The Oscar-winning filmmaker reflects on her latest projects and the personal challenges she faces in an industry not built for people who think differently.

Zhao Reflects on Creative Freedom and Personal Identity

November 20, 2025: Chloé Zhao is stepping into a bold new professional chapter — and she’s speaking openly about what drives her creativity, what challenges her, and how her neurodivergence shapes her artistry. In a recent conversation, the Nomadland and Eternals filmmaker discussed her connection to her upcoming film Hamnet, her interest in reviving Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and her experiences navigating Hollywood as a “deeply neurodivergent” creator.

Zhao shared that embracing her neurodivergence has helped her understand her unique working style. She described it as both a gift and a challenge, noting that Hollywood’s fast-paced, often rigid systems can feel overwhelming. Still, she emphasized that her differences fuel her imagination and help her build emotional, grounded worlds that resonate with audiences globally.

Hamnet: A Story That Felt “Meant for Her”

Zhao’s next major project, Hamnet, has already generated significant buzz. Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel, the film explores grief, family, and the blurred line between art and life — themes Zhao gravitates toward. She revealed that the emotional richness of the story immediately drew her in.

“It was one of those projects where I felt seen,” Zhao said, noting that the narrative’s introspective and layered nature allowed her to bring her signature poetic realism to the screen. According to early insiders, Zhao’s adaptation is shaping up to be one of her most intimate films yet.

HOLR has the latest news as anticipation builds for the director’s thoughtful retelling of the award-winning story.

Considering a Buffy Revival

In addition to Hamnet, Zhao expressed her admiration for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, hinting that she would love to take on a revival of the cult-classic series if the right opportunity arose. She described the show as emotionally rich, character-driven, and full of youthful energy — qualities she feels connected to as a filmmaker.

Bringing her quiet, atmospheric storytelling to the supernatural world of Buffy would mark a major tonal shift, but Zhao believes her perspective could offer something new to the beloved franchise.

Hollywood Through a Neurodivergent Lens

Zhao has long been vocal about the pressures of the industry, but this time, she specifically addressed how being neurodivergent influences the way she communicates, makes decisions, and manages a set. She stressed the importance of patience, understanding, and safe creative spaces — elements she tries to build into every project.

Her candidness is already inspiring conversations about inclusivity behind the camera, particularly for people whose thought processes fall outside Hollywood norms.