In a candid discussion about her upcoming role in the shark thriller *The Devil’s Mouth*, actress Lana Condor has opened up about the challenges she faced while filming. The 29-year-old star detailed her experience in an interview with *Refinery29 Australia*, highlighting her quest for comfort and safety while wearing a custom-designed one-piece swimsuit throughout the shoot.
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Condor, who is best known for her role in *To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before*, expressed the vulnerability she felt being exposed in a swimsuit for the duration of the film’s production. She noted, “One of the first things that came into my brain was, ‘You will be very exposed. You are going to be in a swimsuit the entire three months in, you know, 4K.’ The idea of that is very daunting.” This reflection indicates the pressure many actors face regarding body image, especially in visually demanding roles.
Understanding the importance of feeling secure in her own skin, Condor took it upon herself to advocate for her wardrobe choices. She recalled, “I very much advocated for a costume that would make me feel comfortable. I needed to feel safe in my body, full stop.” Her proactive approach paid off when the film’s costume department created a bespoke swimsuit tailored to her needs.
The essence of the film revolves around a group of college graduates who find themselves trapped in a cave system while being stalked by an angry shark. This high-stakes premise heightened Condor’s need for a costume that would not only be stylish but also practical and reassuring. She elaborated, “Because of that, I needed to feel safe. I was like, ‘I need you to put me in something that I feel comfortable in,’” illustrating her determination to ensure her comfort level during the shoot.
Principal photography for *The Devil’s Mouth* took place in Thailand, and Condor previously shared that the experience was both physically and emotionally demanding. Describing her time on set, she commented, “It was really intense. It was physically intense, emotionally intense. It was exhausting.” The filming schedule put the cast through rigorous days spent in the water, adding to the strain of portraying heightened survival scenarios.
“Every day when I finished, I was so excited to see a towel,” she shared, further illustrating the exhausting nature of the shoot. The actress recalled the relentless hours: “You’re in the water 12 to 13 hours a day, swimming for your life in real life — not just in movie land. In between takes, you’re still treading for your life.” Such demanding conditions not only tested her physical endurance but also required mental resilience.
To navigate the intensity of filming, particularly during sequences that involved fighting scenes with her friend and co-star Kathryn Newton, Condor employed various self-soothing techniques. She mentioned that she would sometimes meditate after a long day on set, while on other occasions, the comfort of a nice bottle of red wine served as her preferred method of unwinding.
Condor’s reflections speak to a broader conversation about self-care and well-being in a high-pressure industry. The emphasis on prioritising comfort, particularly when working in challenging environments, resonates with many who strive to maintain their mental and emotional health.
As *The Devil’s Mouth* approaches its release, Condor’s insights shed light not only on the dedication and hard work that goes into film-making but also on the significance of advocating for one’s needs while navigating the often demanding landscape of Hollywood. With the film set in a thrilling and precarious environment, viewers can anticipate a gripping performance from Condor and her co-stars, who bring their own real-life experiences to create a believable narrative of survival against the odds.