LIVE 24-SEVEN
RUBY IS DEALING WITH A LOT OF ISSUES SHE HAS INSECURITY AND DOUBT
environment in the camp. Then she has a great, expansive journey and, along the way, together with her new friends, she starts to understand her power. By the end of the film, she wields it well.
How much do you relate to Ruby? I definitely relate to her. And because there’s room for interpretation in the book and in the script, I was able to put a lot of myself into the role in terms of my own journey – how I have found my own power and strength, when I might have been doubting myself. To understand Ruby, I also relied on some of my own personal feelings about our government here in America and how it feels to exist under the government.
How did you get involved with the film in the first place? The role was actually offered to me. I think there was interest in me partly because I have spoken out on issues like cultural appropriation and Black Lives Matter. Since the character is a leader, or at least reaches the point of being a leader during the course of the movie, I think they felt I had some of Ruby’s qualities. Also, I went to school with [the film’s producer] Shawn Levy’s daughter and he knew my work.
What were some of the big challenges? It was challenging trying to conceive of what it would be like to be in Ruby’s position and experience what she is going through. The challenge was also making everything feel accessible and real and striking a balance with the drama.
What is the premise of this story? The Darkest Minds’ is set in a world, not too far from our own, where a mysterious disease has killed off 98 percent of children. Those who are left have developed psychic abilities for an unknown reason and, because adults are afraid of them, they’ve placed the kids into camps. The story is post-apocalyptic in nature. My character, Ruby, escapes from the brutal internment camp where she’s imprisoned, with the help of a mysterious woman, Cate, played by Mandy Moore. Then she has to figure out her place in the world. Along the way, she makes a lot of friends and becomes very close to a group of kids.
Can you say a little more about Ruby and how you portray her? Ruby is dealing with a lot of issues. She has insecurity and doubt and self-hatred due to things that have happened in the past. She has powers that she doesn’t understand – the ability to manipulate people’s memories, to see inside their heads and manipulate their thoughts and feelings. She begins the story scared, terrified and beaten down, mainly because she’s grown up in an abusive
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There’s a lot of action – how much physical training was involved? I did zero training (laughs). I did have to learn how to do little stunts, in terms of knowing how to get hit convincingly. I did a lot of running and some harness work. But it was all pretty easy for me.
The film also includes an exciting romance. There is great chemistry between you and Harris Dickinson, who plays Liam. I love Harris so much. He is a great guy; he’s hilarious, talented and wicked smart. We have the exact same sense of humor, so we became really close friends, very quickly. As soon as he came in for the first ‘chemistry read’ with me, I knew in about three seconds that he was going to get the part. It was great working together.
What did you learn from your talented co-stars, Mandy Moore and Gwendoline Christie? They are so cool. I learned so much just by being around them. Mandy is sweet to everyone she’s around and that is really impressive because I can be a little reclusive when I’ve been working for hours and hours, but Mandy is always lovely and kind. She is so good at being able to work hard, while still being social and friendly towards
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