'Marty Supreme' star Odessa A’Zion reveals unusual method behind her acting progress
The actress compared reviewing her acting to athletes analyzing game footage for improvement
Odessa A’Zion has opened up about her unconventional approach to improving her craft, admitting that she now regularly watches her own performances — even if it makes her uncomfortable.
The 25-year-old actress, who has quickly emerged as one of Hollywood’s promising young talents, said she once avoided watching her own work entirely, believing it was better not to “overthink” performances after filming.
However, she now says that approach only increased her self-doubt.
Speaking after winning the Trophée Chopard award for Female Revelation of the Year at the Cannes Film Festival, A’Zion explained that her mindset toward self-review has shifted significantly.
“I used to always think the thing to do was never watch your work,” she said. “And if I did, I’d just think, ‘Oh my God, I suck. What am I doing?’”
She now compares the process to athletic training, saying that reviewing performances helps her identify what works and what needs improvement.
“It’s like being an athlete,” she said. “Athletes watch their plays to see what worked and what didn’t. Acting is the same. It helps you understand what’s working for you.”
A’Zion said she does not obsess over her performances but makes it a point to watch each project at least once after release.
She added that the process is less about self-criticism and more about learning.
“I notice facial expressions that didn’t work or moments that came off wrong,” she explained. “Sometimes I’ll even use playback on set if I feel like I need to figure out a direction.”
The Until Dawn actress has also been reflecting on her recent work in Marty Supreme, where she starred alongside Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin O’Leary under the direction of Josh Safdie.
She described the experience as transformative, saying the role felt “written for me” and calling the project both surreal and meaningful in shaping her confidence as an actress.
Despite her growing success and high-profile collaborations, A’Zion said she still sees herself as a work in progress, continuing to refine her skills one performance at a time.
