Emma Mackey on Hot Milk Role and Full Commitment

Emma Mackey trades the witty confidence of “Sex Education” for a role of profound subtlety and enigmatic depth in the compelling new psychological drama, Hot Milk. The film, now available for streaming, marks a significant departure for the actor, showcasing a captivating and restrained performance that has garnered critical acclaim since its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. This artistic shift highlights Mackey’s dedicated approach to her craft, seeking out complex narratives that challenge both her and the audience.

How Does Emma Mackey’s Role in Hot Milk Differ From Her Previous Work?

In Hot Milk, Mackey portrays Sofia, a young woman grappling with the complex and suffocating relationship with her ailing mother, Rose, played by Fiona Shaw. The character is a far cry from the rebellious and quick-witted Maeve Wiley that made her a global star. Sofia is subdued, internal, and often elusive, a challenge Mackey embraced wholeheartedly. She described being drawn to the project precisely because it was so different from anything she had done before, seeing it as a compelling and poetic exercise in character exploration. The film, adapted from Deborah Levy’s Booker Prize-shortlisted novel by director Rebecca Lenkiewicz, follows Sofia and her mother to a Spanish seaside town in a desperate search for a cure, where Sofia embarks on a transformative affair with a mysterious woman, played by Vicky Krieps.

A Collaborative and Emotional Journey

The experience of bringing Hot Milk to life was deeply collaborative and emotional for the cast. Mackey recalled the powerful moment of watching the finished film at the Berlin Film Festival with director Rebecca Lenkiewicz on one side and a tearful Vicky Krieps on the other. She emphasized the significance of the moment for Lenkiewicz, who had nurtured the project for years. Mackey was the final piece of the casting puzzle, joining the already-attached powerhouse actors Fiona Shaw and Vicky Krieps. She placed immense trust in Lenkiewicz’s vision, noting that the screenplay, while based on Levy’s novel, was very much its own distinct piece of fiction, allowing her to interpret Sofia without direct comparison to the source material.

The Allure of the Unconventional

Mackey has expressed a clear preference for stories that defy easy categorization. She described Hot Milk as having a “biblical, Greek tragedy” quality, rich with subtext and lacking a clear-cut formula. This attraction to ambiguity and mystery extends to her philosophy on acting itself. She values the preservation of mystery for an audience, believing that seeing too much of an actor’s process can break the spell of cinema. Her primary responsibility, as she sees it, is to the story and to doing a good job with full commitment, stating unequivocally that she does not want to be someone who “half does something.” This dedication to her roles, whether in a global Netflix hit or an intimate arthouse drama, defines her rising and respected career.

For audiences seeking a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, Hot Milk offers a hypnotic and beautifully acted exploration of familial bonds and personal liberation. Emma Mackey’s transformative performance is a masterclass in subtlety, proving her formidable range beyond the world of Sex Education. Discover her captivating new chapter on Mubi.

Must Know

What is the plot of Hot Milk?
Hot Milk is a psychological drama about a young woman named Sofia, played by Emma Mackey, who travels with her chronically ill mother to a Spanish clinic. There, she embarks on a mysterious affair that forces her to confront the complexities of her family dynamics and her own identity.

Where can I watch Hot Milk?
The film is available for streaming exclusively on the Mubi platform in India. It premiered earlier this year at the Berlin International Film Festival to critical acclaim.

How is the film different from the book?
According to Emma Mackey, director Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s script is “very different to the book.” While based on Deborah Levy’s novel, the adaptation is very much its own piece of fiction, allowing for a unique interpretation of the characters and story.

Who else stars in the film alongside Emma Mackey?
The film features a stellar cast including acclaimed actress Fiona Shaw, who plays Sofia’s mother, Rose, and Vicky Krieps, who plays the mysterious Ingrid, a local woman Sofia becomes involved with.