Max Minghella Talks Shell, Reuniting with Elisabeth Moss, and 15 Years of The Social Network – INTERVIEW

Max Minghella returns to the director’s chair with Shell.

Max Minghella has spent much of his career in front of the camera, but with Shell, he steps behind it once again for his second feature film. Written by Jack Stanley, the thriller stars Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson, Arian Moayed, Este Haim, Elizabeth Berkley, and Kaia Gerber. The story follows Samantha Lake (Moss), a once-beloved actress desperate to reclaim her career, who becomes entangled with wellness mogul Zoe Shannon (Hudson), only to discover a disturbing truth beneath the glamorous surface.

For Minghella, directing is where his passion lies. “My taste is so eclectic, it’s crazy,” he admitted. “I basically like all kinds of movies, from Armageddon to Mia Hansen-Løve films. My honest answer is I hope I just get to keep making movies, period. It’s where my real passion lies, and I hope I can make all kinds of films.”

Looking Back at The Social Network

Our conversation took place on the 15th anniversary of The Social Network, the Oscar-winning drama in which Minghella made a memorable appearance as Divya Narendra. The milestone gave him a moment to reflect.

“It was an amazing experience working with David Fincher,” Minghella said. “He’s so brilliant with actors. He really allows you to explore and not feel rushed. He creates the opportunity for performers to really have a go at it and not feel rigid. That’s something I’ve tried to carry into my own work.”

That experience, he explained, shaped how he now approaches directing. “Fincher is actually very efficient with his time on set, but he always creates space for actors. I’ve tried to bring that into my own work by making sure performers feel free to explore without being boxed in.”

Reuniting with Elisabeth Moss

Minghella reunited with his Handmaid’s Tale co-star Elisabeth Moss for Shell, and their creative shorthand was a natural fit for the project. “We’ve worked together a long time, and we have a very similar approach,” he explained. “We take the work really seriously, but we don’t take ourselves very seriously at all. That chemistry carried over, and she blew me away in this movie. She’s so funny, and she gave it everything on a very limited schedule.”

Kate Hudson’s Iconic Turn

The film also showcases Kate Hudson in a role Minghella describes as unforgettable. “I hoped she and Elisabeth would have the chemistry they do on screen—and they absolutely do,” he said. “Kate is doing something kind of iconic in this movie. She’s so charismatic and self-possessed in a way that very few actors are, and that was so necessary for this character.”

Filmmaking in His DNA

As the son of the late director Anthony Minghella, Max spent much of his childhood around the industry. While he didn’t always visit sets, he absorbed invaluable lessons in post-production. “I spent a lot of time in editing rooms, ADR sessions, and sound mixing,” he recalled. “That gave me a reference point for how all that works, and I’ve been really grateful for it now that I make my own films.”

DCU Rumors and the Joy of Acting

The actor-director has also been the subject of fan speculation about joining James Gunn’s DC Universe as Clayface. Though he wouldn’t confirm, Minghella admitted that acting has always tapped into his childlike imagination.

“Acting is very kid-like,” he said. “It’s a wonderful way to tap into that imagination we all have as children. When I did Spiral with Chris Rock, it felt like wish fulfillment. If you told me at 10 years old that I’d be in a buddy cop movie with him, it would’ve sounded too good to be true.”

What’s Next for Minghella

As for when he’ll next step behind the camera, Minghella teased that it may be sooner than later. “Hopefully soon,” he said. “I think I’m going to be directing something in a different capacity soon that we’ll be able to talk about. But in terms of movies, I really hope to get back to it as soon as I’ve wrapped these other projects—because I miss it already.”

Shell is now playing in select theaters and is available on Digital.

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