Samara Weaving enthusiastically accepted the role of Edie in the heist thriller Eenie Meanie, which also stars Karl Glusman, Andy Garcia, and Steve Zahn. Despite never having driven a car before—not even as a teenager in Canberra, Australia—Weaving auditioned quickly and connected deeply with her character, a former getaway driver pulled back into crime by an ex-lover.
She admits,
I didn’t know how to drive and I totally lied to everyone; I’d never been behind a wheel,
speaking from her Los Angeles home. Yet her determination was clear:
Usually, if I’m a bit scared of a role, I should do it.
From Reluctant Beginnings to Becoming a Scream Queen
Over recent years, Weaving has established herself as a prominent figure in horror cinema. Her breakthrough came with The Babysitter (2017), playing a cult-led antagonist in a coming-of-age slasher. She further solidified this status with roles in Ready or Not (2019) and Scream VI (2023), showcasing her ability to slip into chilling and darkly comic performances.
Despite this genre success, horror was not originally her preferred path. As a child, she found scary movies intimidating, even recalling how she had to leave the theater during 101 Dalmatians due to fear of Glenn Close’s Cruella de Vil. She explains:
I fell into it,
adding,
I was auditioning for everything under the sun and horror-comedy is what I got… It’s actually really hard, having to pretend that you’re being killed. There’s something bizarrely vulnerable about doing that.
Early Shyness and the Role of Drama School in Building Confidence
Young Samara was very shy, often hiding behind her parents’ legs, a stark contrast to her confident screen presence today. Reflecting on those days, she shares,
I was so shy, really early on,
and credits drama school with helping her come out of her shell.
She explains how the environment of drama classes provided a safe place for self-expression free from social pressures:
My parents got the idea to put me into drama school. That helped me get out of my shell because it was a safe space where you’re allowed to be weird. There are no social constructs, you don’t have to try and fit in or try to be cool. That really helped socially, and made me want to be an actor.
The Influence of Nicole Kidman’s Guidance
Throughout Weaving’s journey, Nicole Kidman’s advice has been instrumental in helping her embrace challenging roles, particularly in the horror genre. Kidman’s encouragement gave Weaving confidence to take risks and face fears, as demonstrated in her choice to learn driving for Eenie Meanie and to continue working in intense, vulnerable parts. This mentorship has contributed to Weaving’s evolution as a versatile actress unafraid to explore complex characters and emotional extremes.
The Growing Impact and What’s Next for Samara Weaving
Samara Weaving’s transformation from a shy child to a horror icon reflects her dedication and adaptability. Her willingness to tackle difficult roles, fueled by both personal determination and influential advice, signals a promising future in the film industry. With projects like the Ready or Not sequel recently completed and Eenie Meanie underway, audiences can expect Weaving to continue expanding her range while maintaining her unique intensity on screen.
