Madelyn Cline & KJ Apa Lead Charleston Premiere of ‘The Map That Leads to You’

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Aug 11

Written By Jonathan P. Moustakas

A star-studded Southern celebration marks the romantic drama’s U.S. launch before its global streaming release.

Charleston, South Carolina rolled out the red carpet this week as Amazon MGM Studios celebrated the Southern premiere of The Map That Leads to You with a glamorous, star-packed event that blended Hollywood sparkle with Lowcountry charm. The special screening, hosted by Southern Charm’s Leva Bonaparte, drew more than 200 attendees — from the film’s lead stars to regional influencers, industry tastemakers, and notable members of the Charleston social scene.

Leading the evening’s arrivals were cast members Madelyn Cline, KJ Apa, Madison Thompson, and Sofia Wylie, who were joined by co-stars Josh Lucas and Orlando Norman. Guests and fans lined the entrance to catch a glimpse of the stars, while photographers captured every red carpet moment.

Notable attendees included Michols Pena, Lake Rucker, Madison Reese, Joe Bradley, Bradley Carter, Mia Alario, TJ Dinch, Salley Carson, Molly Moore, Justin Assada, Grace Lilly, Venita Aspen, Rodrigo Reyes, and Molly O’Connell — many of whom brought an extra burst of local celebrity energy to the festivities.

Credit: Todd Williamso

From the acclaimed director Lasse Hallström (Dear John, Safe Haven), The Map That Leads to You is adapted from JP Monninger’s bestselling novel and promises an emotional, globe-spanning romance. The story follows Heather (Cline), a young woman who embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime trip across Europe with her best friends before settling into her carefully planned future. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets Jack (Apa), a magnetic and mysterious stranger whose presence sparks an intense and immediate connection. As their relationship deepens, the two find themselves navigating secrets, life-altering choices, and revelations that will challenge everything they thought they knew about love, destiny, and themselves.

The Charleston premiere served as both a celebration of the film’s upcoming August 20 release on Prime Video and a rare opportunity for fans to connect directly with the cast in an intimate setting. Inside the theater, attendees were treated to an advance screening, which drew enthusiastic applause during the credits.

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Behind the scenes, the project was produced by Martin Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, John Fischer, and Isaac Klausner, with Hal Sadoff and Matt Luber serving as executive producers. The screenplay, penned by Vera Herbert and Les Bohem from a story by Bohem, preserves Monninger’s sweeping romance while adding cinematic flourishes tailor-made for Hallström’s lush, emotive directing style.

With a brisk 96-minute runtime and a PG-13 rating, The Map That Leads to You is positioned as a late-summer streaming event — perfect for audiences looking for escapist romance with heartfelt drama. Prime Video will stream the film globally starting August 20, giving international fans a chance to experience its blend of emotional storytelling and picturesque European backdrops.

For those eager to relive the Charleston festivities, over 200 official event photos by Todd Williamson are now available, capturing red carpet arrivals, candid cast moments, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of an unforgettable night.