Natalie Morales may have accidentally become the “chip bag lady” of TikTok, but her latest film, Self Reliance, is where she really shines. The Jake Johnson-directed dark comedy finds Morales playing the ex-girlfriend to Johnson’s character, whose paranoia over a deadly dark-web game frames the entire film. “I shot for one day, and yet they talk about me so much that it feels like I’m in the movie more than I am,” Morales jokes.
Before directing acclaimed films like Plan B and Language Lessons, Morales got her start in music videos. “I did a ton of free ones for my friends, but the one that got the most attention was for Andrew Bird,” she recalls. Her love of music as a storytelling tool runs deep. “I was obsessed with music videos as a kid. I’d always imagine what the visuals should be, which is why music is such a huge part of how I work.”
For Plan B, Morales meticulously crafted the soundtrack, down to securing Girls Just Want to Have Fun for a crucial pharmacy scene. “It was actually playing in the store when we scouted, and I knew it had to stay,” she says. Language Lessons took a more minimal approach, with a stripped-down score by Gaby Moreno. But whether it’s a feature film or a late-night comedy show, Morales insists, “Music is my secret weapon in storytelling.”
Despite only appearing briefly in Self Reliance, Morales makes a lasting impact. “In a role like this, you have to figure out how to be memorable without stealing the show. It helps when the script keeps bringing you up,” she laughs. Jake Johnson’s film leans into an unexpected Latin-tinged soundtrack, something Morales admires. “Sometimes you don’t have the budget for Dirty Dancing–level needle drops, but you can still create a mood with what you have.”
Next up, Morales stars in My Dead Friend Zoe, premiering at SXSW. “Yes, I’m Zoe—the dead friend,” she confirms. The film, which explores PTSD in veterans, was a passion project for all involved, including executive producer Travis Kelce. “He came in at the end to help push it over the finish line, which was amazing.”
Morales also hosts The Night Crew, a variety show in LA that combines music, comedy, and unhinged interviews. “It’s like Jiminy Glick—but hot,” she jokes. While fans have called for her to host a late-night show, she’s hesitant. “I don’t want some network exec telling me what I can’t say. I want to say all the things.”
But if you don’t catch her at Night Crew, you might see her on the upcoming Pearl Jam tour. “I need to see them again. If I’d known we’d be talking about Yield today, I would’ve prepared my setlist requests.”
