Zendaya Called This Sam Levinson Project a "New Chapter" – And It's Not 'Euphoria'

Zendaya is one of those rare actresses who has broken free from the constraints of the studio system, proving that childhood fame doesn't necessarily mark the peak of a career.

She started out at Disney, working as an actress, singer, and dancer – the perfect fit for family projects. However, Zendaya felt pigeonholed by teen dramas and dreamed of taking on more serious roles.

She had her breakthrough in 2021 when she starred alongside John David Washington in Sam Levinson's movie Malcolm & Marie.

Zendaya Was "Really Proud" to Make 'Malcolm & Marie'

For Zendaya, Malcolm & Marie marked her debut in a leading role in a feature film. Prior to this, she had primarily worked in television, so transitioning to the big screen was a pivotal step in her career.

Moreover, unlike her previous projects, the movie tackled far more mature themes, and the role demanded emotional commitment and a profound understanding of the complex psychology of an adult woman. Zendaya said:

“I think this is a new chapter for me.”

Filming took place at the height of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, which taught the actress to be creative under constrained circumstances:

“There are a lot of people learning how to be creative during this time and learning how to take a leap while doing it safely in quarantine. It was interesting to experience that with my film Malcolm & Marie, and I'm really proud of that.”

What Is 'Malcolm & Marie' About?

Malcolm is a young director whose film debut has just caused a sensation. Marie, his girlfriend and the inspiration for the movie's protagonist, was neglected when he failed to thank her while presenting the movie on stage.

This minor oversight sparks a massive argument – a conflict brews between the lovers, gradually revealing all their grievances, fears, and unspoken resentments.

'Malcolm & Marie' Marked a Major Milestone in Zendaya's Career, but Not for the Industry

Despite Sam Levinson's ambition and clear desire to make a statement, Malcolm & Marie fell short of the triumph its creators had hoped for. Critics gave the film a lukewarm reception, noting its excess of text and lack of self-irony.

Amidst the romantic squabbles are frequent monologues about the filmmaker's role in modern cinema, the authenticity of creative work, and criticism that focuses on social issues while ignoring the cinematic craft entirely.

This textual excess extends to the visual style: whenever the characters launch into their exhausting monologues, the camera begins to circle them, repeating the same movements over and over.

Ultimately, Malcolm & Marie remains a significant milestone in Zendaya's career, though not in the history of cinema.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Malcolm & Marie'?

• Malcolm & Marie has 57% from critics and 66% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.6/10.

• On Letterboxd, Malcolm & Marie scored 3.1/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Malcolm & Marie'?

Malcolm & Marie is available to stream on Netflix.