[This story contains major spoilers from The White Lotus season three finale, “Amor Fati.” ]
In the conclusion of the third season of The White Lotus>, Lochlan Ratliff notably survived a seemingly lethal dose of a poisoned piña colada. However, Sam Nivola, the actor portraying him, believes that this brush with death did not lead to life-altering realizations for his character. “Sadly, I think the only takeaway for Lochlan is yet another traumatic experience,” Nivola remarked.
During the finale, which premiered on HBO on Sunday, viewers witnessed the Ratliff siblings undergo their respective paths of self-discovery. For instance, Saxon began to explore his spiritual side, hinting at personal growth, and Piper showed a penchant for luxury, insisting on high thread counts and organic foods. Nivola commented, “While Saxon evolves to appreciate women more, I believe Lochlan remains as lost as before.”
Two days post-finale, Nivola shared insights with The Hollywood Reporter> regarding Lochlan’s lack of emotional growth, the challenges he faced filming a critical underwater scene, and the confidentiality he maintained about the plot—albeit with some exceptions.
Do you believe Lochlan truly meant it when he told Timothy he could live without their wealth? Will he ultimately fare better than his siblings in light of their losses?
I genuinely think he meant it. However, it’s not the core of his struggle. Lochlan’s problems are deeply personal, while the rest of the family grapples with external issues as well. Wealth is merely a material concern; for Lochlan, what’s crucial is the turmoil within. He is undergoing a significant identity crisis.
Initially, I didn’t ask, as it seemed obvious to me. I’ve been surprised by how many inquiries I’ve received in the last 24 hours regarding this detail; I didn’t anticipate it would generate so much interest. It reminded me of my own experiences—when I make smoothies frequently, leftover residue is just part of it.
There’s been speculation surrounding the timeline of the filming and the boats leaving the resort, particularly since none of the departing guests appeared to panic over the violence. Were the Ratliffs aware of what occurred?
There’s undoubtedly a level of narcissism at play, which is somewhat humorous considering the show’s tone. The characters, appealing as they may be over the nine episodes, represent a segment of affluent individuals who are primarily self-absorbed. Ultimately, this question leans heavily on Mike’s expertise, but my impression is that their indifference stems from a lack of concern for anything beyond their own immediate issues. When we filmed, we justified the situation by imagining that the chaos unfolded simultaneously with the boat loading, with hotel staff vigorously attempting to keep the incident under wraps to retain their clientele—after all, for The White Lotus>, capitalism reigns supreme.
Can you share any memorable experiences from filming the near-death scene?
We shot two variations of the underwater sequence: one where I swam to the surface and the other where I emerged from a body bag only to drown. While the latter presented a visually striking concept, the concern was whether it would cause confusion for the audience—did he die and then get disposed of in the ocean? The entire experience felt surreal, unzipping myself from a body bag underwater was quite bizarre.
Do you struggle with claustrophobia?
Absolutely. I have a strong aversion to boats and confined spaces. One memorable shoot was the full moon party, held amidst tens of thousands of people on a separate island. Access was limited to boat rides, and once there, you had to wait for the return trip. As someone with claustrophobic tendencies, that can be incredibly anxiety-inducing. Nevertheless, I view it as a form of exposure therapy—it has made me feel stronger.
Did you share plot details with anyone close to you prior to the premiere?
I certainly did, perhaps more than I should have. I confided in my closest friends and family, feeling compelled to prepare my parents and my 15-year-old sister for what was to come by episode six. Otherwise, I feared they might view me differently. My girlfriend, Iris Apatow, was alongside me during much of the shooting. Mike is quite trusting with the cast, and since he knows my girlfriend’s father, Judd Apatow, there was a level of confidence in the situation. We functioned like a family, allowing partners to be as informed about the story as they desired. However, I recall Abby, Patrick Schwarzenegger’s fiancée, preferring to remain in the dark.
Is it feasible to keep certain storylines hidden from those present on set?
We actually played a prank on Abby, leading her to believe it was me and Patrick who met their demise. On a boat ride with Mike and Patrick, she claimed, “By the way, Mike, I know the brothers die.” Mike briefly looked confused but quickly caught on to the ruse, playing along and suggesting it was indeed tragic. When Abby attended the finale screening, her reaction was priceless—she was completely taken aback.
As the production unfolded, did you sense how the audience would react to the show?
It’s always uncertain whether a project will resonate with audiences. My fellow cast members and I often discussed this in Thailand. In the industry, actors frequently hear from their agents that each job could be the breakthrough, yet many don’t live up to that promise. It’s not an attempt to mislead; I appreciate my agent’s support. The unpredictable nature of film and television means that even projects with esteemed casts and top-notch direction can fail to connect. Although the first two seasons of The White Lotus> were monumental successes, one notable absence in our season was Jennifer Coolidge, whose presence contributed significantly to earlier acclaim. Nevertheless, my experience filming was transformative, and I’m proud of the final product—ultimately, this is what creators strive for.
While I’m not particularly active on social media—primarily using it to share work—I do receive updates from my grandmother, who diligently sends every article about me. It’s sweet, yet humorous, as I often already know what the coverage entails!
In what tangible ways has this experience been life-changing for you?
This journey helped me forge incredible friendships with my fellow cast members. The bond we created around this unique experience is unmatched. Additionally, it bolstered my confidence; it’s the first time someone outside my immediate family has praised my performance. As a 21-year-old with limited experience, overcoming feelings of imposter syndrome has been crucial. I used to think that my opportunity didn’t align with my skills since I hadn’t completed formal acting training. But receiving positive feedback has reinforced my belief that I do belong in this world and that my work is being appreciated.