Mandy Moore, now 40, has shared a behind-the-scenes story from the set of the 2004 cult comedy Saved!, revealing that Macaulay Culkin introduced her and her underage co-stars to White Russians during filming in British Columbia. According to Moore, Culkin — the oldest in the group at the time — provided the alcoholic beverages, and Moore recalls thinking, “I was like, Milk and alcohol? This is made for me. I love this! This is like ice cream, this is fantastic!” The anecdote , first reported in recent intervviews, offers a glimpse into the production of a film that sought to lampoon religious extremism while launching several young careers.

Macaulay Culkin's White Russians: The 2004 Set Ritual

The legal drinking age in British Columbia, where Saved! was filmed, is 19. At the time of production, Moore was 20, Jena Malone and Patrick Fugit were 19, and Eva Amurri was 19 — all underage or barely legal. Macaulay Culkin, then 23, procured the drinks, as Moore recounted. The actress, fresh off The Princess Diaries (2001) and A Walk to Remember (2002), said the experience made her feel like “a cool kid,” sitting at the “cool kids table” with her young Hollywood peers. The White Russian, a cocktail famously associated with The Big Lebowski, became a symbol of the set's camaraderie.

Why 'Saved!' Was a Career Pivot for Mandy Moore

Moore’s role as Hilary Faye Stockard, a self-righteous Christian high school student, was a deliberate departure from the sweet, girl-next-door image she cultivated earlier. According to the source, Moore hoped Saved! would “shake up her image” and open doors to edgier projects. the film, which also starred Macaulay Culkin, Jena Malone, Patrick Fugit, and Eva Amurri, became a cult classic but was not a box office hit at the time. moore’s later work, including the hit NBC drama This Is Us (2016–2022), earned her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, but Saved! remains a key turning point in her career trajectory.

The Legal Drinking Age in British Columbia: A 19-Year-Old Threshold

Moore’s story underscores the specific legal context of the shoot . British Columbia’s drinking age of 19 meant that most of the cast was technically ineligible to purchase alcohol. Culkin’s role as the enabler — providing White Russians — raises questions about adult supervision on set . The Home Alone star was 23, above the legal limit, but the film’s production had a duty of care toward minor actors. While Moore describes the experience as innocent and the group as “sweet and innocent,” the breach of set boundaries is a detail that could be scrutinized in today’s industry standards.

What Moore Left Unsaid: The Aftermath and Industry Norms

The source does not address whether any crew members or parents were aware of the underage drinking, nor does it mention any consequences — either for the actors or for production. As the #MeToo era has prompted closer examination of on-set behavior, such anecdotes now carry a different weight. It remains unknown whether the cast or crew faced any disciplinary action, or whether similar practices were common on other teen film sets of that era. Moore’s reminiscing is framed as a fun memory, but the omission of any reflection on the legal or ethical implications leaves a notable gap.

How 'Saved!' Became a Cult Classic: From Box Office to Streaming Revival

Saved! was released in 2004, grossing just over $10 million at the domestic box office, a modest figure even then. Over the years, it has gained a following for its sharp satire of evangelical Christianity and its cast of future stars. The film is now frequently rediscovered on streaming platforms, and its cultural resonance has grown as audiences revisit early-2000s teen comedies. Moore’s anecdote adds a layer of nostalgia for fans, while also highlighting how the film’s production process differed from contemporary Hollywood standards.