Sarah Paulson on Why Her Most Ambitious Role Yet Was Also Her Most Terrifying

• Collider's Perri Nemiroff chats with Sarah Paulson and Cody Fern for Closing Night at TIFF 2026.
• Fern discusses the inspiration
• Sarah Paulson stars as estranged movie star Sandra Vale in a tense family thriller.
• Fern drew on personal experience; Paulson praises his leadership and teases AHS S13.

American Horror Story breakout star Cody Fern world premiered his feature directorial debut, Closing Night, at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where he and Sarah Paulson stopped by the Collider Media Studio, presented by Campari and The Cayman Islands, to talk with Perri Nemiroff about the ideas that sparked this thriller and their journey from script to screen.

In the movie, Paulson stars as Sandra Vale, an international movie star who invites her estranged family to the opening night of her Broadway play. On her big night, emotional wounds reopen when her resentful and emotionally fragile sister, played by Naomi Watts (The Friend), attends with her nephew (Euphoria’s Toby Wallace), who’s hoping to spark a relationship with his famous aunt. The ensemble also features Academy Award winner Dianne Wiest (Practical Magic) and Odessa A’Zion (Marty Supreme).

This starring role was particularly special, considering Fern penned it with his American Horror Story co-star in mind. When asked about their reuniting, and about the ambitious roles Paulson has taken on throughout her career, Nemiroff poses the question, "Does anything scare you?" The award-winning actress admits:

"Everything. This was terrifying to do. Mostly because I truly did not want to let Cody down. I knew what he had written, and I thought, well, there's nothing more beautiful, but also nothing worse than somebody saying, ‘I wrote this for you,’ because you have a real opportunity then to fail miserably when they have an idea of what you're capable of, that you may not even be aware of your own capacity. I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to deliver what he thought or expected me to be able to deliver, so that was nerve-wracking. I get scared every time. I don't feel like I know what I'm doing ever."

Don't miss the full conversation, where Fern discusses how he drew from personal experience for the film and why he had unwavering faith in getting it made. Paulson praises Fern’s natural leadership and receptiveness to changes throughout filming, and opens up about the pressures of leading the film. Fern also teases his plans for the future, and Paulson gives exciting details about her role in American Horror Story Season 13. Check out the full conversation in the video above, with time codes provided below.

• 00:55 - What is Cody Fern’s Closing Night About?
• 01:50 - Fern’s Personal Experiences Inspired This Ambitious Feature Directorial Debut.
• 02:45 - Why Fern Had Unwavering Confidence that Closing Night Would Get Made
• 04:22 - Sarah Paulson Praises Fern’s Early Talent and Collaborative Openness
• 07:30 - Fern and Paulson on Actors’ Creative Agency and Trusting Their Instincts
• 09:53 - Paulson Opens Up About the Fears and Pressure of Starring in Closing Night
• 10:55 - Paulson on Finding the Emotional Headspace for the Unforgettable Final Scene
• 14:19 - Fern Teases Future Directing Projects
• 15:17 - Sarah Paulson Teases Her Ambitious Roles in American Horror Story Season 13

Closing Night premiered at the Toronto Film Festival 2026.