizona — literally have all separately had serious interventions with me saying that they think I have an actual problem, or saying that they feel neglected, genuinely,” she admits.