Chris Pine Was Practically Dissociating At The 'Don't Worry Darling' Press Junket & Premiere (2024)

There’s no denying that the mere mention of Olivia Wilde’s upcoming film Don’t Worry Darling has the internet immediately erupting in discussion.

Whether it’s the ‘feud’ between Olivia and Miss Florence Pugh or the romance between the director and leading lad Harry Styles, there has been endless conversation around the movie. But now that it has made its debut at the 79th Venice Film Festival, even more chatter has amassed from watching the film’s cast awkwardly navigate the tensions on the red carpet.

Notably, Twitter has taken a particular interest in one of the film’s stars, Chris Pine, who played somewhat of a middleman between Olivia, Florence and Harry as they answered questions at press conferences, walked down the red carpet and even as they sat in the cinema for the premiere.

But why are all eyes on the Princess Diaries 2 alum? Well, because fans can’t stop seeing him presumably dissociate during just about every moment from the film’s press tour.

For context, the term ‘dissociation’ is “a mental process of disconnecting from one’s thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity”, as per Better Health. Linked to those who have experienced trauma in their lives, those who dissociate will likely feel as if their surroundings aren’t real or will feel extremely detached from their environment—almost as if they’re watching their own lives on television.

Is Chris legitimately dissociating? In these circ*mstances, probably not. In fact, he just appears to be zoning out, but the internet can’t stop spotting the Wonder Woman star disconnecting himself from the tense environment of Don’t Worry Darling. And to be honest, after all of the drama, we don’t blame him.

The most popular moment of Chris’ calm disconnection seems to be from one of the interviews that he and Harry took part in. When Harry is asked about his favourite part of Don’t Worry Darling, he gives an answer that has left fans scratching their heads, confused about what point he’s trying to get across. And it seems like Chris was too, as he sits beside Harry, staring absently into the void.

“I think, you know, my favourite thing about the movie is that it feels like a… movie,” Harry tells the interviewer as Chris makes no facial expression, other than staring at the ground.

“You know, it feels like a real like, go-to-the-theatre-film movie. You know, the reason why you would go to watch something on the big screen.”

But that wasn’t the only meme-worthy moment that Chris gave fans at the tense premiere. When each cast member was being welcomed into the cinema, Chris was sat next to Olivia, with an empty seat for Harry to his left. When Harry walks in, a clapping Chris seems to stop and lean back so Olivia and Harry can talk, but Harry only greets the crowd, and Chris bursts into laughter—before putting on his sunglasses as the lights dim for the movie to start.

“Whoever made this seating arrangement has planned a wedding with divorced parents,” Twitter user Trina Watters wrote.

“Chris pine putting on his sunglasses as the lights cut… oh that man is taking a nap,” another user, Traces Of Swift, joked.

As for whether their assumptions about the night were true, we’ll never know. However, some have explained that Chris has been vocal about his dislike for press junkets, which could explain why he doesn’t seem present beside Harry.

There’s one thing we know for sure, he definitely loves Florence. As she swanned down the red carpet in a show stopping Maison Valentino bodysuit and billowing gown, Chris was seen snapping photos of the leading lady with his disposable camera.

“I don’t know if there’s anyone better,” he told Josh Horowitz on Happy Sad Confused, referring to Florence. “To be so young and so in charge of her craft… She’s such a kind person and a giving actor. I love her to death.”

Naturally, the internet took his apparent discomfort being at the event and churned the meme machine to give the people what they want—a little giggle. Keen to join in on the laughter? Below, the best memes and Twitter reactions to Chris Pine at the Don’t Worry Darling premiere at the Venice Film Festival.