GN: What are your fondest memories from the Obsession set?

MJ: My fondest memories are all of the jokes and laughter we shared on set. The shoot was dark and intense, and we really relied on that humor to stay sane. Another incredible part of the experience was the collaborative process with our director, Curry Barker. We shot the movie out of order, so every day on set felt like solving a massive puzzle together.

GN: What was it like portraying Bear?

MJ: It was a balancing act. Bear isn't your typical horror protagonist. He starts as a “sad boy” with a one-sided crush, which makes you want to root for him. But as the chaos kicks in, his ego and desperation drive him to make horrible choices, and he slowly turns into the antagonist. The plan was to make him seem like a nice guy, only to trick the audience later.

GN: Who or what inspired you to pursue acting more seriously, and did you ever imagine you would reach this stage in your career?

MJ: My love for acting started at age 12 through video games. I found a video of actors doing voices for the characters in Mortal Kombat and I wanted to be just like them. I eventually moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18 to pursue voiceover. That became my foundation before meeting my manager, who encouraged me to get into film and TV acting. Once I got in front of a camera, I fell in love with it. Now with the success of Obsession, it feels like my acting dreams have been fully realized.

GN: What is the biggest lesson you took away from working on Obsession?

MJ: I learned that it’s important to lean into the character, try things, and take risks when filming, even if it feels silly or uncomfortable. Curry had a really specific vision for what he wanted and once we nailed it, he encouraged us to improvise. Not only was it really fun, but a lot of special moments came from that and made it into the film.

GN: In the final moments of Obsession, do you believe Bear deserved his fate?

MJ: The film is sparking a lot of conversations and arguments about that. I think that’s why so many people are going to see it. I personally think Bear made some really terrible choices and he deserved to be held accountable, but the beauty of the script is that it leaves it up to the audience to judge him.

GN: As an actor, you’re asked to step into different lives and perspectives. Has portraying complex characters changed the way you view people in everyday life?

MJ: It has definitely given me a deeper understanding of human behavior.  Playing a "villain" forces you to practice empathy without judgment. To play Bear, I had to find the humanity behind his dark choices. A villain rarely sees themself as the bad guy. Most are just driven by their own insecurities and coping mechanisms.

GN: If you could revisit one moment from your career, not to change it, but to experience it again, which moment would you choose?

MJ: Sitting in the theater for the Obsession premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was my first time seeing the final cut, and sharing that moment with the cast, crew, and over a thousand rowdy fans was surreal. The crowd was so loud I could hardly hear the movie over the gasps, screams, and laughs. It's a core memory I'll never forget.

GN: Many of our readers are fascinated by the creative process. Do your best ideas arrive through discipline and routine, or through unexpected moments of inspiration?

MJ: I love that question. It’s a mix of both. For acting, It’s really important for me to do my homework. If I am super prepared before the cameras roll, it completely frees my mind to act on unexpected inspiration in the moment and take risks.

GN: What is a question you wish journalists asked more often, and what would your answer be?

MJ: I prefer questions about the creative process over questions about the story. I’d love to be asked: "How do you silence your inner critic to be completely vulnerable, messy, or unlikable on camera?” My answer would be: "Self-consciousness kills a performance. The camera catches you if you try to control your image. To be truly present, you must let go of the need to look good or be liked. You must give yourself permission to fail and look ridiculous."

GN: Often explores the stories behind the story. When audiences leave the theater after watching Obsession, what conversation do you hope they continue having long after the credits roll?

MJ: I love the idea of people talking about how audiences are tired of the same old studio formulas. Obsession proves that if you make something bold and original, people will show up to the theater. I hope our success inspires studios to trust independent filmmakers more, and encourages the industry to take risks on more original ideas.

GN : How was it working on this photoshoot with the Goodnight team while traveling through Paris?

MJ: We had the best time! We literally ran into each other in Paris, and as we were walking down the street, we spotted a showroom with some really cool clothes. They let us borrow a few looks, so we decided to do a totally impromptu shoot. Afterward, we went to an art show and had an incredible dinner. It was just one of those perfect days that felt straight out of a movie.

GN: Dreams can be just as powerful as memories. When you think about your future, what is one dream you're actively working toward, whether it's as an actor, musician, or in your day-to-day life?

MJ: I’m actively working toward writing, producing, directing, and starring in my own film down the line. Getting to feature some of my own music in it would be the icing on the cake. It’s a huge undertaking, but I’m incredibly excited for the challenge.

GN: We all have rituals that tell our minds that the day is over. Whether it's music, reading, late-night walks, or complete silence, what does your ideal nighttime routine look like, and what helps you find genuine rest after a long day on set?

MJ: I always take a long hot shower before bed and try not to look at any bright screens. The only exception to the screen rule is any nature documentary narrated by David Attenborough. 

GN: What are some nightly rituals that your fans might be surprised to learn about? Is there anything you do every evening that has become essential for winding down?

MJ: I can’t go to bed without kissing my dog. She’s not very cuddly at night but she has learned not to resist my love. Ha-ha!

GN: Everyone has a place where they feel completely at peace. When you need to recharge after a busy project, where do you go, and what does that perfect evening look like?

MJ: I go straight home! My home is my sanctuary. It’s full of the furniture, foods, colors, textures, and smells that I love. If I’m traveling, I always do my best to make it feel like home, even if that just means bringing my own pillow with me. My perfect evening is cooking dinner, playing board games with my friends or neighbors, or just relaxing on the couch.

Photographer: Denis Shchekin/

EIC: Kimberly Goodnight 

Production: Kam at Media Playground PR 

wearing: skfk at la cour des Icônes, paris  / kanine mending at la cour des Icônes, paris / une autre mode est possible at La Cour des Icônes, paris / lacoste / the kooples / kuttah / rails / legends of sound