Odessa A’zion is opening up about her intense, nerve-wracking first moments on the set of Marty Supreme, Josh Safdie’s highly anticipated film starring Timothée Chalamet. In a recent interview, the actress revealed that her introduction to the project was nothing short of overwhelming — and exactly what she expected from the famously chaotic Safdie creative universe.
A’zion recalled stepping onto the set for the first time and instantly feeling engulfed by the sheer volume of energy around her. “I was so goddamn anxious my first day,” she shared. “There were so many people taking pictures.” The combination of fans, crew members, and the general buzz around the production created what she described as an “explosive environment” — one that quickly tested her focus and confidence.
Despite the pressure, A’zion says the chaos became part of the charm. Her first scene was already “chaotic as fuck,” a moment she embraced as a true Safdie trademark. Rather than shy away, she leaned into the unpredictability, using it to fuel her performance and match the raw, unpolished tone Safdie is known for.
A major source of comfort, she notes, was working alongside Timothée Chalamet. A’zion praised him as an intuitive, collaborative partner who understood the rhythm of the scenes and wasn’t afraid to improvise. “He knew how to do improv when we needed to improv,” she said, explaining that their back-and-forth dynamic brought out the best in both of them. The trust between them also helped her navigate the intensity of the shoot with more confidence.
A’zion also spoke highly of Safdie’s directing style, describing her mantra: “I want a director to work with me, not on me.” Safdie delivered exactly that, giving her freedom while guiding her performance through emotionally charged moments.
