Julia Garner Opens Up About Her Final ‘Ozark’ Scene: ‘I Felt Like I Was Dying’
Ozark Season 4 Part 2 brought the popular Netflix series to a close, leaving actors like Julia Garner to bid farewell to the characters they spent years embodying. Naturally, some of those goodbyes proved more painful than others. According to Garner, parting ways with Ruth Langmore left her feeling like she “was dying.”
[Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Ozark Season 4 Part 2.]
Ruth Langmore meets a tragic end in ‘Ozark’ Season 4 Part 2
Bidding farewell to a character you’ve played for years is never easy, but Julia Garner faced a tragic end as Ruth Langmore. Ruth spends most of Ozark Season 4 Part 2 seeking vengeance for her cousin Wyatt’s (Charlie Tahan) murder. And after she kills Javi (Alfonso Herrera), it’s only a matter of time before death finds her. Unlike the Byrdes, Ruth doesn’t make it out of the final season alive.
Instead, Garner’s character meets her end at the hands of Camila Elizonndro (Verónica Falcón). It’s a fitting conclusion, even if it left viewers disappointed. And although Garner saw it coming, she admitted that letting go of Ruth wasn’t easy.
“It almost feels like a part of me has died in a way,” she told Time. “Ruth gave me so much, not only as an actor but also as a person.”
Garner also spoke with Time about filming her last scene. It proved an emotional experience for her, even if it felt like the right way to go out.
Julia Garner opens up about filming her last ‘Ozark’ scene
Ruth’s death sparked a lot of controversy in the wake of Ozark Season 4 Part 2, but Julia Garner believes her character was ready for it. Of course, that didn’t make filming her final scene any easier. Garner described her experience acting out Ruth’s death during her interview with Time. According to her, she felt much like her character in that moment:
“It felt like I was dying. My death was also the last scene of Ozark. I think the last shot we did was me on the ground. I really do think Ruth died when Wyatt died. I think her body was just here. She wasn’t going to voluntarily quit life, but I think she was so dead inside that if given an opportunity to die, she wouldn’t say no. In the end, it’s not her going over to death, it’s death coming over to her.”
Her interpretation of Ruth’s death makes sense, even if many wanted a happy ending for the character. And if Garner felt Ruth was a part of her, it’s understandable that she’d feel like she was dying alongside her.
Still, the end of Ruth’s story opens up new possibilities for the actor. What’s next for her now that Ozark has ended?
What’s next for Julia Garner?
With Ozark coming to an end and Inventing Anna making its debut, Julia Garner had a huge year. So, what’s next for the actor now that she’s closed the door on Ruth Langmore? According to IMDb, she’s been cast in two films.
The first, Apartment 7A, will see her starring opposite of Dianne West. Paramount Pictures is keeping the thriller movie’s plot under wraps. However, its leads promise to draw fans in.
Garner also landed a role in The Royal Hotel, a film currently in pre-production. Another thriller, this one sees Garner starring alongside Hugo Weaving and Jessica Henwick. Set at a hotel, the movie promises to challenge its leads’ perceptions of reality. And its cast will no doubt deliver captivating performances.
Sadly, fans may have a wait ahead of them before seeing Garner on-screen again. In the meantime, they can enjoy her Emmy-worthy performance as Ruth Langmore.
Ozark Season 4 Part 2 is currently streaming on Netflix.
