Twenty years have passed, and Gracie is trying to move on from the scandal. But to prepare for her upcoming role, Elizabeth visits Gracie and Joe (Charles Melton), who is now 36. The couple is still together, married with children, but Elizabeth’s arrival exposes the fractures beneath their carefully constructed surface.

Deliberate Ambiguity

Portman discusses her performance in the Netflix dark comedy. She also shares her viewpoint on the state of the industry and the upward tick of women producing their projects.

Natalie Portman’s most outstanding performances include her Oscar-winning turn as a disturbed ballerina in “Black Swan” (2010) and her transformation into the former first lady in “Jackie” (2016).

Industry’s status, where the lines are blurred between television, film, movie theaters?

I have no idea and feel I’m as lost as everyone else. It seems to be changing all the time. They’re like, “Movies are dead,” but “No, movies are thriving,” and “No, streaming is just like TV.” We spent all this time changing our industry to have the same thing we had before. And meanwhile, I see my kids; they’re all just watching YouTube. [It makes you think that] maybe none of this is relevant. I want to make what I love and care about and try to keep supporting that. When you complete those things, they find their audiences and find their people, the people who are passionate about it.

I would not encourage young people to go into this. I don’t mean ever; I mean as children. I feel it was almost an accident of luck that I was not harmed, also combined with very overprotective, wonderful parents. You don’t like it when you’re a kid, and you’re grateful for it when you’re an adult. I’ve heard too many bad stories to think that any children should be part of it. I know all the conversations that we’ve been having these past few years. It’s made people more aware and careful. But ultimately, I don’t believe that kids should work. I think kids should play and go to school.

I feel like I saw it more in the edit. I saw the absurdity and how ridiculous people are and human behavior. I mean… “everyone’s crazy” is the summary of every story. I saw that, but I think Todd’s vision for it is like the music he chose. It was so unexpected and nothing I ever imagined while reading it. That creates a very unsettling tone with humor, but I wouldn’t say it is funny. It’s more this tone if you’re in a strange, unsettling world.

Where does your Academy Award sit in your house? 

No, no, no. It’s in a safe. There was a moment when my husband wanted to embarrass me. In the “Black Swan” era, he put all the trophies on the mantel, and I was just like, “I need to hide this immediately.” It’s amazing to be recognized but can never be the motivation because that’s corrupting.

Upward trend of women taking on both those roles in the business nowadays?

It’s the best, and seeing my peers do it inspires me. Reese Witherspoon is one of the biggest role models and inspiration. It’s incredible seeing Margot Robbie and Emma Stone also doing it.

Message to share?

It’s a really, really difficult time. And we need art more than ever. I feel like that’s where we need to find our light.