Actress Rosa Salazar recently joined Collider’s Perri Nemiroff for a Collider Ladies Night interview, offering a comprehensive look back at her diverse career and sharing insights into her latest project, Prime Video’s Play Dirty. Salazar, celebrated for her undeniable screen presence and a filmography rich with ambitious projects, reflected on her journey through productions like American Horror Story, The Maze Runner, and Alita: Battle Angel, alongside her approach to demanding stunt work and a crucial lesson imparted by Mark Wahlberg.

Salazar's career began with roles in American Horror Story and Parenthood, quickly progressing to significant supporting parts in the popular young adult franchises, The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and Insurgent. These experiences paved the way for her to headline her own studio action film, Alita: Battle Angel. Her versatility was further showcased in unforgettable streaming series such as the Prime Video animated series Undone and Netflix’s Brand New Cherry Flavor. This extensive range, encompassing various genres and character types, proved invaluable for her role in Play Dirty.

Play Dirty, an action comedy directed by Shane Black, is an adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s “Parker” book series. Mark Wahlberg stars as Parker, a skilled thief who assembles a team for an audacious heist. Salazar plays Zen, a critical yet mysterious member of the crew. For Salazar, accepting the role was a straightforward decision, driven by two primary factors: the opportunity to work with Shane Black, and her conviction that “Everything I've done in my career led me to this.” She views the project as a “total graduation” from her early work, synthesizing all the “tricks” she’s acquired, including gunplay, witty dialogue, athleticism, and the portrayal of serious characters, affirming Zen as the most serious character in the ensemble.

Salazar drew parallels between her character Zen and her own personal skill in playing poker. While Salazar herself is described as loud, boisterous, and energetic, Zen embodies a