Arabella Olivia Clark is proud to scare you.
The 10-year-old actress joined Variety over Zoom from her Los Angeles hotel room the morning after the premiere of “Other Mommy, wearing a jacket with her character’s name, Bela, printed on the front. Clark plays the daughter of Ursula (Jessica Chastain) and Russ (Jay Duplass), a young girl terrorized by a sinister figure who looks just like her mother, known as the titular Other Mommy.
“I love spiders. I love snakes. I like all the creepy stuff,” she replies when asked what scares her the most. “I love the dark, so I don’t really know what I would be afraid of.”
“Maybe Rocky and E.T. could be friends, because they’re both aliens, right?” Clark ponders.
OTHER MOMMY, Arabella Olivia Clark, 2026. ph: Bernard Walsh /© Universal Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
Well, Rob Savage was always making sure I felt safe on set, and Jessica and Jay were always showing me different things and telling me different stories and making funny faces.
Working with Jessica Chastain was a great experience. I spent time with her and her kids, and she’s a great mom. We were always going to the park and hiking and all that stuff. One time — well, a bunch of times — I was in her trailer, and she was also studying for Harvard. And I can’t believe it! She’s a mom, and also studying for Harvard and also filming a movie at the same time. I learned a lot from her.
What was one of your favorite memories that you have from being on set for “Other Mommy”?
One of my favorite memories is when Jessica did her witch cackle. She’s like, “OK everybody, it’s going to be loud.” And she did it, and I was so surprised. She could be a witch in a movie.
That part scared me! How did it not freak you out?
Well, once the camera’s rolling, it’s one thing. But when it’s not rolling, they’re all telling funny jokes or telling funny stories or showing me different pictures. Or taking pictures with me.
I really do. Paul Feig was amazing. I played a young role of Amanda Seyfried, and I’m always gonna look up to her.
What is your favorite movie that Amanda’s done? I think my favorite is probably “Mamma Mia.”
That’s my favorite! And “Mean Girls.”
There’s a part in the movie where you play Other Bela, an evil version of your character. Which version was more fun to play?
Other Bela!
Okay! I also want to do sci-fi. Like sharks and stuff. I like experiencing the stuff that’s not actually real. I want to go to space and then have aliens and octopuses and sharks in the movie. Like a whole sci-fi movie combined!
What’s your favorite sci-fi movie?
You’re only 10, and I still get scared at 23. You’re braver than I am!
Thank you! I love doing all the stunts. I got to do different flips and spins, and I love doing acrobatics. And I love the water scenes too, because I got to swim a lot, and that’s one of my hobbies. Swimming and sailing.
How did you film that scene in the water?
Arabella: It was a big, big pool. It was massive. It was a big tank that was, like, 20 feet down?
Arabella: It was fun. I love swimming, and I love being in deep pools. I can dive down all the way to 10 feet!
Do you know who Mckenna Grace is?Yes!
Well, you remind me so much of her. I was just talking about how I think you’re going to have the same career as her!
Rachel: Do you want to know something? Mckenna Grace is so sweet. She reached out to Arabella and offered to mentor her and be there for her to talk about things like growing up in the industry.
Arabella: We only talked online. But I’m hoping to meet her in person!
