Aubrey Plaza describes grief over husband Jeff Baena’s death, likens it to an ‘ocean of awfulness’

Aubrey Plaza has compared her sadness at the death of her spouse, Jeff Baena, as a vast ocean of terrible things.

In her most in-depth public statements to date, the actor told her former Parks and Recreation co-star on the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler that she has been fighting every day to get over her loss. Author-directorBaena’s death at age 47 in January was determined to be a suicide.

At the beginning of their conversation, Plaza responds to Poehler’s question about her coping mechanisms by saying, “Overall, I’m here and I’m functioning.” Being able to travel the world makes me feel incredibly thankful. I believe I’m doing fine. But, of course, it’s like a daily battle.

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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Suicide is discussed in this narrative. The U.S. national suicide and crisis lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 if you or someone you know needs assistance. Additionally, there is an online chat at 988lifeline.org.

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She compares her sorrow to a scene from a horror film on Apple TV+ that features Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller.

Have you seen the film The Gorge? Plaza queries Poehler. In the film, there is a gorge between two cliffs, one on one side and another on the other, and it is teeming with monsters attempting to capture them, Plaza claims. When I watched that, I swear, I thought, “That feels like what my grief is like, or what grief could be like at all times, where there’s a giant ocean of awfulness that’s right there and I can see it.”

Plaza continues, “And sometimes I just want to look at it, and other times I just want to dive in and be in it.” I then occasionally attempt to avoid it. However, it’s always there, and monsters like Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller are attempting to capture me.

Plaza often worked with Baena, who was a writer and director. In addition to writing and directing five of his own films, he co-wrote David O. Russell’s 2004 feature I Heart Huckabees. Plaza appeared in the zombie comedy Life After Beth, which was his first film as a director in 2014.

Plaza is currently promoting her latest movie, Honey Don’t!, after mostly being quiet after Baena’s passing. In Ethan Coen’s dark comedy, Margaret Qualley plays a private investigator investigating suspicious activity in Bakersfield, California.