Poised, polished, and gifted with a knack for characters that engage audiences, British-born actor and producer Lara Clear is gaining attention with her performance in the psychological thriller I Live Here Now, which is making its way through the international festival circuit after premieres at Fantasia, Locarno, and Edinburgh.
The film, directed by Julie Pacino in her highly anticipated feature debut, is a moody, surreal thriller described as “Lynchian”—but it’s Clear’s performance as the enigmatic Ada that is drawing considerable attention. “Ada is a complex character, and she was a lot of fun to play,” Clear explains. “Her interactions with our lead, Rose, will likely keep you on the edge of your seat.”
The actress, who trained in London before making her way to Hollywood via New York, says her career path has been far from predictable. “I’d say my evolution as an actor has been more of an unexpected adventure,” she says. “I trained in London, where everything was very technique-driven… It was intense, but it gave me a strong foundation.”
From red carpets to rehearsal rooms, Clear has learned to adapt across continents and film cultures. “Working on both U.S. and international productions has definitely shaped how I navigate the industry not just as an actor, but also as a producer,” she notes. “Different cultures bring unique strengths… whether it’s incorporating the structure I trained with in London or the improvisation I’ve experienced in LA.”
Shot on film and filled with dreamlike visuals, I Live Here Now sees Clear diving deep into psychological terrain. And it wasn’t without challenges. “We shot during a rare English summertime so working at the studio could sometimes get very hot when the AC was off,” she says. “The emotional depth of this movie was sometimes draining… The film covers some pretty intense topics, and that can be hard to shake off.”
But the payoff? Clear gets to showcase her range in a role that’s already sparking festival buzz. “Julie’s direction is always clear and inspiring… She knows exactly what to say to get the performance she wants out of me,” Clear shares. “She challenges me in the best way!”
Clear isn’t just about brooding thrillers—her early days were spent exploring comedy. “I actually started out loving comedy, particularly sketch comedy, and trained at Groundlings and UCB, which still excites me,” she reveals. “But I’ve come to believe the most exciting roles are the ones that stretch me a bit… the ones that push me into unfamiliar territory.”
As for what’s next, the actress remains focused and ambitious. “I’m eager to continue working on projects that challenge me emotionally and creatively… especially stories that explore identity, psychological tension, and complex characters who aren’t afraid to get a little messy,” she says.
Clear is also thinking strategically about career moves, using the festival spotlight to open new doors. “I’d love the opportunity to connect with the festival programmers at each event… and I’m currently looking for new representation, particularly in the UK and Canada,” she says.
She’s also well aware of how important self-promotion has become in today’s industry. “I think self-promotion today is about advocacy… it’s good to champion your collaborators,” she adds. “I love the passion of genre audiences and truly admire how deeply they invest in the films they love.”
The film’s release is being handled by Utopia, known for bold, innovative storytelling—something that resonates deeply with Clear. “The dream is to continue working with visionary directors, like Julie, who bring a strong, original voice to storytelling,” she says. “I’m also excited to grow with this creative community… not just as an actor, but also as a producer and collaborator.”
With her commanding screen presence, fearless approach to storytelling, and a breakout performance that has critics talking, Lara Clear is emerging as a name to remember.
