Jennifer Lawrence in a scene from mother! Photo / AP
What does nature mean to you and what do you do to help the environment?
I do what I can. I recycle and I try not to waste. I worry so much, it's tough. There is only so much control that we have but I love Mother Earth and I love nature. It breaks my heart when I see what's going in the world and I just want us to all stop arguing with each other over silly politics. I realise that we all have only one home and that is earth.
This film is polarising. Darren Aronofsky (director) had to endure some negative reactions at the Venice Film Festival. What's your view?
Oh, Darren's films always get booed in Venice (laughs). What he's trying to do is to incite empathy for our planet through this movie and he is trying to get us to feel for our home. And I could cry talking about it.
He does a lot of dark movies. Did that attract you?
Well, it's not like I Googled "deep dark directors" and Darren's name came up. I think he's brilliant and creative. He's a genius.
Do you believe the theory that you need to suffer for your art?
No. I don't think you have to suffer to make art. I have always had a lot of fun filming, but there were a couple of scenes in this movie where I did suffer. This is the most vulnerable I've ever felt doing a movie.
What's the best and worst thing about being an actress in 2017?
The best is that I get to make movies and I get to do the only thing I am good at. The worst is cellphones, because they all have cameras.
What's the last piece of art that provoked an unexpected emotional response from you?
I just saw Peace in Paris. It was just incredible and describing it is going to butcher it. But it's about gender selection in China and the artist, Prune Nourry, she made lifesize artefacts of individuals with unique faces. She is going to unearth them in 2030.
Did playing a mother inspire maternal feelings in you?
I definitely have maternal stirrings (laughs). I just mean that I see myself being a mother one day but everything might change.
You've had problems in the past dealing with fame. Is it getting easier?
Yes, it's easier now. I have less anxiety than I used to have and I refuse to let anybody make me feel like I have to wear a hat and sunglasses when I have to go to the grocery store or that I have to go everywhere with security. I am so grateful for where I am in life, but just like any job, you have to adjust and find ways to make it work for you.
Are you still watching reality TV to wind down?
Yes! It's my one consistent thing that I do every night, that's how I tuck myself in. It's my self-soothing method.
You're 27 now and you've grown up in the business. How do you feel about getting older?
None of us are exempt from getting older but I am much happier to be getting older. I don't look at anyone younger with envy because I remember the confusion and my personal insecurity and all those things that you grow out of, or at least I grew out of, as I got older.
What or who is your muse?
I don't have muses. Does my dog Pippi count? I guess technically the Kardashians would be my muse.