Zoë Kravitz Tripped on Shrooms, Got Slapped by Kathryn Hahn, and Loved Every Wild Minute

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⚠️ WARNING: This tale discloses spoilers from the ninth episode of Season 1 of “The Studio,” currently available on Apple TV+.

In this way, we’ve made the warning more conversational and easier to read for a general audience.

As I settled in to delve into the latest “The Studio” script, where Zoë Kravitz’s captivating character accidentally consumes mushrooms, I decided to immerse myself in the scene by subtly partaking myself – a SAG-nominated actor aiming for authenticity.

Kravitz shared that he’d been texting Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg some wild messages, as he was reminiscing about a past mushroom trip. He wanted to make his recollections as accurate as possible since it had been a while since he’d taken these psychedelic fungi. According to Kravitz, mushrooms are incredibly specific in their effects. He further explained that the rest of the experience is about letting go and feeling free. Essentially, the message is that when you’re under the influence of mushrooms, you’re not really in control.

In the second-to-last episode of this season, entitled “CinemaCon,” Kravitz indulges in cookies at a wild suite party organized by Continental Studios boss Matt Remick (Rogen). Unbeknownst to her, the seemingly ordinary “Hollywood feast” is actually spiked with psychedelic mushrooms. The twist lies in the fact that it’s the eve of CinemaCon, where Kravitz is due to deliver a significant presentation for her upcoming movie, “Blackwing.” As a result, it falls on Matt to rectify the situation and safeguard everyone’s employment.

The scene is quite grand, with almost all ensemble members present, even the visiting star Dave Franco who humorously exclaims: “You just consumed 21 grams of shrooooms!” Kravitz mentions that when she noticed how enthusiastic Franco was getting, she understood the importance of matching his energy. As she starts to eat the cookies, she does so.

Kravitz explained, “I figured if I balanced seriousness with relaxation, it would make things more amusing. So, I used this approach to gauge his behavior. If he was being serious, I’d be casual, and vice versa.” He continued, “It was a blast! The real challenge was keeping a straight face and not cracking up or breaking character – you don’t want to be the one who ruins the moment.

The expectation not to falter is significantly greater for a production like “The Studio,” which incorporates numerous single-take scenes much like those in “Birdman.” Following her directorial debut “Blink Twice,” Kravitz gained a fresh perspective on the innovative camera work that Rogen and his team were executing.

Regarding the technical aspects, I found it quite straightforward – this became even easier following my experience in film directing as I gained a deeper insight into what goes into making each shot effective,” Kravitz explains. Interestingly, cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra from ‘The Studio’, who also collaborated with Kravitz on ‘Blink Twice’, made the working process smoother due to their established shorthand.

After Kravitz’s energy intensifies significantly once the mushrooms take effect, Matt and Sal (Ike Barinholtz) guide her into a bedroom. For a brief moment, Matt leaves, and predictably, more mischief unfolds as Kravitz experiences a revelation about being trapped in a forest for extended periods. It’s at this point that Matt fully realizes that Kravitz has lost touch with reality.

Kravitz explains that he was deeply focused yet relaxed at the same time, maintaining a state of readiness for when the camera would be in position due to the extended take. It’s an amusing mix of being totally absorbed and remaining exceptionally meticulous thanks to the cinematography.

Kravitz remembers capturing additional scenes that were even more extraordinary but ended up being left out. One of these scenes involved Kathryn Hahn, who portrays marketing chief Maya Mason.

In one part, Matt and Sal reappeared, and I had constructed a fort. I was waving French fries around, making bizarre animal sounds and tumbling about. I believe I accidentally knocked over a vase, scattering pieces everywhere, and then Kathryn Hahn pinned me down, smacked my face, and serenaded me with ‘Kumbaya’. Although it didn’t make the final cut, I was deeply saddened by this. Kravitz recalls, “Getting slapped in the face by her was the greatest honor of my life.

Though Kravitz didn’t strongly identify with the scenarios presented in this particular episode, she found the awards show scene in Episode 8 remarkably relatable. In this episode, Kravitz portrays a character who feigns indifference about winning the best director award until Matt becomes anxious about not being acknowledged in her acceptance speech, only to discover that she had been bluffing.

To put it simply, Kravitz notes that if you want to be part of the awards circuit and possibly get nominated, you need to take part regularly. However, there’s a common pretense within this circle where people act uninterested, as if they don’t care about the recognition. Yet, it’s acceptable to care. Awards do hold significance, though not universally so, perhaps more for our self-esteem or personal satisfaction. At the same time, they can be completely meaningless. Essentially, Kravitz expresses that the value of awards is a complex and nuanced issue.

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2025-05-15 00:49