Imagine being a filmmaker whose brain picks up on emotions and nuances that most people miss—turning what could be a personal challenge into a groundbreaking edge in Hollywood. That's the captivating reality for Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, who recently shared her journey as a neurodivergent storyteller at a special session during the BFI London Film Festival on Sunday. It's a story that invites us to rethink how differences can fuel creativity, but here's where it gets controversial: is this "superpower" really a gift, or does it blur the lines between empathy and intrusion? Keep reading to discover why Zhao's unique perspective might just be the secret weapon behind some of cinema's most authentic moments.
Zhao, the talented Chinese filmmaker, was in town promoting her latest heart-wrenching drama, Hamnet, which she premiered on Saturday. The film stars Irish actor Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife Agnes, delving into their raw, contrasting paths through grief after losing their young son. It's the kind of emotional punch that had audiences dabbing tears at the premiere, with producers Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes adding star power to the mix. During the festival talk, Zhao opened up about her body of work, including her early films like Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015) and The Rider (2017), her Academy Award-winning triumph Nomadland (2020), and even her blockbuster venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Eternals (2021).
When the conversation turned to her directing style, especially how she connects with actors, Zhao spoke openly about identifying as neurodivergent—a term that simply means her brain processes the world differently from what's considered typical. For beginners dipping into this topic, think of it as having a heightened awareness that can make everyday interactions feel overwhelming. 'I've always felt out of place or puzzled by why simple chats are effortless for others but exhausting for me,' she explained. 'I get overstimulated easily because I'm soaking up way more details. For instance, right now, I'm wondering about what your clothes say about you or where you're from—I can't turn that off.'
But here's the part most people miss: once she embraced this trait and found words to describe it, Zhao realized it sharpened her ability to spot patterns and sense undercurrents, almost like predicting outcomes. On a movie set, this translates to tuning into the 'dissonance'—those subtle mismatches between what actors show and what's really brewing inside. Even outside the camera's eye, she might ask, 'What's off here?' And if an actor opens up, it could lead to a breakthrough: 'The script has this character saying one thing, but you're feeling something deeper right now. Would you peel back that layer and show the audience what's really there?' It's not always accepted, especially with pros who might prefer sticking to the script, but when it clicks, it unlocks genuine moments that resonate deeply—an actor's most valuable contribution to storytelling.
Zhao lightheartedly joked about her intense radar for hidden emotions, saying, 'If someone's grinning but heartbroken, I instantly pick up on it. That's why casual banter trips me up—I might blurt out, "What's wrong? Tell me about your childhood pain," which isn't always appreciated,' drawing chuckles from the audience. Yet, she insists this sensitivity is her 'superpower.' It's a spectrum, after all, with everyone experiencing it uniquely. And this is where things get intriguing: Zhao wondered aloud if she's the outlier or if our modern world has become too chaotic—overly noisy, dazzling, and rushed. Instead of seeing her quirks as flaws, she chooses to lean into them, crafting environments both on screen and behind the scenes that feel nurturing and balanced for her well-being.
Now, promoting Hamnet, a film that explores the depths of loss in a way that's profoundly moving, Zhao's career showcases her knack for blending raw realism with fantastical elements. While she's famous for grounded stories like Nomadland, her Marvel entry Eternals marked a thrilling shift. The sci-fi adventure, featuring stars like Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Barry Keoghan, Richard Madden, and Gemma Chan, was a dream come true for the Beijing-born director. 'As a kid, I aspired to be a manga artist,' she shared with a giggle. 'I sketched Japanese comics daily and devoured every one I could find, fueling my love for weaving tales through fantasy and myths.'
Interestingly, Eternals was the only Zhao film she storyboarded herself, thanks to those honed drawing skills—think big, expressive eyes straight out of manga. 'My manga background made it fun!' she exclaimed. Directing it came at a pivotal time for her. 'I'd directed three films, traveled extensively, encountered diverse cultures from East to West, and it felt like a storm brewing inside me,' she described. 'I was eager to explore the essence of humanity, and Eternals was that eruption—the culmination of all those insights I'm still unpacking.' Growing up in Beijing, where her family watched just one Western movie per week, shaped her cinematic tastes. Her first? James Cameron's The Terminator (1984)—'Fantastic, right?' she quipped. Followed by Ghost and Sister Act, sparking her global imagination.
The BFI London Film Festival 2025, running from October 8 to 19, provided the perfect backdrop for these revelations. But isn't it fascinating—and a bit unsettling—how Zhao's ability to probe deep emotions could be seen as invasive by some? Does her neurodivergence truly empower her filmmaking, or does it risk making actors uncomfortable in the name of authenticity? What do you think: is the world too overwhelming for neurodivergent minds, or should we all strive to tune in more deeply? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with calling it a 'superpower,' or disagree? Let's discuss!
