Elnaaz Norouzi Brings Persian Pride to ‘The Fix’

Elnaaz Norouzi explains why the unpredictable rescue thriller was impossible to resist and teases what audiences can expect from Zahra.

The Fix sends a team of CIA operators into the heart of Tehran for a dangerous mission built around redemption, sacrifice, and survival. However, Elnaaz Norouzi brings another vital dimension to the action thriller through Zahra, a determined woman who refuses to remain on the sidelines.

Norouzi recently spoke with Nerdtropolis about joining the film, working opposite Zachary Levi and sharing Persian culture with her co-stars. While she was careful not to reveal the movie’s biggest surprises, she promised audiences won’t be prepared for everything Zahra can do.

“It’s based on a true story, which really goes back to the country that I was born in,” Norouzi told Nerdtropolis. “We want to tell those stories. We want the world to know those stories.”

Why Elnaaz Norouzi Joined ‘The Fix’

The Fix follows a group of war-torn CIA operators mentored by Larry, played by Liam Neeson, and led by Tucker, played by Zachary Levi. After their mission in Afghanistan ends tragically, the team enters Tehran to pull off a daring rescue and earn redemption.

For Norouzi, there was no single reason to join the project. The complete package attracted her, from the filmmakers and screenplay to the story’s cultural connection and impressive cast.

“When you choose to do a film, it’s not really just one thing or the other,” Norouzi explained. “There are so many things. You do look at who’s producing it. You do look at who’s written it, who is the director and who is the cast.”

She felt that everything came together perfectly for The Fix. The opportunity to work alongside experienced performers such as Levi and Neeson made the project even more appealing.

“You have just these very small actors like Zachary Levi and Liam Neeson,” she joked. “Obviously, those are big factors. You want to act opposite Zachary Levi. You want to share the screen with Liam Neeson.”

Norouzi also viewed the production as an opportunity to learn from actors whose careers have crossed multiple genres.

“These are awesome actors to be working with and to have the opportunity to be around them and learn so much from them,” she said. “Everything was perfect for me for The Fix.”

Zahra Refuses to Be Left Behind

Norouzi could not reveal many details about Zahra without entering spoiler territory. However, she described the character as someone who shares her persistence and unwillingness to give up.

“Zahra is a little bit like me in the sense that she never gives up, and she just wants to be part of it,” Norouzi said.

Zahra does not begin the story as one of the experienced operators. She initially enters the operation while posing as Tucker’s wife, but the situation quickly becomes much more complicated.

“The story evolves, and then suddenly she’s just like, ‘No, I’m going to be part of this. You can’t get rid of me,’” Norouzi explained. “‘Now I’m your wife, and I’m in it to win it.’”

That determination allows Zahra to become more than a supporting figure in someone else’s mission. Norouzi teased that the character has several surprises waiting for audiences.

“I can’t really give away a lot, but I think people are going to be very, very surprised by what Zahra can do,” she said.

If Norouzi ever found herself involved in a real rescue mission, she already knows which position she would claim.

“I think I’d be the leader, and I would strategize,” she said. “I wouldn’t let anything fall apart.”

Zachary Levi Brings Action and Humor

Levi has built his career around performances filled with humor, charm, and physical energy. The Fix gives him an opportunity to embrace a more serious action role as Tucker.

Norouzi praised Levi’s commitment to the material while revealing that he still kept the atmosphere entertaining between takes.

“It was so much fun to work with Zach,” she said. “This film was very serious for him, and he’s playing this amazing action star, which he’s doing so well.”

Although Levi remained focused when the cameras started rolling, he did not allow the production’s heavier material to take all the fun out of making the movie.

“He was always so serious on set, but then he wouldn’t let that stop the fun,” Norouzi explained. “When we were waiting for the camera angle to change or whatever, we’d have a lot of fun. We’d make jokes, and we’d talk. I think he’s a fantastic co-star.”

Norouzi Shared Persian Culture With the Cast

Norouzi’s connection to Iran extended beyond her performance. She also introduced her co-stars to Persian food and helped them understand more about the culture represented in the story.

“We did have chai (tea) for sure,” she said. “I also tried taking some of my other co-stars to Persian restaurants and being like, ‘Hey, this is Persian food, and you should know Persian food.’ They all loved it, obviously.”

Her essential recommendations included koobideh, a popular Persian ground-meat kebab, and ghormeh sabzi, a traditional herb stew.

“I’m a little bit of a koobideh person, so obviously, koobideh is something you’ve got to make everybody eat,” Norouzi said. “Or ghormeh sabzi. This is the main Persian stew you should have tried. I always try to sprinkle a little bit of Persian everywhere.”

Norouzi believes the experience gave the cast a greater understanding of Iran and its people.

“I feel like all of these actors got to learn and know so much about Iran and Iranian culture because of The Fix,” she said. “That’s just great to see.”

An Unpredictable Espionage Thriller

Between The Fix and her previous work in espionage stories, Norouzi has developed a clear appreciation for thrillers that keep audiences guessing.

“I love thrillers, and I love not knowing what’s happening next,” she said. “Then the twists come in these kinds of films, and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, I did not see that coming.’”

For Norouzi, successfully hiding a story’s destination represents one of the most exciting accomplishments in filmmaking.

“I feel like that’s peak filmmaking, where you make a film and nobody can see what’s obvious,” she explained. “That’s not easy. My favorite part of it is not knowing what’s going to happen next.”

When challenged to describe The Fix in only three words, Norouzi ultimately settled on a fitting trio: “Action, thrilling and surprising.”

Even that description, she acknowledged, only scratches the surface of a film designed to keep its secrets hidden until the final moments.

The Fix is now playing in theaters.

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