Carrie-Anne Moss is a woman with a dark past fighting for survival in a post-apocalyptic world inDie Alone. After holding supporting roles in a variety of TV shows, Moss became a household name with her role as Trinity inThe Matrixfranchise, following it up with major parts in everything fromChristopher Nolan’s breakout hitMementoto the zombie comedyFidoand Shia LaBeouf-led thrillerDisturbia. More recently, Moss has found success with Netflix’s Marvel Cinematic Universe shows, primarilyJessica Jones,Tell Me a Storyseason 2, Disney+‘sThe AcolyteandThe Matrix Resurrections.
Moss stars inDie Aloneas Mae, a woman hardened by years of survival in a world ravaged by an apocalypse in which a plant-based virus spread, turning those infected with it into plant-based zombies. One day, Mae reluctantly takes in Ethan, a young man with amnesia who seemingly has been asleep since before the apocalypse when he and his girlfriend, Emma, were involved in a car accident. Offering to help Ethan in his search to find Emma, Mae also works to prepare him for the dangers that lie ahead in the new world.
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Alongside Moss, the cast forDie AloneincludesSuperman & Lois’ Douglas Smith as Ethan, Kimberly-Sue Murray as Emma,Long Gone Heroes' Frank Grillo, Steven Roy, Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat, Jonathan Cherry, Amy Matysio and Sari Mercer. Hailing fromWolfCopmastermind Lowell Dean, the movie proves to be an interesting mix of post-apocalyptic horror, time-bending character drama and moving performances from its leads.
In anticipation of the movie’s release,Screen Rantinterviewed Carrie-Anne Moss to discussDie Alone, what drew her into Dean’s vision of the post-apocalypse, the fortuitous timing of having wanted to play a character like Mae just prior to reading the script, the comfort of getting to reunite with Smith for the movie, and putting together Mae’s unique appearance.
Moss Knew She Wanted To Play Mae “Right Away” Upon Reading The Script
“…this is a character I’ve never played before…”
Screen Rant: I watchedDie Aloneearlier this morning, and was gripped from start to finish. It is such a nicely unpredictable journey through this weird post-apocalypse. What about it really sparked your interest to want to be a part of it?
Carrie-Anne Moss: Yeah, I loved the story. I thought it was well-written. I loved the character of Mae, who I play. I right away wanted to play her, I wanted to have that experience. And then, I talked to Lowell Dean, who wrote it and directed it, and he had such a clear vision. I really was excited to be a part of it right from the get-go. I just thought, “Yeah, this is something I haven’t really seen before, this is a character I’ve never played before, and I want to.”
Finding Mae & Ethan’s Dynamic Was “Exceptionally Quick” For Moss & Smith
“There was no awkwardness, no time of having to figure it out…”
One thing I found interesting about this film is that it reunites you andDouglas fromThe Bye Bye Man, albeit in a slightly different dynamic from that film. What was it like getting to reteam with him and find Mae’s and his dynamic throughout this film?
Carrie-Anne Moss: Yeah, it was. I had also worked with him on another movie called The Boy Who Smells Like Fish [retitled to Treading Water] with Zoë Kravitz, they’re the leads. It might have changed name, I can’t remember, but yeah, so I’ve worked with him before, and he’s such an effortless person to be around. We’ve spent some time together, but we don’t know each other super well, but it feels familiar right away. And I find that with most people, to be honest, especially in my business, [it’s] not [like that] all the time, but with Douglas, it was exceptionally quick. Like right away, we were together in this movie. There was no awkwardness, no time of having to figure it out, it’s just right there.
Mae’s Hair Was A “Big, Big Part” To Crafting Her Look
“You want to make it believable, hopefully.”
So, in talking about Mae, she has such a striking look, whether it’s the hair or, obviously, the scar, which has a story to it, or even just her actual outfits, I’d love to hear how you went about working with Lowell and everybody else to really find Mae’s look to bring to life on screen.
Carrie-Anne Moss: Yeah, I think he has a great team surrounding him. The wardrobe woman, she was very clear [in her vision], and all the costumes, she did such a great job. They all have so much meaning for her, and the story, and it helped. She had such a backstory for me, and it was great. The hair was a big, big part. They added a lot of length and a lot of color, and that felt great. It took a long time, it was days. And then, of course, the scar really gives you that [sense] that you know she’s been through a lot. And I think, of course, it all brings the character together. It’s all of those things coming together, I think, that make it believable. You want to make it believable, hopefully.
Moss Feels It’s “Almost Like I Called” Her Character To Her
“I know that’s crazy, but that’s kind of how I think. [Chuckles]”
So, what did you find was one of the big keys to really connect to her, since she has so many layers of past and present, let’s say?
Carrie-Anne Moss: Well, I think that the script really carries that. I wouldn’t say I had to do anything too special. I had to know who she was, which I did the first minute I read her, which is not usual. I don’t usually have that. I have a very mystical view on what I do for work, and I trust that things are brought to me that I’m meant to do. I actually, just days before, had this moment outside. It was winter, walking out with a lot of coats on, and really feeling the weight of winter, and really feeling the weight of my spirit in a way that I don’t normally feel.
And I remember thinking — and this is an actor thing, so bear with me [Chuckles] — “Oh, this feeling would be kind of cool to play this.” And then I just kind of let it go, because I’ve got a pretty busy family life and everything. But it was three days later I read Mae, and Mae had that weight, and it’s almost like I called it in. I know that’s crazy, but that’s kind of how I think. [Chuckles] I just knew right away, I was like, “Yeah, I know exactly who this is, I felt her three days ago walking from my shed to the house in the depths of weather and cold and wind.” So, that’s kind of how it started for me.
This movie was truly destined for you then, really fortuitous timing!
Carrie-Anne Moss: I’ll have to have some different thought next time of something on a beach. [Laughs]
AboutDie Alone
Lost in a world reclaimed by nature and overrun by mysterious creatures, a young man with amnesia teams up with an eccentric survivalist to find his missing girlfriend.
Die Aloneis now available in theaters, on digital platforms and VOD.
Die Alone
Cast
In a dystopian future, a pandemic has ravaged society, leaving behind a landscape overrun by zombie-like creatures. A young man with amnesia teams up with a tough survivalist to track down his missing girlfriend. Along the way, they encounter a mysterious figure whose presence may unlock the secrets of the past.
