Emma Stone Says HerPoor ThingsSex Scenes Are 'Honest': 'I'm Not a Person That Just Wants to Be Naked'

Mar. 15, 2025

Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo inPoor Things(2023).Photo:Searchlight Pictures

Searchlight Pictures

Emma Stoneis all about commitment to her craft.

Stone touched on the “honest” nature of the sex scenes in an interview withBBC Radio 4’sFront Rowthis week, saying of her work on theYorgos Lanthimos-directed film, “So much of this was about being true to Bella’s experience.”

“[The sex] is obviously a huge part of her experience and her growth, as it is, I think, for most people in life,” theAcademy Awardwinner explained, adding later, “So for the camera to sort of shy away from that, or to say like, ‘Okay, well, we’ll just cut all of this out because our society functions in a particular way’ … it felt like a lack of being honest about who Bella is.”

“I’m not a person that just wants to be naked all the time, but I am someone who wants to honor the character as fully as I possibly can. That’s part of her journey,” Stone explained.

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Emma Stone inPoor Things(2023).Searchlight Pictures

Sex is “just one aspect of many” in terms of Bella’s character though, Stone noted, which also includes “her discovery of food, philosophy, travel and dance.”

Stone, whopreviously won a Best Actress Oscarfor her lead role as Mia Dolan in the 2016 musical romance filmLa La Land, has been sweeping awards season again.

She has alreadynabbed acting honorsat both the 2024Golden Globe AwardsandCritics Choice Awardsthis month, and was announced Thursdayas a nomineefor leading actress at the upcoming 2024BAFTA Awards.Poor Thingsalso won best picture, musical or comedy, at the Globes.

Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo inPoor Things(2023).20th Century Studios

20th Century Studios

As for Ruffalo, 56, he recently said in an interview withPerfect Magazineof his role, “I didn’t know if I could pull this off. … I’ve never done anything like [Poor Things] before.”

“So, like, the sex scenes,” the three-time Oscar nominee said of acting opposite Stone in the film. “Am Itoo old to be doing thatkind of stuff? Does anyone want to see that?”

Also during Ruffalo’s interview forPerfect, which included multipleskin-baring snapsof the actor inits accompanying photo shoot, he discussed politics, social media and the depiction of sex on screen.

“I feel like we’re in this prudish time for films," Ruffalo said. “Sexuality is so deeply connected to the psychology of a character. And it should be explored in that sense, too.”

Poor Thingsis now playing in theaters.

source: people.com