On the surface, 65 throws a lot at viewers up-front -- introducing an ancient alien civilization, before throwing two of them onto a prehistoric world full of dinosaurs. At the heart of the film is a character-driven drama, focusing on two very different people with no easy means of communication, learning to empathize and understand the similar pain they're experiencing. It's the heart that keeps the film moving, even as the chaos of dinosaur attacks could threaten to derail the entire experience.
The rapport between Mills (Adam Driver) and Koa (Ariana Greenblatt) ends up being one of the most effective elements of the film, and something that the young performer was excited to throw herself into. Ahead of 65's theatrical release on Mar. 10, CBR sat down with Ariana Greenblatt and discussed what attracted her to the project, her unspoken bond with co-star Adam Driver, and why 65 is the perfect kind of film to see in theaters.
CBR: 65 is a lot of things. We're talking dinosaurs, a wilderness thriller, a character drama, and more. What was it about this wild fusion of genres that caught your attention?
Ariana Greenblatt: The main thing that got me really intrigued and excited was the fact that I could work with Adam Driver. I've always thought he's a fantastic actor. So it was like a one-on-one with Adam Driver in New Orleans? Sounds great -- sign me up! That was definitely what caught my eye at first. Then I realized that they'd be cutting my hair, and I wouldn't be speaking in a normal language, and we're running away from dinosaurs. I was like, that's also really great, and I'm here for it.
Speaking of your rapport with Adam, it's something you two had to find without much in the form of dialogue. What was it like developing that on-screen bond without one of the most common tools in a performer's arsenal?
It was definitely an interesting concept when I first found out about that, but [during] filming, it became really natural. Really learning how to communicate what you're thinking and what you're feeling, just by your eyes and how you move your body is incredibly, like, cool and fun to experiment with. Adam and I got to understand each other on a different level because of that.
Let's say we're both freezing, and we're both over it, and we just want to get some food and go home. We can look at each other for two seconds and know that's how we're feeling. It's a whole different language really, and communicating with your eyes is so special. I'm really happy I got to exercise that.
From your perspective, what makes 65 perfect for going and seeing in theaters?
I think Adam, Scott, Brian, and I thoroughly enjoy the process of going to the theater and watching it [in] a dark room [with] a big screen and loudspeakers. I've always loved going to the movies with my friends [and] family. I think it's such a great way to spend your time. We're all movie lovers, [and] we [were] like, we got to put this into theaters. The score is beautiful, the music is so suspenseful, it adds exactly what it needs. You have to hear it super loud. I would love for a bunch of people to hear my incredibly loud [screams] in the theater.
65 opens in theaters Mar. 10