Happy Sad Confused - Mia Goth

Episode Date: December 1, 2025

Mia Goth makes an impression. From NYMPHOMANIAC to her Ti West trilogy to FRANKENSTEIN, this young actress loves to take risks and is reaping the rewards. Here she joins Josh to talk about all of it including her upcoming films, STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER and THE ODYSSEY. UPCOMING EVENTS Walker Scobell 12/19 in NYC -- ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Happy Sad Confused patreon here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We've got discount codes to live events, merch, early access, exclusive episodes, video versions of the podcast, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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they used to, you need to see this. Watch Catherine Heigle's free video now at hscpet.com. That's hsc pet.com. Your dog's health will thank you. You know, when I was auditioning a lot earlier on, I'd always listen to Eminem in my head, friends. You know, the song, One Shot, I would listen to that one really, and I would, I really would sit in the audition room, in the office, and I would be there, and I would always be early, you know what I mean? And I would write my name in the course sheet, like, really large, like me, a golf. Prepare your ears, humans, happy, sad, confused.

begins now. Hey guys, welcome to another edition of Happy Say I Confused. We have a new guest on the pod. Someone we've been chasing a while. Mia Goth is on the podcast today. So much to talk about, including Frankenstein, Guillermo Totero's Frankenstein, Mia Gauth, playing not one but two roles in this film that is setting the charts ablaze on Netflix.

Whether you've seen it in theaters or watching it at home, you know this is a special one. So thrilled, Mia took the time out from her busy schedule to chat on the pod for the very first time. Thank you guys, by the way, for checking out happy, say, and fused. As always, if you're new to the podcast, where have you been, give us a like, a subscribe, however you're watching this on Spotify, YouTube, listening on your favorite podcast platform. We appreciate you guys. We've had a huge, huge 2025. We're ending it in style with some banger episodes I'm so proud of. And Mia is a great one to kind of, we're not quite going out on 2025 yet, but we're coming close.

She is someone that I've had a lot of respect and admiration for for the wild kind of swings she's been taking as an actor. She kind of reminds me, we had Margaret Qualley on earlier in the year, of a young actor who's not afraid to take big swings and work with the coolest filmmakers around. She got her start, you know, with Ars van Trier and ever since has been working. with really interesting filmmakers, whether it's working with Thai West or Claire Deney, Gorbinski in A Here for Wellness, she is someone to keep your eye on.

And she's a busy lady, by the way, because we talked a little context here. We were supposed to actually talk in person in New York around the time. Frankenstein was screening here and got pulled back into production because she is in the middle of Star Wars. The new Star Wars film,

directed by Sean Levy, starring Ryan Gosling. We referenced that. We talk a little bit as much as we can in this conversation. She's also in The Odyssey. She's still potentially attached to Blade. We talk about all these things, guys. We cover it all. And, of course, a lot about Frankenstein,

this gorgeous piece of work from Guillermo, which, of course, if you haven't checked out our Jacob Allorty episode, check it out another cool first-timer on the pod. As always, a reminder. check us out on patreon patreon.com slash happy say i confused early access to our live events we have a cool one coming up with walker scobel that is probably going to sell out in new york city more very cool ones to come uh bonus materials merch all the cool stuff patreon dot com slash happy sad confused uh i think that's all i'm going to say i'm going to let mea goth take over and uh hopefully i'll guide her

through her career uh to the best of my ability hope you'll enjoy this um like i said she's a singular talent And I'm so thrilled, we can add her name to the roster of amazing young actors that have been unhappy, say, confused. So without any further ado, here is me and Mia Gauth through the magic of Zoom. Enjoy it. Mia Gauth, you're on the podcast. Welcome. How's it going? I'm good. How are you? I'm doing very well.

You can't avoid me. We almost made this happen in New York. We almost did it in person. but Sean Levy and a galaxy far, far away, beckoned. But we'll make dispensation for that. For that, I can excuse you. Thank you. Thank you.

I do wonder who's actually left making that Star Wars film now because I was just hosting the Stranger Things carpet in L.A. And Sean was there. You're in L.A. Is Ryan Gosling just directing the movie himself back in London? What's happening? Oh, well, we've been shooting... I don't even know if I can say, but Sean's been working with his, the same crew for years, you know, so he trusts them and, and, and, and so it was, he, he has people in place that, you know, a kind, that we're able to, to take over for those couple of days. And it was, it was, it was totally seamless.

Excellent, excellent. How is it for you kind of like switching back and forth? Obviously, you're in the middle of this ginormous production. And then you also have this, this amazing, beautiful thing that is clearly now, it's resonating with audiences with critics. It's now on Netflix. Like a gazillion people are watching this. Are you able to kind of enjoy this moment or is your head in the work? Is it hard to kind of go back and forth? it's a you know it is it gosh it's a lot it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's it's a lot to uh to juggle but i um i feel i see i i just i feel so fortunate and so grateful to to to to be in this position and and and you know it's it's all just such a joy to to to be able to do this to to you know to be working on on on projects that I'm I'm really excited about and to help promote you know a movie that I'm also immensely proud of it's none of it's a lot but none of it feels like work it just it just feels you know like I'm I'm I'm living my dream the thing that I've always

wanted to do it I'm just I can't believe it I just it's it's it's it's it's well it's No, I mean, to look, I've been wanting to have you on the pod for a while because I've really admired what you've been doing with your career. The choices you're making, the big swings you're taking, the filmmakers you're clearly attracted to. So I'm glad it's happening now because there's a lot to talk about, both in the past and the future. I mean, at this specific moment, you're in L.A. I know you're on this little break. And I saw that you were at the Governor's Awards last night, which speak of like surreal, you know, pinch me. let's take a moment to let it seep in moments.

That must be quite a room to be in. You've been in some big rooms, but was that overwhelming to be there? Yeah, yeah, it is. It's always surreal. And, you know, it was actually my second time going to the Govdas. I went a few years back with Pearl, and that was my first time.

But it's interesting because it feels, you know, it does feel a little different this time around. You know, having had the opportunity to, to work with Guillermo del Toro and have that experience. I do feel a little more rooted in this industry. You know, it's given me a lot of confidence. And I guess it's given me, it's just given, I think it's given me a lot of validation.

You know, I've always felt like an outsider, always felt as though, you know, I wasn't, you know, I wasn't meant to be in those rooms and, and, you know, working with Guillermo, it's just given me a lot of, yeah, much-needed confidence in myself. And, you know, the rooms are still surreal and, you know, I was talking to Tom Cruise at one point and I was like, it's totally bizarre, but it's different, it's a little different now. And I do credit working with Guillermo for a lot of that. Well, like, I get it because, you know, I've known him for years, too. And he's the sweetest, like, most human embodiment of the love of film, like, for the right reasons. And he puts everybody at ease because he's just like

this, like, the geek who made good. And like, you know, in that room, he's, he's, he, everyone obsesses over Guillermo because he's just like, it seeps out of him. He's like Tarantino that way. in getting to know him in being on that set I mean it's got to be overwhelming in some ways the sets are gigantic that everything about it

is like as big and bold as you get but does it kind of compensate because Guillermo is such a warm presence does he put you at ease give me a sense of sort of how that worked for you

yeah yeah it does I mean I was totally overwhelmed the entire time I mean we were shooting that from February to October of last year and that never I was never able to get over the fact that he was Guillermo del Toro,

and I wish I had been able to, but I couldn't. I always, I was very aware of the fact that I was working with Guillermo on the movie that you've always wanted Guillermo del Toro to make. Right. And I was in my head a lot, and I remember just feeling very scared and overwhelmed, and I remember landing in Toronto, and just, just, it was a very pressurized environment. You know, everyone knew what time. it was. It's it's it's it's Kimo making the movie that you've always wanted him to make and

you know maybe other people was I'm sure everyone was aware of that but I don't know it I was just constantly in my head and looking back at that time I wish I could have kind of gotten out of my way a little more but I I do believe that there's something mystical that takes place and movies and roles they find you when they're meant to find they come to you at the point that they're meant to come to you and there's a certain point where I realize you know well it's not going away I just feel totally overwhelmed and scared and as though I'm just going to completely fail at this and maybe I just work with that as opposed to you know trying to impose my will on how I think how I think I should be feeling and what I want the scene to go like and I just

release myself to the process because if I start trying to micromanage how I feel I'm actually just closing up parts of me and that's not good for the work you just got to work with whatever's coming to you and that helped but you know

I said that Guillama del Toro was just one of the joy, just so joyful one of the kindest people I've ever met you know sometimes he would just send me a basket of ice cream to my home because he's just so kind and thoughtful like that.

You know, my daughter's birthed and she was obsessed with dinosaurs at that time. So he sent her this huge package with everything dinosaur related. And I mean, he just goes above and beyond and really such a dream to work with.

It's, I mean, the stuff you were talking about at the beginning of that answer really resonates. It's the thing that comes up throughout the 700 plus conversations I've had on this podcast,

which is imposter syndrome, which is like, you know, whether you're starting out or Gary Oldman doing it for 50 years, fear, inadequacy. It kind of never goes away. I guess it's about kind of just keeping it at bay so it's not debilitating. And as you say, it's also like, you know, finding that comfort level.

You can be, you know, I guess, nervous in your trailer, nervous at the hotel the night before. As long as once the cameras are up, you can shut out the noise and do what you can do, it's all going to come out. Okay. Yeah. You know, I've just started telling everyone that I'm scared. You know, there's been moments when we were about to shoot a scene and then the cameras are rolling. And then I'll just look at my actor and I'll just say, I, you know, I actually kind of think, I'll just say, I'm really scared. And then I'll start the scene. And then just being able to say that out loud and being able to be vulnerable like that actually really helps get into into the moment as opposed to trying to hide things. I just reveal everything. And I find that that's been helpful.

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and hit follow, unless you want the show to follow you. Jacob did the pod a couple weeks ago, and we had a lovely chat, and he, you know, he's sublime in this film as, as are you. And it's the stuff between the two of you is really beautiful. And I'm just curious, you know, we talked, you know, he obviously kind of dropped in, not quite at the last minute, but late in the process. Andrew Garfield, it's well known, was supposed to play this role. I'm curious, like, did you ever, like, even, like, start to rehearse or talk to Andrew? Like, were you, like, going down that road with him before Jacob? came in? No. No. I bumped into Andrew at some events shortly before we were meant to start out filming together, but that

that's it. Okay. And, and and then no, we, what happened? It was, me, Guillermo and Jacob went for a dinner here in L.A. And then

you know, a few weeks later, we were all in Toronto and the process began you know but I do I do remember thinking to myself oh of course this is how the creature comes about you know he's been living on the outskirts

of society for centuries he's not going to be attached to the project for 18 months before we start shooting he's going to come you know at the 11th foul and he's going to reveal himself and and there he is and it and it felt

it felt perfect And he's not such an incredible job with the creature. So playing those scenes between the two of you, I mean, you talk to you, obviously, you're a mom. And it strikes me. I've watched the film three times now, actually. And seeing those scenes, especially between the two of you, there is this obviously childlike play that, you know, he's a baby, as it were in some ways. Did that enter your mind? Like, did you flash to your own moments being a mom when you're doing some of the scenes with Jacob?

Yeah, I definitely, you know, I, definitely. you know, I do see Elizabeth as, I came to see her as this montage of femininity where she isn't just one thing. And one side of her is this incredibly maternal nurturing aspect to her. When I actually saw the creature, Jacob, in the prosthetics for the first time, I was actually with my daughter. And he just so happened to be walking past a corridor and I was with my daughter. and she saw him for the first time. And it wasn't planned. It was just happened to be.

But she immediately ran up to him. And she wasn't scared at all. There was no fear. It's just nothing but curiosity and a playfulness to her and the interaction that she had with him. And that really struck me. And I took note of that. And I think that, you know,

if you're going to be presented with, someone like the creature for the first time that you do need to have this purity and this own child like quality and curiosity to the world. And so I kind of stole a little bit of her from that interaction and incorporated it into Elizabeth. It's also interesting. I was thinking about this as I was starting to think about the kind of roles you've done and the stuff I've really enjoyed you in. In a weird way, this is like, you know, against type for you. You are, you are playing the character characters that are kind of the least scary, the least extreme, in a Frankenstein movie.

One might think, oh, like going in, Mia Gough, she's going to be crazy in Frankenstein. You're not. You're actually, your sanity in a world filled with insanity in this film. Was that kind of a refreshing?

Did that strike you? It was kind of a little bit against type for you? Yeah. Yeah. And that's, you know, one of the reasons why I wanted to do this because I don't just want to do one thing. And, you know, I do remember

there were a lot of times where, you know, I've been, I guess I've been working in a specific framework, you know, with the characters and the places that those characters need to go, that there were times during filming where Guillermo would have to pull me back and he would say, no, less, me, less, less.

I'm like, okay, okay, and there was one thing where... We know you're capable of giving more. You've got a lot at your disposal. Yeah, yeah. And I think, you know, I think that that part of that is like an insecurity of mine as a human, as a performer, needing to go really big so you know that I can get there. And then if you need to pull me back, then that's one thing. But I would rather a director tell me, can you do less as opposed to we need more, you know?

And so there was one scene where we were, I was shooting with Oscar. and and then and I thought it was really good and I think Oscar did do and then he came up and he's like no it's um it's too vulgar it's oh okay interesting he's like yeah yeah if it was a uh what do you say he's like

if it was a Casavetti's movies yeah then like like do that but that's not what we're making I'm like okay and then we he was like really like redirected it and um and and and the scene turned out beautifully and it was, yeah, it was an interesting process. So what kind of direction at this point do you generally like? I mean, have you kind of figured out?

You've worked with all manners of directors already in the career. But like, what do you respond to? What do you not respond to? I don't know, do you have, like, predilections for the kind of directors that you seem to get the most out of? I don't, I don't respond to, I don't respond to line readings. You know, when a director comes up to you and he's like, I was just thinking it should be, that, that, that, that drives me.

That'll shut you off. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Or, you know, when you walk into a set and they've already blocked it out, that drives me nuts. Because if they say, so I was thinking that you come and sit here

and then he'll come and then you stand up at that. Like, that could be the right blocking. But the fact that you've now told me, it's just put a mental block in my head, at least let me find out it that really frustrates me um but you know i did just work with um christopher nolan on on the odyssey and i was really taken by his direct i mean i was taken by the entire process and and everything about him and his direction in particular i found to be um astonishing actually the way that he talks to his act

is everything is so applicable. And actually the way that he talks about direction and character, it's almost like music that everything, the way he sees a scene, the way he breaks it down. And I found, yeah, I found working with him to be. It's not surprising. I mean, of course, I spoke to, like, all those folks working on Oppenheimer and throughout.

And, like, they just, the way he, you know, you would have these preconceived notions. I mean, he makes the biggest films imaginable. You feel like it's probably a giant crew, but at the end, it sounds like you really can dial it in. He can really like make it feel like it's you and him and that small team. And he somehow shuts out the noise, which is a hell of an accomplishment for the kind of movies that he makes. So I'm excited to hear that you say that. Yeah.

All right, can we go backwards a little bit? Just discuss a little bit. This is Your Life Mia Gott, since we have some time. Do I have the full name right? Mia Gypsy Mello de Silva Ga, that's quite a handful. Yeah, that's the name. That's a good one. Yeah, yeah.

Parts it out for me. Okay. So it's not as interesting once you break it down. I'll be in terms of that. So you know how some, so Mia Gypsy is my first name. So you know, there's Mary Kay, there's, you know, there's kind of, mine is me a gypsy. And then Mello de Silva, my mom is Brazilian, and that's my mom's last name. And it's a beautiful name, but it's also quite common in Brazil.

It's actually like a Smith or Jones, one of those. So she put that and that. And Goff is my dad's last name. Okay. Yeah. It's still interesting. Now, was there ever a consideration of a different professional name? Was it ever Mia Gypsy goth?

That's also compelling. It never even occurred to me. I mean, it worked out. Don't get me wrong. I'm not criticizing. I'm just saying it's a good name. I've only recently started to embrace it. For the longest time, you know, when I was a kid, I would always say to my mom, like,

why can I be Caitlin? You know, but now that I'm older, I actually, you know, I love it. But, no, I think me agoff, it never even occurred. My name didn't even occur. It was, it's just my name. It worked out. As a kid, introvert, extrovert. If I talked to your mom, friends, Mia at 10, at 12, what would they describe you as?

A real introvert. Yeah, a real introvert. I traveled a lot as a kid from place to place. So nothing ever really felt very stable. You know, when I was in grade five, I went to seven schools in one year. So I was constantly in these new rooms with new kids, and it really kind of set the tone for my makeup, I guess, and how I am. You know, I walk into a room and I definitely have to read the temperature of the room and make sure that I'm safe before I, you know, reveal myself. But then once I do, you know, a full weirdo, but it takes time to get to that.

By the end of the podcast, we'll get to the full weirdo. So in terms of, I know there is some acting history. during the family, I believe your grandmother, correct? Yeah. So how much time was spent, like, do you have vivid memories of being on set as a kid? And did that make an impression? Yeah, yeah. I moved to Brazil when I was two weeks old.

And I lived with my grandma until I was five. And she would take me to, so my earliest memories are of that, of being on set and behind the camera and watching her, whether that be on, you know, tell a november. or seeing her in the theater and thinking to myself, you know, I want to do that. And it's kind of what I've always wanted to do and always kind of what I knew I would do in a way. And yeah, I have incredibly fun memories of her of that time. Yeah. And what were you, what were you into as a kid?

Like, do you remember the first films, filmmakers, actors that you kind of got obsessed with? Well, when I was really young, you know, I would watch, I would watch, I would watch, um, free willie. Sure. Of course. That's exactly what I was expecting you to say. I was waiting for you to say, it's probably going to be free willy if I had to come. But then I also, so there were a movie like that that I would watch on repeat and Lion King and Moulon. Those are like the movies that I would return to again and again and again.

But there were also other movies, you know, movies that I shouldn't have been watching with my grandma when I was very young. And I remember my grandma was always such a huge Sean Penn fan. And we would watch 21 grams together. And I remember being really struck by that movie. And she's a Brazilian. And so she speaks with a Portuguese, you know, she speaks Portuguese. And when she would say, oh, Sean, Sean Penn, like, incredible. I always thought his name was Champ Champagne

So I thought he was actually champagne For the longest time, Champagne But no, I remember that being That movie really sticking with me And the performances and how raw And it's just, it's an incredible film Was it was Ina Ritu or Sean in that room last night Yeah, yeah, Enirate was, yeah, yeah, he, yeah, he, yeah, he actually presented Tom Cruise with the, with the, right, because he just directed him, right? Yeah, yeah, which I'm really looking forward to seeing. Same, same, same. So, yeah, no, I mean, yeah, it is always those films or filmmakers, right, that we see a touch too young. It's like, for so many of us, it's like the David Lynch movie that, like, we shouldn't have watched when we were 12. I probably saw Blue Velvet way too young, but,

It kind of just fires something in your brain of like, what is this? Should I be watching this? And it just draws you in deeper and deeper, doesn't it? Yeah. Yeah. I remember Pulp Fiction being one of those. Yeah. Yeah, I remember watching that. I knew my sermon doing the dance and being recreating it.

Totally. Hey, Michael. Hey, Tom. Well, big news to share it, right? Yes, huge, monumental, earthshaking. Heartbeat sound effect, big. Mates is back. That's right.

After a brief snack nap. We're coming back. We're picking snacks? We're eating snacks. We're raiding snacks. Like the snackologist we were born to be. Mates is back. Mike and Tom, eat snacks.

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Pickle Bottom Everyday Mysteries is perfect for kids and is just as entertaining for grownups who love a good mystery. The whole family can listen now wherever you get your podcasts. So when do you start to, before an infomaniac, are you auditioning like crazy? Like, where were you at in terms of pursuing acting when that opportunity came? I started, I signed to an acting agency when I was 16 and so I started auditioning at that point um and I auditioned for almost three years and I never got anything and I was closed and but something would always happen and nothing came from it um and then just as I was finishing my my A levels my six form in in London I began auditioning for an infamaniac and uh I went through that it was quite a

at Lentfrey Process. There was a couple of editions in London, and then I had to fly to Copenhagen and meet Lars there. And then I got the call that I didn't get it. And I was heartbroken by it. And I, you know, then I got my exam results back. And I remember sitting on the train, like opening my exam results. And they were really bad. And I was like, oh, fuck. And then as I was in that moment, I got a call. And my age. agent said that, well, you know, you didn't get the role that you went for, but Lars would love for you to play P. And I said, I'll do anything. That's amazing. And so, and, you know, a few weeks later, I was in Cologne. And, um, and that's where it started. And I remember that there's, there's a river in Cologne. And, uh, I remember I was like having a little roll up and I was thinking,

ah, I made it. Here I am. Lars von Trier and Cologne smoking my cigarette. And it's still one of my favorite experiences of all time. I mean, what an experience, what a filmmaker to kind of set off a career. You kind of can't write it any better than that. Prior to that, you were saying like you were auditioning for literally years. So what's the, like, is there a plan B? Like was there like another year or two of this? What am I going to do?

No. No, that was never a plan B. There was never a plan B. I always thought to myself, you have a plan B, you need to put all your eggs in one basket. Because if you don't, if you have a plan, if you only have a plan A, and if that doesn't work, then you're fucked, then plan A has to work. Yeah.

That was always my thinking. Yeah. That's probably wise. So how did the Lars experience sit with you? I mean, a lot of, you know, notable actors have been kind of crushed by him, invigorated by him. I just talked to Stell and Scarsguard. he still speaks very fondly of Lars. What was your experience with him?

Amazing. It was one of it, you know, I think he was very aware of the fact that I was so young at the time. I was 18 and that he had children the same age as me. And so he was incredibly protective of me. And, you know, I think that that first experience just really just set the blueprint, I guess, to the kind of directors that I aspire to work with and the actors. And I remember meeting Charlotte Gainsberg and William Defoe and Stellan and all of these giants of performers, you know,

and just, I think those first few people that you meet early on in your career really kind of sets the precedent for kind of really lays groundwork. And I just feel very, very grateful that it happened to be with those guys. I think the first time, I guess I'd probably, I'd say, seen you in Infomaniac, but the time that really registered, it was a very prominent role in a cure for wellness, which was a big, like, you know, it was a hyped up film at the time. Not enough people saw it, because it's a beautiful, horrific movie from Gore Vibinsky, finally making another movie again. It's about to come out. I'm excited for that.

What was your experience in that? And that's such an otherworldly, freaky movie. And the stuff you get, you do in that movie is pretty, it's pretty wild. Yeah. That was the first time I really felt, you know, with Infomaniac, it was a smaller role and so I would come in and out and I wouldn't really, I didn't really have the opportunity to immerse myself from the, experience from beginning to end. And I was really longing for that and to see what that felt like. So Curefranos offered me that opportunity where I landed and I really formed such a close relationship with Gore. and the other cast members and and and and that was really you know and I was just in I was just shooting a lot more and so I was really able to be with my character and kind of create an

arc and and and just really see it all from start to finish and I and I was desperate for that experience and that movie gave gave me that and I learned a lot it must have all I mean speaking to that obviously the collaboration with highway must be stand at or above nearly every other experience because you get a chance to really, you know, form a close collaborator. You obviously, you know, co-wrote on one of the films. You helped kind of craft the story, the saga. Did you entai immediately click on a creative level, or did that take time?

It's pretty immediate. Yeah. It was pretty immediate. You know, I really. connected with Maxine and I really recognized her within me and her desire to succeed and to

make a life for herself and you know I guess Maxine in that trilogy that was the first time that I was leading a movie for the first time and that was something that I had wanted to do for a very long time and felt that I could do, but I just hadn't been given that opportunity yet. And so Maxine and her own dreams resonated with me, and I connected with her on that.

And I think Ty recognized that, and that's probably one of the reasons why he gave me the role. And so, yeah, I just, I relished in it. And we went to New Zealand. We filmed that in New Zealand during COVID, and we were really in our own little bubble, and an A24 just kind of let us do whatever we wanted. the best. Do you have a favorite among the trilogies? It's hard to you separate

those three films from each other? I love them all but I would say maybe Pearl because I was just so involved in the entire process with the writing and the exception of it and I helped Ty produce

create the deck that we then presented to A24 and I was really a part of the other side of the filmmaking process that I had never been involved with before and I love that. It's something that I would like to do more of. I also, I'll shout out another movie that not enough people have seen, but

Infinity Pool, I think, is a wild, great movie from Brandon Prenenberg and you and Scarsguard is, like, you and Scarsguard, like, feel like matched in a way. Like, you both, like, take these wild swings, you, like, are attracted to really cool, interesting filmmakers.

Did you find a Sympadico with Alex on that one, you think? Yeah. Yeah, I love Alex. He's one. He's great. He's fearless. He'll try anything, you know?

And that's my kind of actor. And he's very generous too. He'll ask you if you need anything more from him. He's very present with you. And you have fun with it. You explore scenes. You do things that aren't on the page. It's, he's a dream poster.

As you're, I mean, especially with the, you know, Maxine and Pearl and X, like your, you know, your stature in the industry, your, your, your fame increased, like, just to John Q. public. Do you feel like at this point, I don't know, like, what are your, what are your interactions with fans like now? How do they interact with you? What do they say to you generally? Is there a typical Mia goth fan that you found? Um, I just. really um it's just really loving and really supportive and and and and it's just very sweet and

it just all it all feels very genuine and none of it feels overwhelming it's it's it's not it's it's not at that point where it's um you know i'm trying to to uh you know run away from it in any way if anything it just feels like the world's become like a little village you know, while you're walking down the street and people say hi, and you're like, hey. And it's like, it's like everyone knows everyone. But it's all very respectful and, you know, I'm surprised. There's a lot of people that have shown me, um, Pearl tattoos. Oh, I'm sure.

And that's, that's, that's, that's being pretty incredible. But yeah, they're just, they're very sweet and, and, and, and, and it's. No, it's all love. It's good. It comes from a good place. Is there, is there, so. Pearl tattoos, is there a character and fiction in film that you would ever consider tattooing on your body? That's a commitment. I wouldn't for the record.

I don't know. I don't think I would. No, free willy? What about free willy? Maybe just get a tattoo? Maybe. Just the thought. Just the thought. I'll consider it. Okay, okay. You were talking, we were talking about the early days of auditioning. Where are you out with auditioning nowadays? Like, I mean, are you the kind of person that kind of goes big or goes home? I feel like Mia Gauth walks into an audition room. She's going to bring a take. She's going to bring a strong take. Yeah.

Yeah. I've always been like that. Yeah. I've always, I remember, you know, when I was auditioning a lot earlier on, I'd always listen to Eminem in my headphones. You know, the song, One Shot. Yeah. I would listen to that on really.

And I would, I really would. I really would and I would sit in the audition room in the office and I would be that and I would always be early. You know what I mean? And I would write my name in the course sheet like really large, like me or golf. You're manifesting. You're making it happen. Yeah. And then I would always be nervous.

But I would always tell myself, if they could do it better, they'd be doing it instead of like the car. And I don't know. I would always just hype myself up in some way. Yeah. So that's what I would do. Because I didn't have a band beat. Right, there you go. Back to that.

Best audition experience you've ever had, whether you got the role or not, like you walked out of the room saying, I left it all out on the table. That made me feel like I did everything I could. You know what? I feel, I feel. I often, not to like toot my own horn, but I actually often, I often felt like I did really well in auditions and I really did enjoy the process.

And I just, you know, I just got such a high from it. I remember I would leave, like, well, whatever room I was in and it would just kind of carry me through. A similar high that you would get, you know, when you feel like you've done a good, scene on set for a film. There's just that there's nothing quite like it. And I think that that feeling is really what kept me going in those, you know, two, three years when I didn't book anything. I knew that I was doing what I could tell from the,

from how it went and the reception of it. But so that kept me going. But I actually did quite. I enjoyed it. So we referenced, you're in the middle of Star Wars. You referenced the Odyssey. Are those films that, are those auditions? Can you say, I don't, you know,

Those are the kind of films we can't reveal too much about the actual content. But, like, can you talk a little bit about how they at least came about? Yeah, no, I auditioned for The Odyssey. I auditioned, they gave me dummy sides. Right. So it had nothing to do with the script. And then I found out that Chris wanted to meet me. And I remember, you know, driving over to Universal and being so nervous.

that I wanted to throw up and I try to tell myself what a privilege it is to even feel this you know, this like you're so nervous you want to be sick and then I went in there and did the audition

and then I got the job and then I found out that and I had to accept the job before I could even read the script and find out what the role was so that was a new process so I said yeah I'll yeah I'm in and then after that I was a

And then they gave me the script. And I auditioned the towels. Well, before we get to that, I'm curious just a little bit on that. I also spoke to Elliot Page recently about that experience, which, you know, he was so invigorated to get to return to that, have that experience with Chris after all these years. And it was just gushing about, like, the sets and the technology behind how they're able to capture audio with IMAX now. Like, it's like he's just next level. Did anything surprise you about the way that set was right? run? I mean, was it kind of a relief that like, oh, this is gigantic, but this is still, it's still

just acting. It's still, it's still just a few actors on a set or in a room. Yeah. Yeah. Um, so again, you know, I was talking about working with Guillermo and how overwhelmed I felt, you know, and, and that's, um, and that, that was a place that I was at in a particular time for that movie. And it's funny because now, even with Star Wars and, and, and working with Nolan, Of course, there's that anxiety in those first few days of shooting, but after that, I started to feel, you know, better about the whole experience. But I think, again, Frankenstein gave me a confidence that I was desperately in need of for a long time. So, walking on to, I don't think I could have done Nolan without having that experience with Guillermo first. That makes sense.

And so, you know, I step onto that set. And yeah, it's completely overwhelming and totally surreal. But after a few days, you know, it does just feel like you're all in it together and you're making the movie. And yes, it is this huge production, but it did feel very intimate. And I think it's a testament to also how Nolan runs his set, which is quite a unique process too. You know, no one returns to their trailers. No one ever leaves the sets. there's no mobile phones there's no chairs on the set you can sit out back

in the outskirts of the studio but that's kind of looked down upon you everyone really is there together in it in it and it's amazing and actually one of the great things about that is the fact that you're not coming in and out like that you as an actor you really feel like you own that space and you're in it the whole time and it doesn't feel as though when the camera is on you and when it's your camera is on you and when it's your take or you don't feel like you have to add anything extra you've been in it the whole time if that makes sense it does and that was really helpful yeah so you were talking so star wars is an audition is that Sean in the room is gozzling in the room when that happens that was on Zoom that was on Zoom and that was a few times on Zoom and it was Sean. Gosling wasn't there. And kind of dummy sides again?

Like, did you have a sense of what this role was going to be? No, there were sides. There were sides. And the sides were great. Okay. The sides were great. Were you a Star Wars fan? Is this meaningful for you to be a part of a Star Wars movie?

Yeah. Well, I watched the George Lucas movies with my dad when I was growing up. And so those in particular have, a special place in my heart. And it's, it's, it's being, I didn't know what it was going to be, but I really am having such an incredible time. Sean has an energy that I've never met in any other.

Have he, have he, yeah, yeah, yeah. He's just, he's electric and it has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the set. He's so excited. He's so inspired. And it's, it's contagious. and and everyone else, you know, benefits from it. And it really is, it's, I'm having, it's an incredible experience. And you like your character?

You're, we're going to enjoy what, you know? Yeah, no, she's very cool. She's very cool. Yeah. More to come on that. And then the last thing I do want to mention, like, it must feel so surreal for people to ask you about Blade for years and years and years.

Poor Merhershal, he's been answering questions for six years. I mean, what does it feel like from your vantage point to kind of like you're still attached, ostensibly, but it kind of goes through these iterations. Like, it must be frustrating. I don't know as an actor. You just don't want to know, is it happening or not? Give me a sense of your perspective on it. I mean, I don't know what's going on with that. I think that they want to make it.

And it's such an important. important film for them that they're taking their time with it. I really don't have any information. I don't know why, you know, it's taken the time that it has. But it's, you know, we will see. We will see. It's something. Yeah, we will see. Was, what were you excited by at least like the iteration that was supposedly in the 1920s and you were, I guess, this character, Lilith. Like, was that, were you ready? Was it like, this is happening, I'm ready for that? Yeah, yeah. I mean, we never really even, the fervest that it got with me is that I went and I, I auditioned for that too, actually. I auditioned for that.

And I flew to Atlanta and we did a chemistry test between Mahershler and I and we did a costume fitting and a wig fitting and I was very excited in the direction that it was going. It was very cool. And Mahershala had such an interesting take on it. He was great. And then it just, you know, unraveled from there, unfortunately.

We'll see if it comes back around. Fingers crossed. I'm going to let you go on this. We end every happy, say, I'm confused with the profoundly random questions, Mia. Here's some rapid fire for you. Ready? Yeah. Dogs or cats?

Dogs. It's the great answer. It's the great. It's okay. Do you collect anything? Do I collect anything? No, not really. Not really.

I'm actually constantly in a process of trying to get rid of things. That works too. Yeah, yeah. I don't, you know, I travel a lot and I realize when I'm on the road, like how little I actually need. So I'm constantly purging. Do you ever a video game player? Do you have a favorite video game you ever played?

No, I'm not a video game player. Okay, that's okay. This is the Dakota Johnson. memorial question she asked me this i am obligated to ask everybody this would you rather have a mouthful of bees or one be in your butt don't blame me blame dakota be in my butt yeah yeah again what about you yeah yeah who wants no one little guy no yeah yeah uh what's the wallpaper on your phone. It's my daughter.

I figured. Yeah, she's my, yeah, my, I love it. Last actor you were mistaken for, Mia, does that ever happen? Hmm. No. I think you're singular. This is good. This is good.

Um, what's the worst note of director has ever given you? Oh, gosh. Again, it's not the note. It's they come up to you and I was thinking, not so much like that, but. Right. Right. Okay. Okay.

And then, yeah, yeah. And then in the spirit of happy, say, confused, an actor who always makes you happy. You see them on screen. You're immediately in about, mood. Joaquin Phoenix. Good.

Movie that makes you sad? Blue Valentine. That's a rough one. That's a rough watch. And finally, a food that makes you confused. You don't get it. Why do people eat that? Marmite.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. We don't have to deal with that too much in the States. Yeah, I don't know what they're doing. I don't know what's about it. Yeah, what are they doing? You put, you put some, you get a piece of toast on the plate and then, and then you're just destroying it with Marmite. I just, you don't.

The butter's right there. Yeah. Yeah. Or the peanut butter or we just. Nutella, if you really want to go to town. Come on, guys. Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

Not Marmite. Not Marmite. Mia, we did it. Congratulations on Frankenstein. An exceptional piece of work from the whole team, including yourself. And I'm happy this happened. Thank you for taking time away from your busy life. as mom, as an actor, doing all the things.

I appreciate you. And next time in person, hopefully. Yeah. Thank you so much, Josh. It was lovely talking to you. And so ends another edition of happy, sad, confused. Remember to review, rate, and subscribe to this show on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm a big podcast person.

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