Eiza González isn’t quite sure where she lives at the moment.
“I’m a bit of a nomad,” she said in a video call from California, where she has a house in Los Angeles and a ranch in Ojai. “I’m here, there, everywhere.”
That included Cairo, Bangkok, Vienna and various parts of Britain for the film “Fountain of Youth,” about an art thief and his entourage who go on a global quest for the source of the mythological waters.
González plays Esme, a “protector,” though of what and whom isn’t always crystal clear. She describes the character as “Machiavellian fun, a huge enigma and kind of a poker face, but a sassy and witty girl.” The movie will stream on Apple TV+ starting May 23.
It was her third project with the director Guy Ritchie — “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” landed in 2024 and “In the Grey” will come out this summer — and her first time in an action movie at an Indiana Jones-like level.
“I think he really enjoys someone that is willing to take risks and play and push themselves, and he saw a lot of desire in me,” González said of Ritchie before explaining why psychology books, the Criterion Channel and LED light therapy are on her list of must-haves. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
Psychology Books
I’m currently reading “Rewire” by Nicole Vignola. I’ve also been reading “Please Unsubscribe, Thanks!” by Julio Vincent Gambuto. Anything that is a deep dive into psyche and understanding the human behavior. I would’ve most definitely become a psychologist if I wasn’t an actress.
Skin Care
Back in the day it was more about buying the right products. Now I’m on the plane, and I’m lying in a Celluma, which is a long, flat medical-grade LED. Many girls are obsessed with makeup. For me, it’s how can I make my skin even better? I’m obsessed with health. I’ve made it my religion.
Hawaii
It’s just a magical land. It’s ground zero for me in the sense that it recalibrates me. I feel so free and I feel so unplugged. And it has many memories for me that are deeply meaningful.
The New York Times Game App
I can’t live without it. English is my second language, and I’ve expanded my English thanks to Spelling Bee or Wordle or Crossword. It really has helped me with my knowledge of languages — and knowledge in general.
The Criterion Channel
I grew up in Mexico City, where the access to films was what was on the TV. In the middle of Covid, I discovered that the Criterion Channel had a platform, and I indulged in it intensely. I’ve learned so much about foreign filmmakers, foreign films, foreign styles of directing, foreign everything.
Sports, All of Them
I am obsessed with sports. I am obsessed with sports for myself. I am obsessed with watching sports. Anything, anything, anything. I admire the athlete mentality, the dedication to the sport. I think it has a lot of parallels to actors and the level of commitment for what we do.
The Legend of Zelda
At first glance you’d be like, “Oh, it’s a simple game.” But it’s so much more deep than anyone could imagine because it’s about thinking outside the box and resolving things in a nontraditional way. I think that really stimulated me as a child and allowed me to have a dreamlike mentality my entire life.
Animals
I was a very strange child. I had a hamster, a duck, two dogs, a chicken, a ferret, and my dad had a squirrel, all in my house. My mom owned horses. I only follow three accounts on TikTok, and one of them is this girl that owns a farm. She has a bajillion random animals. And I’m like, “You are living my life.”
Interior Design
One peek into my Pinterest board and you would think I’m an interior designer on the side. I really enjoy nesting and building a home and finding unique pieces. I’m just obsessed with textures and structure and fabric and colors. I don’t know if I’m one of those people that see things in colors, but it really is an integral part of who I am.
Traveling
I live in luggage. I’ve been on the go since I was 12. I started as a child actor and then I was a singer, so I feel the most myself when I’m traveling. I haven’t lived in one place for the longest time. And once I do, I feel like there’s something missing inside of me. My biggest reason for why I work and make money is to be able to travel the world and discover more.
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