Samara Weaving Has a Few Superpowers of Her Own (Exclusive)

Some actors spend years searching for the role that defines them. Samara Weaving has made a career out of constantly redefining herself. Whether she’s fighting for survival as Grace in Ready or Not and its newly released sequel Ready or Not: Here I Come, leading a satanic cult in The Babysitter, or tearing through the crime thriller Carolina Caroline alongside Kyle Gallner, Weaving has become one of the most exciting and unpredictable performers of her generation. She can be terrifying one moment, effortlessly hilarious the next, and somehow make both feel completely natural. It’s no surprise she’s earned her place as modern horror’s reigning Scream Queen.

The actress is also stepping into an entirely new cinematic universe. Marvel Studios has announced that Weaving will play Emma Frost in the upcoming ‘X-Men’ film. She’ll be taking on one of Marvel’s most fascinating characters: a formidable supervillain who eventually evolves into one of the X-Men’s most compelling leaders. It’s a transformation that feels tailor-made for an actress who has spent years mastering morally complex characters.

Samara already commands a substantial and devoted fanbase of her own, which only amplified the wave of excitement that followed the Emma Frost casting announcement. Still, the career-shifting power of the MCU remains undeniable. For many actors, joining Marvel has been the catalyst that elevated them to an entirely new level of stardom. Chris Hemsworth, relatively unknown before 2011’s Thor, emerged as a full-fledged A-lister almost overnight.

Paul Rudd was already a successful and beloved performer, but his work had been largely confined to comedy. Ant-Man gave him the chance to prove he could carry a major franchise with both humor and dramatic weight. Even the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy helped propel a group of young actors—Tobey Maguire, James Franco, Kirsten Dunst, and Bryce Dallas Howard—into much wider recognition. 

It’s thrilling to consider what portraying Emma Frost could mean for Samara Weaving’s trajectory, particularly given that she launched her film career in independent thrillers such as Mystery Road and Bad Girl. The timing could hardly be more perfect: the actress became a mother earlier this year to a baby girl who will one day have quite the story to tell.

Off-screen, Weaving has a few superpowers of her own. There’s the unmistakable scream that has become her trademark, a “goat-like wail,” as she jokingly calls it. There’s her uncanny ability to slip between accents, a skill she says she honed by watching countless episodes of Friends. She booked her first two auditions, an early success that gave her what she describes as “a false sense of confidence,” before the inevitable wave of rejection arrived. She still can’t believe fans tattoo her face on their bodies. And now, after becoming a mother, she’s discovered what may be her greatest superpower yet: seeing the world through “a new pair of glasses.”

Despite becoming one of horror’s defining faces, Weaving insists she never planned to make the genre her home. “I sort of fell into it,” she tells us, “but I am so grateful because horror fans are truly the best.” She also believes horror is finally receiving the recognition it deserves, pointing to films like ‘Weapons’ and ‘Sinners’ as evidence that audiences and awards bodies are beginning to give the genre its due.

As she prepares to enter production on a new independent film project, Samara Weaving opens up in our exclusive interview about the surreal moments that have defined her career, the fan encounters she’ll never forget, the acting advice Nicole Kidman gave her that still sticks with her, and why she’s stopped trying to predict what’s next because, as she puts it, “usually, the universe has a better plan than I do.“

Q: What are you up to right at this moment?

 Sitting in a leopard chair, holding the cutest baby alive, reading the most emo book. 

Q: What has been the biggest thrill of your career so far?

Walking into Martin McDonagh’s apartment and seeing Francis McDormand, John Hawkes, and Peter Dinklage and trying to be totally chill about it. 

Q: Do you remember your very first audition? How did it go?

My first audition was for an Aussie drama called Out of the Blue, and I got it straight away. My second audition was for Home and Away which I also booked, and these two experiences gave me a false sense of confidence in how this industry works, because after that it was a full year of rejection. 

Q: You nailed the Texan accent in Carolina Caroline. How challenging was it to achieve, and what has been the most difficult accent you’ve had to master?

The most difficult accent to master was when I started auditioning for American roles and having to learn a “Generican accent” as we call it. It took a minute. Watched a lot of Friends and mimicked them. 

Q: How did you and Kyle Gallner build such intense on-screen chemistry?

We got incredibly lucky having each other. Chemistry is something you can’t really manufacture, and it really makes or breaks a movie like this. We had an instant rapport – we hung out a lot and discovered we have a really similar way of working/approach to the work. I respect him deeply as an actor, and he’s not bad to look at.

Q: How do you typically prepare for a scene that requires your signature scream?

 No preparation. I have been blessed with a goat-like wail. 

Q: Have you seen Abigail? Matt and Tyler mentioned it exists in the same universe as Ready or Not. How would you feel about a crossover?

I feel great about it. Let’s fucking go. 

Q: Fans often point out that horror performances, even outstanding ones, tend to be overlooked during awards season. Do you agree?

Yes, but I think the tides are turning. With films like Weapons and Sinners, I feel like people are finally giving credit where credit’s due. 

Q: Do you actively seek out horror roles because of your love for the genre, or has the enthusiastic response from horror fans encouraged you to do more?

Honestly, I sort of fell into it, but I am so grateful because horror fans are truly the best!

Q: How has motherhood changed your life so far?

It has given me a new pair of glasses to see the world through. I don’t really care about anything as much anymore. I don’t remember what I used to worry about. 

Q: Music seems to have been a recurring theme throughout your career—from recording lyrics for Over Your Dead Body, playing a pop star in Borderline (and delivering that fantastic Celine Dion tribute), to portraying Marie-Joséphine. Have you ever considered releasing your own music?

I really can’t sing. 

 Q: What is your most-played song right now?

Waltzing Matilda is on heavy rotation in our household these days. 

 Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a Pisces?

That most people like them. 

Q: What’s one memorable interaction with a fan that has stayed with you?

It always blows my mind when someone has a tattoo of my face on them. 

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from a fellow actor that has really helped you?

Nicole Kidman on Nine Perfect Strangers talked about the power of facing away from the camera. Let the audience wonder what you’re thinking. 

Q: Which genres are you most excited to explore next?

I’ve given up planning or having expectations about what is coming next. Usually, the universe has a better plan than I do. 

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