The younger version of Cate Blanchett's character is quite calculating and seductive. Can you understand this feeling of manipulation?

No, I was lucky. I had solid relationships in that sense. I haven't suffered from manipulation, but I imagine it's easier than you imagine, and however immune you may feel to it, certain people you encounter might be capable of some kind of power exercise over you. But I definitely feel an innocence within me. I think everyone does that. It is painted over with different colors, but it is important to capture it.

Name a woman outside your family that you admired as a child.

I remember reading in school The Age of Innocence–Edith Wharton. I just thought it was fun to write about a world that seemed so stuffy and reserved. I recently read a bit of Joan Didion thanks to my friend's recommendation –On the way to Bethlehemwhich really made me want to go to LA.

I swear I'm not just being sassy: Name a singer whose music makes you sing along.

Hahaha! My girlfriend has been trying to get me into more pop lately – Chappell Roan was a regular. Otherwise it would have to be Nina Simone. I think I heard the first song of hers correctly – I must have been drunk in an Uber coming home from a night out and I had my good headphones on and heard “Mr. Bojangles.” There was so much life in her voice and her wealth and obviously some scars. And I just thought, “Wow, so, so romantic.”

Since we're talking music and you alluded to Olivia Rodrigo's influence, is “So American” about you?

(Laughs) Not my song, not my place. So I wouldn't know.

What do you envy women about?

In general, they handle themselves well. You have self-care under control. And I think the guys are starting to catch up, but they're struggling a little bit.

And what confuses you about women?

I think in previous relationships my mind worked differently than it did with the women I knew. A little slower. I would describe it as a golden retriever and a black cat. I can imagine myself happily sitting and catching a Frisbee.

You have two sisters – one younger, one older. What did you learn about women from them?

Oh, a whole lot. That's why I've never been afraid to talk to women. I don't have any strange memories of being rejected in the schoolyard because I didn't really know how to talk to women. And I probably learned to give them their own space. I always really annoyed my older sister. When I was bored, this was my activity of choice. And then she'd turn around and just take one look in her eyes and I'd know you wouldn't mess with her.

Finish this sentence: No woman should ever be forced to do this (blank).

Standing in line for a toilet – that makes me miserable. I'm always tempted to say, “Just come over.”

Last question: You have a long drive ahead of you. Of all your female co-stars, who do you bring with you for company?

It would have to be someone with good taste in music. And as much as I love Millie (Bobby Brown), I don't know if we agree musically. Leila was very cool and had fantastic stories, and she showed me some good songs. Van Morrison and The Band brought us together. So I could choose her.

A version of this story appears in the October 2024 issue of ELLE.

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Devin Gordon is a writer and author based in Brookline, Massachusetts So Many Ways to Lose: The Amazing True Story of the New York Mets – the Best and Worst Team in Sports.