I’ve had a lot of films at Sundance and I was looking around going, “You guys, this is different.” People were just so excited to see it and you could feel the energy in the theater. The film had its premiere at Sundance before the pandemic. To be able to play in a more comedic way was great. I’ve done a lot of serious work, but as a person, I’m goofy and silly. It was this beautiful friendship, which is rare in your adult life. Taylour and I fell in love instantly, except it wasn’t toxic like Stefani and Zola. How did you and Taylour Paige craft that? Zola and Stefani have this strange instant friendship. What are the details that you hope people notice? But, obviously, Stefani is a disturbing demon.

If I can find the humanity in them, hopefully, that translates on screen. Is she?” That’s the experience you have when you meet complicated people who have trauma. With great filmmaking, you’re able to make the audience go, “I hate this girl, but she’s kind of sweet. There’s more work to do, because you have to find the humanity in people that make you go, “Ugh!” That’s the work we need to do as human beings in real life. I’ve played unlikeable characters a few times and it’s so much more fun. When playing any character, you have to find empathy no matter how unlikeable they are.

Stefani is the villain of this story but also a victim in some ways. I worked on the accent and sent it to Janicza. When I got this script, someone said, “You kind of played that in American Honey.” I was like, “This is a completely different person! You’re putting all these women in the same category.” So, for Stefani, it was about thinking about the nuances of where she grew up, what she grew up around and how she speaks. I’ve lived an interesting life, I’ve met a lot of people and, the thing is, I’ve met people like Stefani. I’ve had pole dancing lessons and I’ve been in that world. I’ve played dancers who work in strip clubs a few times. How did you prepare to play such an outrageous character? My only question to Janicza was, “Can I really go for it?” She was like, “Absolutely!” We wanted to make her as wild, offensive and loud as we could. Janicza wanted me for the role, which was amazing. I was completely obsessed with the writing. Riley Keough: Yeah, someone sent it to me! Then, I was told that they were making it into a film and I got sent the script.

What zola did