When sisters Kate and Rooney Mara sit down for an interview, they finish each other’s sentences with a precision that feels almost choreographed. But according to the two actresses, their conversational synchronicity is less about performance and more about a lifetime of shared instincts - a dynamic they leaned into while promoting their latest project, the provocatively titled Bucking Fastard.

Speaking to reporters this week, the pair offered a rare joint glimpse into their working relationship, the unspoken rules of their sibling shorthand, and the unlikely directorial influence of Werner Herzog, whose no-nonsense approach to filmmaking left a lasting impression on both women.

The headline-grabbing quote of the day came from Kate Mara, who recalled Herzog’s blunt philosophy on set. “He doesn’t give a s***,” she said, laughing, before elaborating on how the legendary German director’s refusal to coddle actors paradoxically freed her from self-doubt. “There’s something incredibly liberating about working with someone who cares so deeply about the final image that he has no patience for your insecurity. It forces you to just be.” Rooney nodded in agreement, adding that Herzog’s methods stripped away the usual Hollywood pretense. “He treats every shot like it might be the last one on Earth,” she said. “You can’t phone it in. You can’t hide behind technique. He wants raw, and he’ll wait - impatiently - until you give him raw.”

While the sisters did not disclose specific plot details about Bucking Fastard - and no studio has yet matched the title to a confirmed production slate - the project has clearly served as a canvas for their exploration of what Rooney called “synchronized sisterhood.” Both actresses acknowledged that working together carries inherent risks, chief among them the blurring of personal and professional boundaries. Yet, they insisted, the experience has deepened their bond rather than strained it.

“We’ve spent our whole lives developing this private language,” Kate explained. “When we’re on set, it’s like we have a secret decoder ring. I don’t have to explain a motivation or a backstory to Rooney - she already knows it because she knows me.” Rooney echoed the sentiment, noting that their familiarity allows them to take creative risks they might not attempt with other actors. “With a stranger, you’re always negotiating trust. With Kate, trust is the starting point, not the destination. That means we can push each other further, be more vulnerable, and also be more honest when something isn’t working.”

The sisters’ candor extended to a discussion of their long and varied careers in an industry that often pits women against one another. Both acknowledged that the public has frequently tried to compare them, but they have never felt competitive. “We’re each other’s biggest champions,” Rooney said. “There’s no finite amount of success. Her win is my win. I don’t understand any other way to see it.” Kate agreed, adding that their shared last name has sometimes created confusion in casting offices, but it has never created tension between them. “We’ve always been aware that we’re on the same team,” she said.

The conversation inevitably turned to Herzog’s broader life lessons, which the Maras said extend beyond the craft of acting. Kate recounted a moment on set when Herzog, frustrated with a technical delay, simply walked away and started filming a nearby landscape, instructing the crew to capture the texture of the dirt. “He said, ‘If the scene is not ready, the Earth is always ready,’” she recalled. “That stayed with me. It’s a reminder that perfectionism can be an enemy. Sometimes you have to embrace what’s in front of you instead of waiting for what you imagine.” Rooney added that Herzog’s fearlessness taught her to embrace failure as a necessary ingredient. “He’s made movies that are weird and wonderful and sometimes they don’t work, but he never plays it safe. Watching him operate is like a masterclass in courage.”

Neither sister would confirm whether Bucking Fastard marks the beginning of a new era of regular collaboration, but both left the door open. “We’re not going to force it,” Rooney said. “If the right project comes along and we both feel that pull, we’ll know. But I think we’ve proven to ourselves that we can do this - and do it well.” Kate smiled, a knowing glance passing between them. “Let’s just say the door is very much ajar.”

As the interview wound down, the sisters were asked what they have learned from each other that they carry into every project, with or without the other on set. Rooney did not hesitate. “Kate taught me that you can be fierce and kind at the same time. That’s rare.” Kate paused, then answered with equal speed. “Rooney taught me that you don’t have to fill every silence with noise. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is just listen.”

For fans of the Mara sisters, the prospect of more joint projects is an enticing one. And if Herzog’s influence is any indication, whatever they do next will be unflinching, uncompromising, and entirely without pretense - just the way their mentor would want it.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter