‘White Lotus’ Star Sam Nivola on Lochlan’s Trauma in Thailand: “He’s Going Through a Full-Blown Identity Crisis”

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[This story contains major spoilers from The White Lotus season three finale, “Amor Fati.”]

By the finale of “The White Lotus”‘ third season, Lochlan Ratliff managed to live despite a lethal dose of poisonous piña colada. However, Sam Nivola believes that he didn’t have any lasting insights or realizations from his brush with death. The actor comments, “Regrettably, I think the only thing he’s taking away from Thailand is another traumatic memory.”

In this version, I aimed to maintain the original meaning and tone while making it more readable and natural for a broader audience.

In the final episode broadcast on HBO on Sunday night, viewers witnessed the Ratliff siblings experiencing personal growth, ranging from spiritual enlightenment (as Saxon discovered his inner spirituality and hinted at having a soul) to materialistic advancements (Piper becoming particular about thread count and organic food). Nivola commented, “Saxon changes, he learns to treat women with more respect, which is positive for him, but I don’t believe Lochlan evolves in the same manner. I think he remains just as lost as he was previously.

Two days following the broadcast of the finale, Nivola discussed his character’s lack of emotional journey, confronting his fears during a crucial scene, and maintaining the storyline secret – from certain individuals – with The Hollywood Reporter.

Is it your belief that Lochlan genuinely meant what he said to Timothy about being content without their entire fortune? If so, might he adjust better than the others once they realize they’ve lost everything altogether?

I believe he will follow through on his plans. I don’t consider what he said as a deception – it’s not the main topic of discussion for him. Instead, I perceive his troubles as deeply personal rather than external ones, while other family members seem to struggle with outer challenges as well. Money is tangible and not an inherent aspect of one’s being; Lochlan appears to be indicating that he’s preoccupied with more pressing matters because there are bigger issues at hand for him. He seems to be grappling with a severe identity crisis.

Did you, as Lachlan, decide on your own that you drank the remaining poison piña colada because you thought it was leftover protein shake from Saxon? Or did you consult with creator Mike White on set about this decision?

It wasn’t something I needed to be explained; it seemed clear to me. It struck me as common sense. Recently, I’ve been surprised by how many people have inquired about it within the past 24 hours, I hadn’t anticipated such a big deal. I’ve gone ahead and done that. If I’m blending several smoothies daily, and there’s a bit of leftover residue at the bottom, it’s all part of the same routine, you understand?

Some people have been questioning when the shooting occurred and the boats’ departure times from the resort, largely because the guests leaving don’t appear to be in a state of alarm over reports of fatalities. Were the Ratliffs aware of the incident?

It appears there’s an element of self-centeredness in the characters, which can be quite amusing given that it’s part of the show’s charm and how much we grow to love them over nine hours. However, this group of wealthy individuals primarily focuses on their own interests. To clarify, this is more of a question for Mike, but I believe they don’t seem too concerned about anything outside of their personal belongings. While filming, we rationalized this behavior by noting that the shooting coincided with loading the boat, and it’s likely that the hotel staff would want to maintain discretion regarding the incident to preserve their high-paying clients. After all, maximizing profits is paramount for The White Lotus resort, as its primary goal is capitalistic money-making.

Can you talk about what sticks out for you from the filming of the near-death scene?

We captured two different takes of the submerged scene: one depicted me attempting to swim towards the surface, while the other showed me emerging from a waterlogged coffin followed by drowning. Although exiting the coffin added an intriguing visual effect, there was concern that it might confuse viewers – after all, did he die and then get thrown into the sea? Filming continued throughout the day, and it felt incredibly eerie and disorienting to undo myself from a body bag underwater.

Are you claustrophobic?

Man, I’m not a fan of boats or being trapped in enclosed spaces, it really gives me the heebie-jeebies. You know that crazy Full Moon party scene we filmed? It was the real deal, with a whopping 100,000 people on the beach, on a different island no less! To get there, you’ve got to hop on a boat, and once you’re there, well, you’re stuck until the next ride leaves. For someone like me who battles claustrophobia and agoraphobia, that’s a real nerve-wracker, but I guess it’s a form of exposure therapy. It makes me feel tougher, more resilient for having faced it.

Did you tell anyone in your close circle what to expect from this season?

I indeed went ahead with it, knowing I shouldn’t have. However, I only shared the news with my dearest friends and family, my confidants. I felt compelled to prepare my parents and my 15-year-old sister for what was coming in episode six, as they might have viewed me differently otherwise. My girlfriend, Iris Apatow, was there during the entire filming process. Mike isn’t overly protective about such matters; he trusts the cast, and by extension, those we chose to bring along. Interestingly, Mike has a friendship with my girlfriend’s father, Judd Apatow, which added to his trust in her, regardless of my actions. We were all like one big family, so when partners visited, they were just as welcome to be informed as they desired. My partner Patrick Schwarzenegger’s fiancée, Abby, preferred not to know anything about it.

And it’s possible to keep storylines from people who were there?

In reality, we pulled off a joke on her. We led her to believe that it was me and Patrick who had passed away. You see, she was cruising with Mike and Patrick at the time, and she said something like, “By the way, Mike, I’ve got a feeling that the brothers are no more.” Mike seemed puzzled for a moment before looking towards Patrick, who gave him a knowing wink. He went along with it, feigning sadness. The next day before last, Abby attended the final screening and watched it with everyone. When it ended, I could see her expression change to one of shock.

Did you all have any sense, as you were making the show, of how it would be received?

In essence, success isn’t always guaranteed, even with promising projects. I recall discussing this frequently with the cast during our time in Thailand. Actors often hear from their agents that a particular role will be life-changing, but that doesn’t always happen. It’s not because they’re misleading us; it’s just that things can appear promising at first, only for something to fall short. There are numerous shows and films with star-studded casts, brilliant scripts, and massive marketing budgets, yet they still fail to captivate audiences. Despite the fact that our first two seasons were highly successful, we didn’t have Jennifer Coolidge on board, who was a significant factor in their success. However, I had an extraordinary, life-altering experience making it, and I’m satisfied with how it turned out. That’s all anyone can truly hope for.

At what moment did you become aware that the season was successful, perhaps through feedback such as reviews or responses on social media?

I rarely use social media, primarily for work-related posts on Instagram, and I seldom check it. However, my grandmother frequently sends me articles about me that have been published. She’ll often say something like, “Here’s a link,” which is adorable because there’s no chance I’ll read it. Instead, I respond with, “I already did the interview, I remember what was discussed, grandma.

Is describing this show as life-changing, is there a specific tangible way that it did?

Joining this group has brought me some extraordinary individuals who rank among the finest I’ve ever encountered. We share an exclusive, unparalleled experience that others won’t comprehend except for us. This connection feels genuine. Moreover, it boosted my self-assurance significantly. For the first time, people outside of my immediate family have acknowledged and appreciated my performances. It’s been a frequent occurrence since then. I’m 21 years old, with limited experience in the field, which makes me question if I truly belong or deserve these opportunities that keep coming my way. At times, it feels as though I’m inhabiting another person’s life when success comes my way. However, now I realize that perhaps I do merit being a part of this circle and people appreciate the work I produce.

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2025-04-09 03:26