Ezra Miller, the acclaimed actor, has begun a cautious re-entry into Hollywood after a period of intense scrutiny and legal issues that surfaced in 2022. After a two-year hiatus from public appearances, Miller attended the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival in Cagliari on June 19, marking their first red carpet appearance since the controversies erupted. During an interview with a local news outlet, Miller described their return to the film industry as being "on tentative grounds."

The actor's recent public appearances have been strategically chosen, including a brief and somewhat unusual visit to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May. Miller explained that their presence at Cannes was primarily to support their close friend and renowned director, Lynne Ramsey, who directed them in the 2011 thriller-mystery film We Need to Talk About Kevin. At Cannes, Miller was noted for strangely sprinting past the media line, seemingly to avoid questions regarding their past troubles. They expressed a deep commitment to Ramsey, stating they would "do anything" for her, even if it meant navigating what they termed a "tough re-entry point" into the industry, especially after spending three years largely out of the public eye. Miller humorously noted the intensity of Cannes, describing it as a place where "every photographer and every weirdo, every rich genocidal freak be there."

Miller's past controversies, which led to their temporary withdrawal from Hollywood, were extensive and varied. These included allegations of grooming a 12-year-old, assaulting a woman in Iceland, being arrested at a karaoke bar, and facing restraining orders from hostel hosts in Hawaii. A Massachusetts family also sought a prevention of harassment order after Miller allegedly brandished a firearm. Furthermore, they were caught stealing alcohol and were accused of keeping a young mother and minor children in unsafe conditions at their Vermont farm. Miller attributed these incidents to "complex mental health issues" and issued an apology, subsequently disappearing from the public sphere for approximately three years, reportedly living in solitude.

Despite the severity of these past events, Miller is looking towards the future, hinting at a potential new project with Lynne Ramsey that "will likely be the first thing" they star in upon their full return. Reflecting on their experiences, Miller adopted a philosophical tone, discussing the "crucibles" one faces in life. They stated, "When we go through those crucibles, if we can survive, which was up in the air for me if I’m being real, we then have that capacity to see other people in their crucibles and just to reach towards them." This introspection extended to their views on Hollywood, with Miller expressing gratitude for those who supported them, while also acknowledging that "a lot of people" in the industry "do not give a single f--- about you, or your well-being, at all." They concluded by expressing remorse for their past actions but also gratitude for the lessons learned from what they called that "abyss."