> At a Glance
> – Julia Roberts openly wept while praising her After the Hunt co-star Ayo Edebiri
> – The pair, plus Andrew Garfield and director Luca Guadagnino, still talk regularly
> – A pivotal on-set slap scene cemented their “friends for life” status
> – Why it matters: Shows how an intense film shoot can forge real, lasting friendships across generations
Julia Roberts’ latest film didn’t just land her a Golden Globe nomination-it delivered a genuine new friendship with breakout star Ayo Edebiri.
Emotional Interview
Speaking with Deadline for a Jan. 6 piece, Roberts, 58, grew audibly emotional when asked about Edebiri, 30. The actors play professor and student whose relationship fractures in After the Hunt.
> Roberts said:
> > “I admire her so much, and I really, truly adore her. I think she’s one of the most talented young people I have ever spent time with.”
The Oscar winner added that her feelings for Edebiri “are so profound” and revealed that the cast-including Andrew Garfield-and director Luca Guadagnino stay in touch by simply talking about “life.”
On-Set Chemistry
Weeks before cameras rolled, Roberts invited the ensemble to her California home for rehearsals. That early bonding, she told News Of Los Angeles in October, became a “gift that keeps on giving.”
- The intimacy grew when Edebiri’s character slaps Roberts in a pivotal scene
- Roberts calls that moment the point where they became “friends for life”
- She joked she can’t look at Edebiri without “cry[ing] my fake eyelashes off”
Awards Season
Roberts is up for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama at the Jan. 11 Golden Globes, competing against:
- Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
- Jennifer Lawrence (Die My Love)
- Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)
- Tessa Thompson (Hedda)
- Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby)
Key Takeaways
- A two-week rehearsal retreat at Roberts’ home sparked the close bond
- The emotional slap scene sealed the lifetime friendship
- The multigenerational cast still group-chats regularly
- Roberts’ heartfelt praise shows genuine respect for Edebiri’s talent
With Roberts prepping Panic Carefully and Edebiri fresh off Ella McCay and I Love LA, the two have promised to stay “locked-in” long after awards season ends.
