Kari Wong has always been a storyteller, with an acting career that spans nearly two decades. It’s at the heart of her work, along with a desire to explore different characters and perspectives. Needless to say, she was drawn to the role of Paige in the much-buzzed-about comedy All That She Wants, which recently debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Eulalie Magazine had the privilege of chatting with Kari about her role in All That She Wants, working with stars Annie Murphy and Cooper Raiff, what’s on the horizon (she voices Valentina Furi in Unicorn Academy: Secrets Revealed), and more.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Kari Wong on All That She Wants
Eulalie Magazine: What’s your origin story? How did you get into acting?
Kari Wong: I have always loved performing—singing, dancing, etc. Even as a little kid, I would put on shows for my family. Looking back, I probably have my half-Filipino side to thank for that. When I was around six years old, my cousin was with Sutherland Models and encouraged my parents to get me an agent, too. I have been acting since then.
Eulalie Magazine: Let’s talk about All That She Wants. Can you tell me what it’s about and how you got involved with the film?
Kari Wong: It follows Emma, played by Annie Murphy, and Luke, played by Cooper Raiff. They end up meeting and sleeping together, only to find out after the fact that she used to babysit him when they were kids. The generational age gap is a big theme in this film, but also navigating life as a woman in her 30s, where it feels like the whole world is moving past you while you’re standing still.
I felt really connected to the project from the moment I first read the material. There was something about it that felt so fun and unique, and the chance to work with such an incredible group of artists made me even more excited to be part of it. I remember filming my audition and laughing so much because the scene was genuinely a lot of fun to play.
That feeling really stayed with me once we got to set. Everyone had such a natural, playful energy, which made it really easy to relax and enjoy the experience. I felt like I could be present, trust the moment, and not overthink things. You could really feel that everyone involved was excited to be there, and I think that energy made the whole experience pretty special.
Eulalie Magazine: Describe the movie using three words.
Kari Wong: All. She. Wants.
Close Collaboration
Eulalie Magazine: What was it like working closely with Annie Murphy and Cooper Raiff? Was the on-set experience collaborative?
Kari Wong: I only got to work with Annie, Cooper, and Zosia [Mamet], but I really hope I get the chance to work with the rest of the cast in the future. They’re all so incredibly talented, but what struck me just as much was how wonderful they are as people. They’re funny, generous, and bring a great energy with them to set.
Annie and Cooper have such an effortless chemistry. I think so much of that comes from the trust and respect they have for each other, and you could really feel that when you were around them. There was this sense that everyone could feel supported and just be themselves, which made it a fun environment to work in. It created a space where you could really focus on the work while also enjoying it.
One of the things I really appreciated about working with Andrew [Rhymer] and Scarlett [Bermingham], our directors, was how open and collaborative they were. They created an environment where you felt encouraged to take risks and really explore your character without worrying about whether you were getting something “wrong.”
They trusted the actors and wanted to hear our ideas, which made the process feel very collaborative rather than like there was one right way to approach a scene. I think that kind of openness breaks down the usual barrier between an actor and a director. Everyone feels like they’re working toward the same thing. It gave us the freedom to try things, be playful, and hopefully discover something we wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Eulalie Magazine: What was it like bringing All That She Wants to your hometown for TIFF?
Kari Wong: It’s honestly pretty surreal to have the film premiere in Toronto. I grew up just outside the city, so Toronto always felt like this really exciting place. I have so many memories of coming into the city with my family, whether it was getting dressed up for dinner and a show, going to the movies, or just walking around and seeing all the places that felt so iconic to me as a kid.
So, coming back now as an actor and having a film that I’m part of premiere at TIFF is really special. I don’t think I ever would have imagined that when I was younger. It feels really meaningful to have my own connection to Toronto and to experience the city in this completely different way.
On the Horizon
Eulalie Magazine: What else is on the horizon for you, career-wise?
Kari Wong: The new season of Unicorn Academy: Secrets Revealed comes out on Netflix on Oct. 8!
Eulalie Magazine: Lastly, name your top five comfort movies.
Kari Wong:
1. Just Go with It or 50 First Dates
2. The Big Short
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
4. Little Women (Greta Gerwig, 2019)
5. The Notebook
As of writing, All That She Wants doesn’t have a wider theatrical distribution date, but you can follow the movie’s official Instagram account for updates. You can also follow Kari (@kxriwong) to keep up to date on her next projects.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine, she’s the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she’s a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.