The Rise of Parker Posey and Her Vision for Hollywood
In the 1990s, Parker Posey, then in her early 20s, was already making waves in Hollywood. During an interview at the height of her rising career, she revealed her passion for writing screenplays, particularly roles for older women. This statement, which she now looks back on fondly, showcased her foresight and confidence in her artistic vision. “I love that I said that,” she reflected. “I’ve always known, or felt, that I would feel most comfortable at this age.” Decades later, Posey remains a beacon of talent and resilience in an ever-changing entertainment industry. Her recent role in The White Lotus highlights Hollywood’s renewed appreciation for her unique acting style, proving that her craft continues to resonate with audiences and creators alike.
Over the past 25 years, Posey has thrived in the independent film scene, where her versatility as an actress has shone brightly. From the uncommon sadness she portrayed in Zoe Cassavetes’s Broken English to the hallucinatory seduction in Ari Aster’s Beau Is Afraid, and the simmering intimacy in Kogonada’s Columbus, Posey has consistently demonstrated her ability to inhabit complex characters. Kogonada, the Korean American filmmaker, captured her essence perfectly when he said, “You walk the streets with her, and it feels like you’re in a film. She’s a performance artist who does movies in between.” Posey’s ability to blend into her roles while maintaining a sense of authenticity has made her a beloved figure in independent cinema.
A Free-Spirited Life: Parker Posey’s Personal Journey
Much like the characters she portrays, Parker Posey has always been a free-floating entity, untethered by conventional norms. Her romantic history is marked by an itinerant quality, which she once compared to exploring her karmic past lives. This sense of adventure and curiosity extends beyond her personal relationships. Posey’s life is rich with a diverse collection of friends and chosen family, including her “chosen parents upstate,” a Y.A. novelist friend, a clothing designer, and even an art forger. Her ability to form deep connections and build new lives wherever she goes is a testament to her adaptable spirit.
In recent years, however, Posey has felt a growing urge to “regenerate.” A few years ago, she decided to leave her city apartment behind and settle into a Catskills farmhouse she purchased from Tatum O’Neal in 2007. The farmhouse, where she filmed a Pepsi commercial with Jimmy Fallon, became her sanctuary. There, she forged a deep bond with Rory, a Highland bull who recently passed away. “He lives in my heart,” she said, reflecting on their connection. Posey’s decision to step away from the hustle and bustle of city life and embrace a quieter, more grounded existence speaks to her growing desire for introspection and renewal.
Beyond Acting: Parker Posey’s Creative Ambitions
While acting remains her first love, Parker Posey has always been fascinated by other creative outlets. Over the years, she has explored a wide range of ideas, from shooting a survival program about off-grid home-building to rebooting an old children’s show about wild animals. She has even considered starting a slow-TV channel and writing a walk-and-talk film featuring herself and the feminist critic Camille Paglia. These ideas showcase her boundless imagination and her desire to push the boundaries of storytelling.
One of her most recent fascinations is “agritainment,” a concept that blends agriculture and entertainment, often associated with activities like corn mazes and hayrides. Posey, however, envisions it as an immersive art form deeply connected to the natural world. While these creative ventures are exciting, they often take a backseat to her acting career. Hollywood, it seems, keeps calling her back, offering her roles that challenge her and keep her engaged.
The Audition Process: A Test of Resilience
When I met Parker Posey for the second time, she had planned for us to experience a sauna and cold plunge at a Brooklyn vegan restaurant. But those plans changed when she texted me to say she needed a ride after a long rehearsal. It turned out she had just been cast in Martin McDonagh’s upcoming film, Wild Horse Nine, alongside Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich. Emerging from a costume fitting, she wore a crimson herringbone three-piece outfit made in Thailand, complete with hip pockets and a structured necktie. Despite her excitement, the casting process for Wild Horse Nine had been anything but smooth.
Posey described the experience as “tortured,” recounting how McDonagh initially offered her the part but then asked her to audition. “I was like: I can’t. I can’t!” she exclaimed, explaining how the process of reading unfamiliar lines under bright lights made her feel exposed and self-conscious. “It’s just the beginning of the whole process,” she said. “And it feels embarrassing.” When McDonagh visited her, she still hadn’t opened the FedEx package containing the script pages she was meant to perform. “I was like, I can’t even—I don’t even