Austin Abrams is an actor of the first water
For Austin Abrams, acting has always been about exploration, both of the world around him and of himself. Known for gravitating towards complex roles, such as hopeless romantic Henry Page in psychological drama Chemical Hearts or troubled teen Ron Anderson in The Walking Dead, the actor has a penchant for characters that push him into unfamiliar territory. His latest project sees him confront the harsh world of homelessness and addiction as James Anthony in Zach Cregger’s latest film, Weapons. With the film having arrived in theatres at the end of August, at twenty-nine, Abrams is now having his time in the sun. But the actor’s rise has been guided more by instinct than any rigid career plan. Whether stepping into a horror film that blends terror with comedy or immersing himself in deeply human stories, Abrams approaches every role with curiosity and humility. He avoids social media to stay present and chooses projects that spark that irrepressible feeling of “I have to do this” — something that, so far, hasn’t failed him.
Flore Boitel: You’ve often been described as an actor who leans towards complex roles. Do you think you’re drawn to characters that mirror something within you, or are you chasing the unfamiliar?
Austin Abrams: That’s a hard question to answer. I think there’s a lot within us to draw from. A big part of acting is exploring different aspects of yourself. Everything still comes from within, even when I’m tapping into parts of myself that feel unfamiliar. For example, with Weapons, I had to inhabit a world I knew nothing about — homelessness, addiction, that never-ending cycle of suffering. I had no real frame of reference for that, but I love diving into the unfamiliar, the new, getting to explore and connect with different worlds you knew nothing about before, and then feeling more connected to people through that experience. In the end, it helps you realise we’re all more alike than we think.
FB: When you first read a script, what’s the moment that makes you think, I need to play this character?
AA: Sometimes you just feel something inside. Maybe it’s excitement, maybe you feel scared, or maybe you start to imagine what it could be and it lights you up. Other times it’s harder to explain, it’s just that feeling of ‘I have to do this. I can’t let this go. I’ll do whatever I need to make it happen’. With Weapons, I definitely felt that. I really love the director, and the character had so many different possibilities to explore. That combination made it one of those projects I knew I couldn’t pass up.
FB: You’ve worked across TV and film, from Euphoria to Dash & Lily to more independent projects. What challenges, for you, come with different scales of production?
AA: Different projects come with different challenges, but in the end it’s kind of the same thing. With independent films, for example, there’s usually less money, which means less time. I’ve done jobs where you only get one take, maybe two if you push for it. The fast pace becomes part of the experience, though. But honestly, what really matters isn’t the scale of the production. What matters is the heart of it — the director, the writing and the people you’re working with. That’s what matters the most.
FB: You recently forayed into horror. What surprised you about working on a horror film?
AA: Zach [Cregger’s] approach to horror isn’t your standard kind — it felt like it had comedy woven into it. When I was working with him, it just felt like doing any other scene. Maybe some moments were more heightened, but I’ve experienced that in different kinds of work I’ve done, too.
FB: Tell us a bit about your character in Weapons. How did you prepare to play him?
AA: His name is James and when you meet him he’s homeless and addicted to drugs. He’s trying to scrounge up some money for his next fix. Preparing was just kind of doing my best to understand that world as much as possible. And it’s wild because seeing these people is kind of a painful thing, but it’s interesting because all these kinds of addictions are to try to feel relief. It struck me how, in trying to inject yourself with this synthetic version of heaven, you actually end up putting yourself in hell. That was really eye-opening for me, and it made me realise it could happen to anyone.
FB: Were you a fan of horror films before taking this role? How has your perspective on the genre evolved?
AA: I’ve always been a fan of horror films. There’s something about them that can feel almost operatic at times, so big. I’ve come to see horror as a way of exploring this deeper, more animalistic part of ourselves — the side that’s screaming out and is terrified.
FB: Growing up, did you always want to be an actor, or was it something that found you unexpectedly?
AA: I did want to act from a young age, though in a way, it also kind of found me unexpectedly. I think it was something I needed at the time — that outlet for expression, or a way to gain more emotional understanding. Acting has this way of forcing you to connect with yourself, or at least leading you down that path if you want to walk it.
FB: Looking back at your body of work so far, is there one role you feel taught you the most about yourself?
AA: They all have, in different ways. With Wolfs [the 2024 action-comedy in which Abrams plays Kid], for example, it was about reconnecting with the child in me.
With Weapons, it was more about humility — realising how easily I could find myself in the same situation as the characters. Thankfully, each part I’ve played has taught me something about my inner life. But I also think that kind of learning doesn’t only come from acting, you can discover new things about yourself every day.
FB: You’ve played characters navigating love, loneliness and identity. Do you find yourself bringing personal experiences into these roles?
AA: Honestly, it just depends. Sometimes aspects of yourself come through or feel similar, but in the end, I think it’s best to just connect with the story and really be in it.
FB: As an actor in your twenties, do you feel pressure to map out a ‘career plan’, or are you more instinct-driven when choosing projects?
AA: I don’t really feel pressure to map out a career plan. I’m more interested in just living and experiencing things. Sure, I might have a loose vision, but when it comes to choosing projects, I like to go with what feels right in the moment. What you’re drawn to can change, and I try to stay open to that.
FB: In an age where so much of acting is tied to image and social media, it’s unusual that you don’t have an Instagram presence. Tell us about your decision to stay off social media.
AA: Ever since I was younger, it always seemed like a bit of a distraction. It’s not really black and white — there are plenty of people who handle it really well, where it doesn’t consume them, and it even becomes something that helps them in their lives. So it really just depends. For me, I felt like it might be a distraction, so I didn’t do it.
FB: If you could collaborate with any director — living or not — who would it be, and why?
AA: Directors? Wow, there are so many options, it’s hard to say. For some reason, [Akira] Kurosawa comes to mind. I don’t speak the language of the films he made but I certainly love his work, and it would have been cool. And not a director, but I would have loved to at least meet Heath Ledger.
FB: What can you tell us about the next projects you’re working on?
AA: Whalefall is just about finished. It’s about a scuba diver who gets swallowed by a whale, and it’s such a wild and original project. It’s been an amazing experience, and I think the final result will be really, really cool. And then there’s Resident Evil with Zach [Cregger] again, which I think is going to be incredible. I really love working with Zach. He’s the man.
FB: Finally, how do you see the next few years unfolding for you? Are there risks you want to take — creatively or personally — that you haven’t yet?
AA: I have absolutely no idea how the next few years will unfold for me and I don’t want to know. I just want to live life and keep being here.
- PhotographerJordan Rossi
- StylistAdam Ballheim
- WriterFlore Boitel
- GroomerKim Bragalone at Redefine Representation using KYPRIS Beauty and BUMBLE AND BUMBLE
- Photographer's AssistantAsh Alexander
- Production ManagerCarmen Magaña
- RetouchingAlice Constance
- LocationVista House in Hollywood, California
