The star and director break down their new tech thriller, which hits HBO Max on Feb. 10.
Such is the basic idea behindKIMI, HBO Max’s new tech thriller from Oscar-winning directorSteven Soderbergh.
Soderbergh first heard the idea for the film from screenwriter David Koepp, and he was hooked instantly.
Steven Soderbergh (center) on the set of ‘KIMI’ with Zoe Kravitz.Claudette Barius/Warner Bros.
“And I thought, ‘Of course there is, of course there is.
And, why hadn’t I thought of that before?’
The film’s namesake, though, was the brainchild of the director.
Zoe Kravitz as Angela Childs in ‘KIMI’.HBO Max and Warner Bros. Pictures
“I think this is the only time this has occurred.
I never have ideas like that.
I don’t know why this was in my head, but it was,” says Soderbergh.
Zoe Kravitz as Angela Childs in ‘KIMI’.HBO Max and Warner Bros. Pictures
For Kravitz, working onKIMIdid nothing to assuage her worries.
“I think it validated what I was already feeling.
It freaks me out.
It’s just solving problems that aren’t problems, like where the nearest sushi restaurant is.
We don’t need to solve that.
We need to solve Syria.
So that’s my frustration.
It’s so powerful and ubiquitous, but it doesn’t solve anything we need to solve.”
“She’s a problem-solver, and she doesn’t panic.
“I think people who are good at things are fun to watch…. Proficiency is compelling.”
The film takes place roughly now, so amid a pandemic.
So, she proposed that Angela should have blue hair.
“And how many of my friends cut bangs during the pandemic and how many changed their hair color?
So just finding ways to feel in control and experience some kind of change.
I might be OCD and not know that I’m OCD.'
“We decided this is additive.
So we were just chasing reality.”
I think there’s this expectation to just kind of get back to work and go back to normal.
On a personal level, though, Kravitz found the isolated role “really challenging.”
She continues, “It’s vulnerable for sure, but I think that was a good challenge.
You just want to watch her because she looks smart and engaged.
