Imagine wielding a superpower that lets you spot hidden emotions and patterns in people, turning what others might call a challenge into a directorial edge – that's the intriguing lens through which Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao views her neurodivergence. But here's where it gets controversial: is this sensitivity really a gift, or does it highlight how our fast-paced world might be overwhelming everyone else too? Let's dive into her candid reflections from a recent BFI London Film Festival event.
At the festival on a sunny Sunday morning, Zhao, the acclaimed Chinese-American director, shared her experiences directing films like Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015), The Rider (2017), Nomadland (2020) – the one that snagged her Academy Awards – and Eternals (2021). She was there promoting her latest project, Hamnet, which had its premiere the day before alongside stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, with big names like Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes as producers.
When the conversation turned to her approach as a director who works closely with actors, Zhao opened up about her neurodivergence. 'I've always felt a bit out of place, wondering why socializing comes effortlessly to some but feels like a mountain to climb for me – even simple chit-chat,' she explained, helping newbies understand that neurodivergence often involves differences in how the brain processes social cues and stimuli. 'I'm easily overwhelmed because I absorb so much detail at once. I'm constantly reading into things, like guessing what someone thinks based on their clothes or background,' she said, pointing to an attendee as an example. 'It's like I can't switch off this internal radar.'
And this is the part most people miss: once she named and embraced this trait, Zhao realized it was a strength. 'I pick up on patterns quicker and more keenly, which can help me foresee scenarios on set,' she noted. For instance, if she's sensing something off with an actor's performance – that 'dissonance' or mismatch between what's scripted and what's real – she might gently probe: 'What's really going on here?' Often, the actor opens up, revealing deeper emotions. 'That raw vulnerability, even if it's not always welcomed, can lead to moments of genuine authenticity that are pure magic for the audience,' Zhao shared, though she acknowledged that professional performers don't always say yes to dropping their guard.
She added with a lighthearted joke, 'My radar picks up on fake smiles hiding sadness, so small talk gets tricky. I might blurt out, 'What's bothering you?' or even 'Tell me about your childhood wounds,' which isn't always appreciated.' The audience chuckled, appreciating her self-deprecating humor.
'Truthfully, I see this as a superpower,' Zhao went on, emphasizing it's a spectrum where everyone varies. 'It makes me question: am I the odd one out, or is our society just too noisy, too dazzling, too hurried?' To illustrate, she might notice how bright lights or loud sounds in a busy city could overload anyone, not just those who are neurodivergent. 'Instead of seeing it as a flaw, I lean into it to build environments – both on screen and off – that feel nurturing and real for me.'
Currently in London to buzz about Hamnet, Zhao's newest film stars Mescal as William Shakespeare and Buckley as his wife Agnes, exploring their contrasting paths through heartache after losing their young son. The emotional premiere had viewers reaching for tissues, a testament to the story's gut-punching depth.
Zhao is also famous for helming Marvel's 2021 hit Eternals, a shift from her usual grounded narratives. 'The sci-fi and mythical elements drew me in immensely,' she admitted. As a child in Beijing, she dreamed of being a manga artist, sketching Japanese comics daily and devouring every story available. 'I adored weaving tales through fantasy and legends,' she said – think epic quests or mythical creatures, which sparked her creativity.
For Eternals, featuring stars like Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Barry Keoghan, Richard Madden, and Gemma Chan, Zhao even storyboarded the whole thing herself. 'Thanks to my manga background!' she laughed, referencing the iconic big eyes in character designs. 'I loved illustrating those expressive faces.'
Directing the Marvel blockbuster came at a pivotal time. 'After making three films, exploring cultures from the East to the West, and meeting diverse people, I felt this intense pressure building inside, like a volcano ready to burst,' Zhao described. 'Eternals was that eruption, an attempt to dissect the human experience in profound ways. I'm still unpacking it all.'
Her Beijing upbringing limited her to one Western movie per week, starting with The Terminator (1984) – 'Talk about an action-packed intro!' she quipped. Followed by Ghost and Sister Act, these films shaped her global perspective.
The BFI London Film Festival 2025 runs from October 8 to 19, showcasing films like these that challenge and inspire.
But let's get provocative: Is Zhao's neurodivergence truly a superpower, or does it reveal a bigger issue – that our world is designed in ways that marginalize sensitivities? Could embracing such traits lead to better storytelling, or is it unfair to expect everyone to adapt? What do you think – is society too chaotic for its own good, and should we rethink how we create art and live our lives? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear agreements, disagreements, or your own experiences!
