Mia Sara Reflects on Her Experience Filming ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’

Nearly 40 years after Ferris Bueller’s Day Off captivated audiences, actress Mia Sara shares insights about her experience working on the film. In an interview, Sara discussed her role as Sloane Peterson in the 1986 teen comedy and her interactions with director John Hughes.

Sara acknowledged the movie’s lasting popularity but revealed that the filming process wasn’t enjoyable for her. “I don’t really give interviews because making ‘Ferris Bueller’ was not that good an experience for me,” Sara remarked to The Sunday Times. She appreciated the film’s significance but had difficulty working with Hughes, describing him as “a strange guy.” She explained, “He wanted us all to hang out together and to introduce us to the French New Wave films.” As a young actress, Sara was already familiar with these films, leading to frustration on Hughes’s part.

Reflecting on her career, Sara shared her struggles in the acting world and her eventual pivot to writing poetry. She admitted, “I never really had the resilience to deal with the audition process.” Despite certain career achievements, she viewed her acting journey as unfulfilling.

The film’s cultural impact remains strong, with Sara noting, “My kids say they can see the moment their friends make the connection between me and the movie.” Sara expressed broader frustrations with Hollywood, feeling mismatched with the industry amid some successes.

The 1986 debut of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off introduced audiences to the story of Ferris Bueller, played by Matthew Broderick. The plot follows Ferris skipping school to enjoy a day in Chicago with his girlfriend Sloane Peterson and best friend Cameron Frye, evading his suspicious sister Jeanie. Jennifer Grey, who played Jeanie, began a secret relationship with Broderick during filming.

Grey shared, “It was not easy to keep hidden on set. The one scene Matthew and I had together—I got the giggles so badly that I was bleeding from trying to bite my cheek.” Sara humorously added, “I had a massive crush on Matthew during the filming, but it was unrequited.”

Alan Ruck, who played Cameron Frye, recounted convincing casting directors of his fit for the role despite being 28 when Cameron was supposed to be 18. The audition with Broderick helped confirm his suitability, as their rapport translated well into the characters’ dynamic.