Ezra Miller isn’t hiding anymore — well, not exactly. After two years in near silence following a series of highly publicized controversies, the actor made an awkwardly public return this week, surfacing in Italy to speak about their place in Hollywood, their brief Cannes sprint, and their complicated past. What followed was part apology tour, part stream-of-consciousness therapy session, and a whole lot of unexpected.
Hollywood on “Tentative Grounds”
Miller showed up Thursday at the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival in Cagliari, Italy — their first official red carpet appearance in two years. But don’t mistake that for a full-blown comeback.
Asked about their current stance on cinema, Miller replied, “I’d say on tentative grounds.” It was the kind of answer that felt both raw and uncertain. Their voice reportedly trembled at times, though they didn’t shy away from making eye contact with journalists.
There was no glitzy entourage. No statement outfit designed to go viral. Just Ezra — black pants, a crop top, and the type of emotional baggage you don’t leave at customs.
That Wild Cannes Sprint: A Flash Cameo, Literally
Remember May? Miller made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance at the Cannes premiere of Lynne Ramsey’s “Die, My Love.” Blink, and they were gone.
Turns out that flash wasn’t for show. It was real discomfort.
“If you’ve been in the woods for three years,” Miller said, “I do not recommend going straight to Cannes, where every photographer and every weirdo, every rich genocidal freak be there, you know what I mean?”
Yes. Yes, Ezra. We do.
The actor says they only showed up at Cannes to support Ramsey, the filmmaker behind “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” and now, a close collaborator again. Miller said the two are co-writing a still-unnamed project, which may mark their first proper return to the screen.
Legal Turmoil, Public Fallout, and That 2022 Spiral
It’s impossible to talk about Ezra Miller’s career without mentioning 2022 — a year they probably wish never happened.
Two arrests in Hawaii. A restraining order. Assault accusations. Then came more disturbing allegations: grooming claims, disorderly conduct, and a burglary charge in Vermont.
Here’s a recap of the major headlines from that year:
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March: Arrested for disorderly conduct at a karaoke bar in Hawaii.
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April: Arrested again for second-degree assault after allegedly throwing a chair.
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June: Accused of grooming and inappropriate behavior by multiple parents.
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August: Charged with burglary in Vermont. Later pleaded guilty to trespassing.
All of this ended in an apology that didn’t exactly wipe the slate clean. Miller admitted to “complex mental health issues” and said they’d begun treatment.
“I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior,” they told Variety at the time. “I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.”
A Table of Ezra Miller’s 2022 Incidents & Outcomes
| Month | Incident | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| March 2022 | Disorderly conduct (karaoke bar, Hawaii) | Pleaded no contest, fined |
| April 2022 | Second-degree assault (Hawaii) | Arrested, released |
| June 2022 | Grooming and harassment allegations | No charges filed |
| August 2022 | Burglary in Vermont | Pleaded guilty to trespassing, probation |
Isolation, Writing, and Loyalty to Ramsey
Despite their obvious discomfort reentering the spotlight, Miller lit up when discussing director Lynne Ramsey.
“I’d do anything for her,” they said, eyes reportedly welling up. “We’re writing a film together. That will likely be the first thing I do.”
They also spoke about how writing has helped them heal, noting, “I’ve been writing a lot, because you can do that in solitude — which has been friendly to me.”
Just one sentence from them hit particularly hard: “Some places feel safe again.”
Raw, Rambly, and Very Ezra
The rest of the interview? Hard to summarize. It zigzagged between soul-searching reflections and near-philosophical ramblings.
Miller described their recent life as a series of “crucibles,” which, if you survived, gave you the capacity to help others going through hell. “Which was up in the air for me if I’m being real,” they said.
There were glimpses of clarity:
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“We’ve become very consumed in notions of perception, self-perception.”
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“The people who were there for me — they have my lifelong devotion.”
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“There are a lot of people in this industry who do not give a single f–k about you.”
They didn’t sugarcoat anything. Not even their remorse. “I hold a lot of remorse and lamentation for a lot of things that I did,” they said. “But I’m grateful for the lessons that came with that abyss.”
Reckoning, Redemption, or Retirement?
So, what now for Ezra Miller?
They haven’t announced a new film. They’re not officially attached to any major studio projects. Warner Bros. remains silent on their future as The Flash. But if there’s one thing clear, it’s that Miller hasn’t written themselves off.
Their reentry isn’t a PR-crafted redemption arc. It’s messy. Emotional. Barely stitched together. And maybe that’s why it feels real.
Whether Hollywood is ready to forgive Ezra Miller remains a question. Whether Miller is ready to face it again — well, even they don’t seem too sure.
