Canadian actor Carrie-Anne Moss, best known for her role as Trinity in The Matrix franchise, is back in the spotlight with her latest project, Die Alone, a gritty and romantic zombie thriller. In a recent interview, Moss opened up about her career, motherhood, and the ever-changing nature of the film industry.
Returning to the Genre Scene
Moss, 57, has long been associated with science fiction and action films, having played memorable roles in Christopher Nolan’s Memento, the neo-noir thriller Disturbia, and most recently, The Acolyte, a Star Wars spinoff series. In Die Alone, she plays Mae, a hardened survivalist navigating a post-apocalyptic world alongside a younger man with memory loss, portrayed by Douglas Smith.
“Not only am I drawn to genre films, but they are drawn to me,” Moss said. “As an actor, sometimes you want to play things that are so different, but I never minded being seen in a certain genre because there are so many stories to tell.”
She also noted the similarities between Die Alone and Memento, which also featured a protagonist suffering from memory loss. However, she emphasized that while there may be echoes of her past work, the film stands on its own with a unique narrative and emotional depth.
A Shift in Hollywood
Moss recalled her early years in Hollywood, including a time when she struggled financially despite landing a role in Models Inc., a spin-off of Melrose Place. Reflecting on her career, she spoke about the unpredictable nature of the industry, particularly after her recent involvement in The Acolyte, which was canceled by Disney last year. “It’s always disappointing when something doesn’t get picked up,” she said. “But I’m never really too shocked. This is the kind of business that’s not for everybody – eventually, you have to get pretty realistic about it.”
The Legacy of The Matrix
Despite the ups and downs, Moss remains grateful for her iconic role in The Matrix and its sequels. While The Matrix Resurrections (2021) received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office, she maintains that the experience was invaluable. “I’ve always said this, and it’s kind of cliché, but you only have control over your own experience. That film was really such a gift, and I loved making it.”
She also acknowledged the evolving interpretations of The Matrix, particularly its significance as a trans allegory, following the transition of its directors, Lana and Lilly Wachowski. “I wasn’t really privy to that at the time,” she admitted. “But it’s amazing how the film has resonated with so many people in different ways.”
Choosing Family Over Fame
After the massive success of The Matrix, Moss made the conscious decision to step away from Hollywood to focus on raising her three children. “I remember being torn, thinking, ‘Gosh, I’m getting offered such great things,’” she recalled. “And I was holding my baby in my arms, and I thought, ‘At the end of my life, will it matter that I have another movie on my résumé, or that I held my baby?’ And it was a no-brainer.”
While acknowledging that her career trajectory may have been different had she stayed in the industry full-time, she has no regrets. “For my career, maybe not so much,” she said with a laugh, “but that was the greatest decision I ever made in my life.”
Looking Ahead
With Die Alone set for release in the UK and Ireland on March 10, Moss is excited for audiences to see a different side of her as an actor. The film, directed by Lowell Dean, embraces a stripped-down, practical effects approach reminiscent of classic independent films.
“He’s just this guy making movies and loving them, caring about them,” Moss said of Dean. “When movies have more hands in them, it’s just a little different. This felt… simpler, I guess.”
As she continues to navigate the industry on her own terms, Moss remains open to new opportunities while staying true to what matters most to her—both as an actor and as a mother.
Die Alone will be available to own or rent in the UK and Ireland from March 10.