Hollywood star Ana de Armas shared intimate insights into her long-standing friendship with Keanu Reeves and her unexpected rise as an action-film lead during an “In Conversation” event at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Friday. Speaking to a packed audience, the Oscar-nominated actress reflected on her journey from Cuba to global stardom and the relationships that helped shape her career.
De Armas revealed that she first met Reeves shortly after she moved to Los Angeles more than a decade ago, when they co-starred in Eli Roth’s thriller Knock Knock. At that time, she said she could barely speak English and struggled to adjust to Hollywood life.
A Deep Creative Bond With Keanu Reeves
Despite the language barrier, the two connected immediately.
“We bonded really well, and we have a beautiful friendship,” De Armas said. “He was incredibly kind and generous. He was one of the first people to make me feel welcome.”
Reuniting with Reeves for Ballerina, the John Wick spinoff released earlier this year, felt like completing a full-circle moment.
“Having him there supporting me ten years later meant a lot,” she said. “Keanu and Chad [Stahelski] have built such a beautiful world.”
Turning Into an Action Star—Unexpectedly
De Armas admitted that becoming an action lead was never part of her plan.
“I never thought of myself as athletic or imagined I’d do action movies,” she explained. “It started with No Time to Die, then The Gray Man, and Ghosted. Ballerina was another level.”
She described the physical preparation as “brutal,” involving months of intense daily training and on-set improvisation.
“It was exhausting — but I enjoyed it,” she said. “I learned so much.”
From Cuba to Spain to Hollywood
The actress also traced her early beginnings, recalling a joyful childhood in Cuba filled with neighborhood performances and dreams of acting. She landed her first film role while attending theater school in Havana and later moved to Spain at 18 with only €300 and three suitcases.
A breakout Spanish television role brought fame but ultimately led to frustration.
“I was playing the same kind of roles for years,” she said. “I felt I had to leave.”
She later moved to Los Angeles knowing zero English, slept on couches, and started again from scratch.
Blade Runner, Bond & Becoming Marilyn Monroe
Her Hollywood turning point arrived with Blade Runner 2049, which she called a dream experience. It led to her memorable role in No Time to Die, where her short appearance became a fan favorite.
Her performance as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde earned her an Academy Award nomination and transformed her approach to acting.
“It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “It changed the way I work forever.”
As she looks ahead, De Armas wants to challenge expectations rather than settle for comfortable roles.
“I’m not here to play it safe,” she concluded.
