Sonoya Mizuno Steps Behind the Camera for A24's Stages
Credit : Ex Machina
The transition from muse to architect is always the most compelling narrative in cinema. Sonoya Mizuno, the British-Japanese actress whose ethereal command of movement defined her breakout roles in projects like Ex Machina and La La Land, is officially stepping behind the lens. Her directorial debut, Stages, is now underway, backed by the two studios that have redefined modern, auteur-driven visual culture: A24 and Film4.
Mizuno's background is the key to understanding the anticipation surrounding this project. Before carving out her unique lane in Hollywood—a lane that stretches from the surreal sci-fi of Annihilation to the spectacle of Crazy Rich Asians—she was rooted in the rigorous, disciplined world of ballet. Having trained at the Royal Ballet School and danced with prestigious companies across Europe, her foundational language is kinetic and fiercely controlled. Stages is reportedly inspired by this very artistic history, suggesting a film where movement and performance are not secondary elements but the driving narrative force.
The project is already a fascinating study in creative evolution. Mizuno’s career has been intrinsically linked to director Alex Garland, who gave her the breakout role in Ex Machina and later featured her prominently in Annihilation and the FX series Devs. Now, Garland will serve as a producer on Stages, marking another chapter in a partnership that Mizuno describes as "always felt collaborative and also unique to the three of us"—a dynamic where she felt empowered to offer ideas in a "very equal place."
This established trust and the multidisciplinary lens of Mizuno—who understands the geometry of a body in space better than most directors—makes Stages one of the most intriguing directorial debuts on the horizon. A24, known for championing filmmakers who possess a singular visual vision, is the perfect sanctuary for a story rooted in the disciplined, beautiful, and often brutal world of performance. This is the moment the dancer takes control of the spotlight, turning her own history into the subject matter.
