'The Flash' star Ezra Miller says lack of psychologist on set of controversial $8M critical hit affected their mental health
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Flash' star Ezra Miller once disclosed the profound impact portraying the disturbing character of a young mass shooter in the film 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' had on their mental well-being. Miller claimed that there was a lack of on-set mental health support during the filming process, which made it challenging for them to navigate the mindset of such a violent character without being affected.
Reflecting on the experience, Miller emphasized the need for on-set therapists, stating, "For 'We Need to Talk About Kevin,' there should have definitely been an on-set psychologist. Alas, we were all left to our own devices to self-soothe in the face of such dark subject matter," in an interview with Vanity. As of now, the 30-year-old is eagerly awaiting the release of 'The Flash' on June 16.
'I am just immensely uncomfortable being around you'
Apart from impacting them mentally, playing such an intense and disturbed character also took a toll on Miller's friendships. They recounted a clubbing experience with a friend who had recently watched the film, saying, "We were dancing and I thought that we were having a great time. He leaned over to me at one point, though, and said, 'Listen, Ezra. I have to go. I love you but I am just immensely uncomfortable being around you so soon after seeing that film'."
Despite the friend's reaction, Miller didn't take offense and saw it as a testament to the power of their performance. They stated, "If you can terrify your friends or make your mother cry with a performance, it shows the power of the art form and the power of the film." Miller also shared that they found solace in engaging in occasional music sessions with the crew during the filming of 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', saying, "I essentially allowed myself to be in a state of emotional discomfort during the time that we were making that film, but we did occasionally play music together—the writer [Rory Kinnear], the director [Lynne Ramsay], John C. Reilly, and the cinematographer, Seamus McGarvey. Loud, goofy music playing was one of the best methods of self-soothing."
'I always had enough faith that there was some goodness in myself'
However, most of the time, they chose to immerse themself in the emotional and physical discomfort that was true to the character's nature. Miller explained, "I ignored the self-soothing and allowed myself to exist in the emotional and physical discomfort that is true to the character." When Miller was questioned about the challenges they encountered in returning to a normal state after portraying such a violent character, they replied, "I always had enough faith that there was some goodness in myself that would await me on the other side of the abyss. I held confidence that even if I couldn't do it, my friends and family could potentially pull me back."