Mary Mouser on Cobra Kai, Y2K Trends, and Her Dr. Marten Obsession
Mary Mouser is beginning 2022 off with a bang. Her present Cobra Kai, which premiered its fourth season on New Yr’s Eve, is primary within the U.S. on Netflix—once more! Not that critics and followers noticed it going every other means. The decades-later sequel to the Karate Child movies has been a smash hit for the streamer because it bought the rights to the collection from YouTube Crimson in 2020 and launched season three underneath its banner final 12 months. That includes authentic Karate Child forged members Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, Cobra Kai is a real delight, delivering loads of nostalgia coupled with intelligent and heartwarming story traces that deliver it completely into the present day. On the threat of sounding cliché, it has one thing for everybody.
Two weeks earlier than the present’s large premiere, I caught up with Mouser, who performs Macchio’s on-screen daughter Samantha LaRusso, to get her tackle the buzzy new season. Although already nicely into manufacturing on season 5, she was excited to replicate on the present’s fourth chapter. What will not be solely a high-stakes season for Sam, who should struggle for the way forward for the Cobra Kai dojo within the All Valley Event (if you understand, you understand), can be one among immense private progress for the actress off digital camera. It’s no surprise it’s Mouser’s favourite.
Forward, we discuss in regards to the constructive influence of rising up alongside her Cobra Kai character, embracing her internal Goth, and by no means leaving dwelling with out her Dr. Martens.
The Karate Child films have been an enormous hit within the ’80s. Why do you suppose this story has been in a position to span so many a long time and nonetheless resonate with audiences as we speak?
For me, the best side of this present is that it may be so loopy and bigger than life, nevertheless it’s additionally tied to this very grounded and heartfelt and traditional story of the underdog that everybody has associated to in numerous factors of their life. It’s additionally enjoyable as a result of it brings in so many alternative audiences to the present and to the movies. We’ve gotten to listen to of people that discovered the present with their mother and father and have gone again and watched the films, after which now we have people who find themselves like, “Oh, I grew up with The Karate Child movies, and I’m attending to share this with my children now.” We even have all of the gaps in between … of viewers members who’re discovering each on the identical time. It’s actually cool that now we have this built-in viewers that has such a respect and fervour for the story traces and for the characters and the place all of it started. I, for one, am an enormous fan of fan fiction, so I believe that is the final word fan fiction for thus many individuals who beloved the movies.
What are a number of the core themes of Cobra Kai that basically stand out to you?
My favourite general theme that has spanned all the seasons of the present and has been, for me, a part of the principle coronary heart of it’s the thought you can relate to the present from no matter level of life you might be at as a result of there are such a lot of totally different characters and story traces. I believe it has such an open coronary heart in that means and these large, wide-open arms to welcome all people in. That’s one thing I really like about it. I really like, on the identical time, that loads of the individuals you might be rooting for are thought-about the dangerous man or the great man and realizing that no one is the dangerous man or good man. Everyone has a bit little bit of all of it in them.
Season 4 of Cobra Kai not too long ago dropped on Netflix. What can followers count on with this chapter?
Season 4 is my favourite season that we’ve gotten to do up to now. I don’t know clarify it. It’s the proper mixture of what this present does finest, which is nostalgia and placing a brand new twist on it. I really feel like there’s a lot content material that’s heartfelt, that’s gut-wrenching, and you might be nervous about these individuals, however on the identical time, you might be having fun and having a blast watching all of it go down. That is the peak of all that. The stakes are so excessive it’s at its peak. But in addition, so is the magic that’s Cobra Kai and the ’80s bangers. Simply the general vibes of badassery are at its peak.
Let’s discuss what’s arising on your character Samantha this season. There’s a lot driving on her successful the All Valley Event.
I believe Sam, similar to all people else, has the load of the world on her shoulders at this second. Proper the place we go away them off on the finish of season three, there’s that second within the final minute we see them the place they’re all filled with hope and like, “Possibly we will staff up and make this work.” However there’s a second proper earlier than that that units up this entire factor, and it’s that second of standing there. They’re all bloody and tousled, and [Samantha is] watching her ex-boyfriend within the absolute worst Gi he could possibly be carrying in her thoughts, simply heart-wrenching for her. And the scenario of the three senseis and people three college students and the stakes of that, I believe, simply units up such a spot of, like I mentioned, the load of the world on their shoulders. She feels she has so much to show for the sake of what’s at stake but additionally to herself. She’s gone via loads of phases of doubt and confusion, her separation from karate and coming again to it, and I believe it is going to be actually cool to see how she takes that on and the way succesful she is at dealing with that.
I learn in a earlier interview that you simply get to know Samantha extra with every season. What did you study her going into season 4?
I believe season 4 as Samantha—and, actually, as myself—was all about pushing myself to absolutely the restrict and discovering out the place these boundaries actually are. It taught me a lot about myself, which sounds possibly a bit cliché or one thing, however I walked away from final season being like, “Wow, that’s greater than I believe I’ve ever taken on at one level in my life.” It was so cathartic but additionally draining. So I really feel like, in one of the best ways potential, it was about pushing myself, and I believe Samantha is fairly rattling succesful by these accounts. She will be able to maintain her personal at the least.
What do you’re keen on about coming again to a personality like Sam season after season?
It’s been enjoyable to develop along with her. I believed I used to be taking a look at her from a really lengthy lens in season one, the place there have been features of Samantha that I associated to, however loads of it was like, “Oh yeah, I keep in mind that second in my life, or I may image how which may occur.” However then as time handed, now we have gone via loads of these phases of our life collectively, and I’m now like, “Oh, that is proper the place I’m at.” There are seasons the place I’m combating again very real emotion—like, “Oh, I handled this actually final week. How do I deal with this? I’m not even able to course of this.” Nevertheless it’s been so nice and cathartic in that means.
The opposite factor is that our writers are unbelievable, they usually have completed such an exquisite job of regularly creating and creating and pushing her ahead, similar to all the different characters and all the brand new relationships. The opposite enjoyable side of this present is… I really feel like each season you set all of the characters in a blender, and all people is interacting with somebody they haven’t interacted with earlier than. I’m continually getting to construct relationships with totally different individuals.
How does the rivalry between Sam and Tory, performed by Peyton Checklist, evolve this season?
I believe general Samantha’s relationship with Tory is… Particularly in season three, we noticed the start of this, nevertheless it’s develop into much less about a person and extra about what she represents for Samantha. By the tip of season two and actually all through [Samantha’s] battle in season three, Tory has type of develop into the boogeyman for Samantha, and she or he’s consultant of all these totally different components that really feel uncontrolled in her life. There’s a lot to play with there that no matter interplay they find yourself in, it’s by no means precisely what I count on it to be, which is enjoyable as a result of as an viewers member that’s the type of stuff I really like. But in addition, Peyton is so unbelievable to work with. We’ve an absolute blast chewing one another out after which turning round and high-fiving one another. I’m very curious to see what individuals say about Samantha and Tory after season 4.
Talking of, what do you get pleasure from most about enjoying out this rivalry with Peyton on-screen?
She’s so proficient, and now we have each gotten to develop these characters on the identical time. I set to work in season one as Samantha and attending to know the character, nevertheless it was a really totally different story line. I believe each of our characters began into the world of the karate of Cobra Kai. Samantha had coaching as a child, however that was strictly Miyagi-Do. There was no large, dangerous dojo within the valley. It was for studying morals and studying stability and connecting along with her father and Mr. Miyagi, and that was karate. Sam and Tory are nearly on parallel however weirdly diverging paths. So I’ve a lot enjoyable with Peyton attending to mess around with that. We get pleasure from messing round with one another in between takes. But in addition, it’s good to know that your scene associate has your again and that we will yell and scream, and as quickly as they are saying minimize, we’re like, “Oh my God, you bought me so emotional on that one!” She is such an amazing scene associate, and I actually adore it. I believe now we have a lot pushing the boundaries of that rivalry.
You’ve been engaged on this present for over 4 years now. What has been essentially the most rewarding a part of engaged on Cobra Kai?
It’s impacted my life in so many constructive methods past what I may have ever anticipated. I really like my job, however with this [show] specifically, I’ve gotten to alter so much as an individual and study what I’m able to. I believe that’s actually what it comes right down to. It was so enjoyable seeing final season come to fruition as a result of I actually received to see what I personally am able to tackling, and as a lot as that is technically my job, it’s additionally so many different components of my life. It’s additionally my diary. It’s a scrapbook. It’s all these totally different items of watching my life unfold. And the individuals I get to work with are so unbelievable, and I genuinely imply that. Having this many wonderful individuals in a single forged simply blows my thoughts. I’m studying life classes, and I’m actually pushing to alter myself in constructive methods. Profession-wise, I’m studying from such proficient actors. After which clearly, the guts of it, for me, is the martial arts side. That is one thing I by no means thought I’d be remotely able to, however now, I can take into account myself an precise martial artist. The truth that I truly spend hours and months and years of my life coaching that is simply loopy to me. I’m so grateful.
You’ve been working with stylist Laura Sophie Cox, and taking a look at her portfolio, she is somebody who clearly likes to play with colour and prints. What do you get pleasure from about working along with her, and the way has she influenced your private type decisions?
What’s humorous is I’m at all times in head-to-toe black. That’s my uniform. However that’s principally as a result of I’ve by no means identified gown myself. I’ve beloved working with Laura as a result of she’s influenced my private type in my off time. It’s actually enjoyable. I’ve began to study what I really like, and I’ve realized—particularly now—my type is masculine influenced with a harder, edgier vibe. I at all times thought that meant I needed to go darkish to convey that, and she or he’s discovered this actually enjoyable means of enjoying with colour and prints however having that edgier, wilder vitality delivered to the floor. It’s actually enjoyable. I really feel like I’m a novice, and she or he’s educating me.
Is there an merchandise you might be notably obsessive about proper now?
My factor proper now’s layering. Since enjoying with tougher edges by way of carrying fits and issues like that, I’m actually having fun with a extra masculine type of layering and that type of factor. So I’m doing turtlenecks with T-shirts over them or doing a tank prime over a T-shirt over an extended sleeve. It’s a bit bit early 2000s, however I’m feeling the extra Goth facet of me is influencing my pre-teen layering part. I’m additionally tremendous into jewellery. I actually love rings, and I’ve seven ear piercings.
I must also say that you’ll by no means not catch me in my Doc Martens. That’s my primary type piece that I construct each outfit round. I hearken to metallic music and emo music, in order that’s the place I really feel like loads of my type influences come from. It’s enjoyable to now get to play with components of that and softening it up with the girlier prints and stuff like that.
To wrap issues up, what are you most trying ahead to in 2022?
I’m not making an attempt to go darkish, however this has been my general problem for myself for 2021, and it is going to be for 2022 as nicely: I’m making an attempt to embrace, get used to, and love grey areas in life. I really feel most comfy in strictly black-and-white environments, and it’s at all times been a factor. I simply need a straight reply. Simply give me a sure or no on it. So I’m making an attempt to exist within the maybes and actually embrace it. Apart from that, I’ve at all times been a notoriously choosy eater, so I’m making an attempt to problem myself, and my large aim is to only attempt stuff that I’d have by no means eaten earlier than.
Cobra Kai is now streaming on Netflix.
Photographer: David Katzinger
Stylist: Laura Sophie Cox with A-Body Company
Style Assistant: Brit Jardin
Hairstylist: Kat Thompson
Make-up Artist: Courtney Hart
