IN CONVERSATION WITH INDE NAVARRETTE

interview by JANA LETONJA

Inde Navarrette is stepping into a bold new chapter with her breakout starring role in Focus Features’ twisted horror love story Obsession, arriving in theatres on 15th May. Premiering in the Midnight section at TIFF, where it became the festival’s highest-selling film, the project marks a striking departure from her previous work in 13 Reasons Why and Superman & Lois. Off-screen, she brings a laid-back, effortlessly cool energy, equally at home in dive bars, gaming sessions, or travelling the world, making her one of the most exciting rising talents to watch.

Obsession is a major shift from your previous roles. What drew you to the project?

Obsession was a role that I could not have anticipated. I really wanted to transition into film, but to do it in a way that showed more of what I was capable of as an actress. Artistically, I felt like a boiling pot that kept being taken off the stove right before boiling over. Obsession was the perfect script for me to let it all out. There was so much to work with, and Nikki was the first person on paper that I fully understood.

The film has been described as a twisted love story. How did you interpret Nikki within that dynamic?

Nikki is so complex and not just your typical love interest. She hates that she is stuck and fights back at every opportunity. Yet there is this “side” to her that wants to be loved and cared for, but does she really want it? Nikki is a kaleidoscope. Depending on where you shine the light, you get a different perspective. She is not just a girl next door with a pretty smile; she is not just someone to have a crush on. Nikki has dreams of being a writer; she is funny, she is her own person. She has that taken away because she then must perform for someone else. That’s where I think the horror was for me. For her to lose everything about herself to get someone else to care. She has to fight on a daily basis to retain her autonomy. A struggle Bear doesn’t care about, and that her friends don’t see. The friends are worried for Bear, not Nikki. It’s solely her fight.

Your performance explores the gap between intention and impact. How did you approach that complexity?

My approach to that was fully submitting to the fact that the character I was playing had no control. Bear's simple wish of asking his crush to like him back turns menacing when he chooses to ignore the effect it has on her.

The film premiered at TIFF and generated a lot of buzz. What was it like experiencing that with the audience?

That was single-handedly the sickest thing to be a part of. Everyone who worked on the film was in the audience as well, from the light department to makeup and art. We all got to experience the audience's reactions together.

How did working within the horror genre challenge you as an actress?

Horror was something I never thought I would be a part of. I am so deeply afraid of horror. But filming a horror has made me more comfortable with myself, and I could be content doing horror for the rest of my life. I'm obsessed with it.

The film plays with themes of obsession and desire. What do you think makes those themes so compelling for audiences?

Everyone wants to be loved, everyone wants to feel special. It's so deeply a part of being human. To have that come from a sinister place is terrifying to everyone.

You’ve been part of projects like 13 Reasons Why and Superman & Lois. How does Obsession represent a turning point for you?

I loved being a part of Superman & Lois and 13 Reasons Why. Both of those shows gave me all the experience I needed to take on a role like Nikki. Obsession was the first time that I felt like I wasn’t part of someone else’s story. Obsession is Nikki. It’s about Nikki's pain, about how she has no control. How terrifying that is. To play with her was an incredible experience.

Off-screen, you have a very different energy, from gaming to travelling. How do you decompress after intense roles?

Oh, I drive my baby angel car that I love so much, and I listen to 2010s music really loud. We filmed at night, so I would drive home with no one on the road. I was allowed to sing as loud as I could with no one around. Plus, filming the movie was incredibly decompressing. It seems intense for everyone, but it was so freeing for me. I could scream as loud as I wanted. I could cry as much as I wanted. It was cathartic.

What kind of stories or characters are you most excited to explore moving forward?

I really want to dip my toe into action. I really like fighting sequences. But I need to dip further into horror now, too. I'm addicted.

Finally, what does this moment, leading a film like Obsession, represent for you personally and professionally?

It's an incredible honour to lead a film like Obsession. I feel like so many moments and sacrifices have led up to this moment. To have the response that we’ve had this early on in the process has been incredibly exciting and validating. I mean, it hasn’t even come out yet. It’s sick.

TEAM CREDITS

talent INDE NAVARRETTE
photography EMILY SANDIFER
styling ENRIQUE MELENDEZ
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA