“The Last of Us” actor Ariela Barer will star in A24’s “Deep Cuts,” replacing Odessa A’zion after she dropped out of the film due to controversy over her casting.
“Deep Cuts” is adapted from the 2025 novel by Holly Brickley. A’zion was originally cast in the role of Zoe Gutierrez, who is described in the book as half-Jewish and half-Mexican. A’zion, who is Jewish, said she hadn’t read the book and was unaware of the character’s origins when she signed onto the project. After a public outcry over complaints of whitewashing, A’zion swiftly exited the movie.
“Guys!! I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie. F— that. I’m OUT,” A’zion wrote in late January on her Instagram Stories. “I’m so so sorry that this happened. It is SO important for me to let you in on how it all went down. I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes! I’m so pissed y’all, I hadn’t read the book and should have paid attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting…and now that I know what I know? Fuck that. I’m out!”
A’zion, who broke out in last year’s A24’s “Marty Supreme” and HBO’s “I Love LA,” concluded her lengthy post by saying, “I’d never take a role from someone else that’s meant to do it. That SHOULD do it! That’s not me. There are a plentitude of people more than capable of playing this role and I am not one of them.”
On Tuesday, A’zion responded on Instagram to Barer’s casting, writing, “THAT’S WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT BABY. Always stand up for what I KNOW is right. I stand by my decision and am so so so so so happy this is the outcome. C’mon baby!! She’s gonna eat it up.”
In a separate Instagram Story, Barer commended A’zion for her decision to part ways with “Deep Cuts,” saying, “A genuine major shoutout to @odessaazion for always leading with integrity and being an absolute real one for as long as I’ve known her.”
Barer, whose other major credits include “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” and “See You When I See You,” is Mexican American and Jewish. She joins the previously announced cast of “Priscilla” star Cailee Spaeny and “Queer” actor Drew Starkey. Austin Butler and Saoirse Ronan were originally set to lead the film but dropped out due to scheduling issues.
Sean Durkin (“The Iron Claw”) is writing and directing the 2000s-set “Deep Cuts,” described as a love story about two music-obsessed 20-somethings navigating the messy realities of ambition, belonging and adulthood over the course of an era-defining decade. Barer’s Zoe Gutierrez is the close friend of Cailee Spaeny’s character Percy and the ex of Starkey’s Joe.
“Deep Cuts” is expected to imminently begin production. The film will be produced by Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie, with Durkin also producing along with Anthony Katagas, Jordan Tappis and A24.