From child star to acclaimed actor: Haley Joel Osment’s career evolution.
Haley Joel Osment has come a long way since his breakout role in The Sixth Sense. Now, in Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut Blink Twice, Osment brings his talent to a psychological drama set on a mysterious island. The film, which follows Frida (Naomi Ackie) and billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) on a seemingly perfect vacation that soon unravels into chaos, presents a tense narrative. Osment plays a key role in building the suspense that keeps audiences guessing throughout the film.
In my recent conversation with Haley Joel Osment, he discussed the collaborative and creative atmosphere on the set of Blink Twice. “Zoe is such an impressive person,” Osment said. “This was her first movie, but it didn’t feel like it. She had such a clear vision, and it was inspiring to work with someone like that.” Check out the full interview below!
Osment also touched on how unique the script was when he first received it, under its original title Pussy Island. “The title really reflected the spirit of the process,” he said. “It got us to where we needed to go, but you could feel that unique atmosphere even from the script. Zoe’s music choices were so specific, too. We even had speakers on set playing the playlist while we worked. It really tied the whole film together.”
The film’s immersive setting was both a challenge and an opportunity for the cast.
Osment explained how the remote island location added both practical difficulties and a deeper connection to the narrative. “We were way out in the jungle. It was challenging when something went wrong because we couldn’t just run into the city for a quick fix,” he said. “But Zoe kept things calm and focused, and we managed to stay nearly on schedule despite it all.”
As we talked more, Osment shared the camaraderie on set. The cast, including actors like Simon Pegg and Lizzy Caplan, spent much time together even when they weren’t filming. “It was a very funny group,” Osment said, unable to pick a standout joker among them. He also described a memorable off-day trip to Chichen Itza with his co-stars. “It was special,” he said with a smile.
Of course, our conversation couldn’t be complete without touching on his other projects.
When I asked about his favorite M. Night Shyamalan film outside The Sixth Sense, Osment was quick to mention Unbreakable, which he called a “deeply underrated” film. We also talked about his voice acting work, notably as Sora in Kingdom Hearts, which he described as one of his most rewarding experiences. “Playing Sora has been such a journey,” he said. “It’s a character that’s resonated with so many fans over the years, and I feel really lucky to be a part of that.”
Osment’s recent projects also include his voice work in Batman: Caped Crusader and Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, along with a role in the upcoming second season of Tim Burton’s Wednesday. “I love exploring different genres,” he said. “It keeps things exciting, and I feel really fortunate to be working on so many interesting projects.” With Blink Twice, Osment continues to prove himself as an actor who can bring depth to any role, all while balancing a dynamic career in film, TV, and voice acting. As for Zoë Kravitz, Osment is just as curious as the rest of us to see what she does next. “She’s really announced herself as a major director to be reckoned with,” he said.
Blink Twice is now playing in theaters, offering audiences a thrilling experience that blends suspense with stellar performances from an ensemble cast. Read my review!
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
