Jennifer Lawrence Reveals Ambien Incident on Hunger Games Set

Jennifer Lawrence recently opened up about a surprising incident while filming The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, revealing that she accidentally took Ambien instead of her usual medication. This mix-up led to a rather chaotic day on set, particularly for her co-star, Elizabeth Banks, who was less than pleased with the situation.

During a candid conversation with Leonardo DiCaprio for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, Lawrence recounted the experience, noting that she took the sleep aid mistakenly on the morning of shooting a dance scene with the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. The result was a disorienting experience where she found herself “hallucinating” while trying to perform.

Reflecting on the incident, Lawrence stated, “Elizabeth Banks got really annoyed with me. Maybe she didn’t know that I was on Ambien.” This moment serves as a glimpse into the often high-pressure environment of film production, where actors must balance their personal well-being with professional responsibilities.

Sleep Issues on Set

Lawrence’s challenges with sleep did not end with the Ambien incident. She shared a related story from the set of her film Red Sparrow, where she mistakenly took an Adderall thinking it was a sleeping pill. The mix-up left her unable to sleep, leading to a frantic evening of taking hot showers in an attempt to calm down. “I am not somebody who can function without sleep,” she admitted, illustrating the toll that such situations can take on an actor’s performance.

The pressures of filming have been a recurring theme in Lawrence’s career. Following her breakout role as Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games franchise, she has gone on to star in numerous high-profile projects including Joy, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Don’t Look Up. She will also reprise her role in the upcoming film The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, set to release in theaters on November 20, 2026.

Future Collaborations

During the conversation with DiCaprio, who has a long-standing collaboration with acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, the two actors discussed their upcoming project titled What Happens at Night. The film focuses on a married couple navigating unexpected challenges while trying to adopt a baby in Europe. DiCaprio’s experience working with Scorsese has proven invaluable, as he has starred in several of the director’s notable films, including The Departed and Killers of the Flower Moon.

As Lawrence prepares for this new venture, the shared emphasis on the importance of sleep suggests she will be taking precautions to ensure a smoother filming experience this time around. Both actors acknowledge the impact that adequate rest can have on their performances, particularly in a project with such high expectations.

The stories shared by Lawrence provide insight into the pressures of Hollywood and the sometimes humorous, yet challenging, realities of film production. As she continues her journey in the entertainment industry, her candidness about these experiences resonates with both fans and fellow actors alike.