Winona Ryder looks back on decades of action, the last movie and the next chapter – Metro Philadelphia

By María Estévez, MWN

From “Beetlejuice” to “Stranger Things”, Winona Ryder has established herself as an actress halfway between the strange and the endearing. Since her very first role in the movie “Lucas” in 1985, the American actress has made a name for herself and starred in major franchises like “Star Trek”. And now she’s becoming the horror lady of the era with a new project called “Gone In The Night.”

In a mystery thriller, directed by Eli Horowitz, Ryder plays Kath, a divorced woman in her forties who tries to enjoy a weekend getaway with her boyfriend Max (John Gallagher Jr.) at the early thirties in a secluded cabin rental. The problems start when their Airbnb is double-booked with another couple. The four agree to share the space for the night but when Kath wakes up in the morning, she finds that Max has run away with Greta (Brianne Tju), the other couple’s girlfriend.

Metro sat down with Ryder for more.

In this film, you play as a woman with a boyfriend who is basically her child. Tell us more.

This scenario was different. She was much more than something in the service of the plot. So it was a great opportunity to work on a great story written by Horowitz.

You seem to play the unconventional mothers. Why is that?

It’s like all the Marsha Mason movies that were so great, and “Alice doesn’t live here anymore.” I’m not comparing mine to those movies, but you watch Marsha Mason in those movies, and she’s a powerhouse. There is something so heartbreaking and human about them.

What do you think of the ending of “Stranger Things”?

The reaction to the show has been completely overwhelming in the best possible way. I signed on to ‘Stranger Things’ because it was a role I had never done and it was a genre I had never done and it allowed me to start a new chapter in my career. of actor.

How does it feel to have developed a new generation of fans thanks to “Stranger Things”?

Well, that’s exciting to me because they’re young. A lot of them are quite young, and I think that’s important and timely. So I’m very excited for people to watch it. I think it affects you. It’s a guttural, visceral thing that happens when you watch it. I also really enjoyed the kind of complexity between our characters.

You have a reputation for being a little weird, forgive me for saying that.

[Laughs] I’ve always been a weirdo. Even when I shot “Beetlejuice”. I had just entered puberty and Lydia’s character helped me understand what I was going through. I never thought of myself as attractive or popular, but I was lucky enough to work with directors who understood me. As an actress, I was very lucky because the experience alone is already a reward for me.

Did the return to the big screen take a long time?

Yes. I deliberately took time. During this break, I moved to San Francisco and started a new stage. I needed to be closer to my family.

How has Hollywood changed since you started working as an actress?

It’s a completely different industry. I feel like the public attention has waned. They don’t make period films anymore and I’ve done a lot of them in the past. Now it is much more difficult to succeed. I just turned 50 and I’ve been in this business for a long time, trust me when I tell you I know what I’m talking about.

Do you enjoy the acting process more now?

Yes. Even if each project is a different experience and you have to dig into the trunk of your personal memories to give each role the right feeling.

Do you usually read what is published about you?

No. I don’t even have a computer, my email address is on the phone. It is a world that confuses others. My parents are both writers and their articles are always commented on by the public. Sometimes these messages affect them more than they would like.

What reaction did you expect after your return to “Stranger Things”?

It is very difficult for me to see myself through the eyes of the spectator. I can’t sit here and talk like I’m an icon, on the contrary, I try to stay away from labels. As an artist, I am interested in participating in projects that show the variety of my interpretative register. I don’t want to fall into the stereotype of a character style. I remember when I made the movie “Reality Bites” no one expected it to be a success and suddenly all the actors became the new generation X.

Do you consider yourself an ambitious woman?

I have already been asked questions about my ambition and the truth is that I do not think so. I started this job very young and I did it for pleasure.

Didn’t having a normal childhood affect you?

When I look back, I see how I was judged, I analyze that moment, and I find something within me that could handle that situation differently. But I don’t want to be confused because it would drive me crazy. I am in a happy moment of my existence and this is how I want it to continue.

“Gone In The Night” is in theaters now and will be available on demand starting August 2.