Kaelen Ohm reveals her journey from extreme skiing to acting in 'The Betrayers' amidst notable roles at the Toronto Film Festival.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published on September 13, 2026, Kaelen Ohm shared her transformative journey from extreme skiing to acting. The actress, who has made waves at the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF), discussed her latest film, The Betrayers, which premiered just a day earlier, on September 12. Ohm emphasized how her experiences as a skier shaped her approach to acting, particularly her willingness to tackle complex and challenging roles.
This year at TIFF, Kaelen Ohm has emerged as a standout performer, captivating audiences with her roles in multiple films, including Hit & Run and From. Her portrayal of Leora in The Betrayers, a complex character entwined in political intrigue in Crimea, has especially garnered attention from Canadian casting directors and production teams, affirming that she is a talent to watch.
Ohm's transition from competitive skiing to acting began with a desire for exploration. "For me, when something starts to feel too easy, that’s where I want to find the steeper hill to go down," she noted, drawing parallels between the risk-taking necessary in extreme skiing and her evolving career in the arts. This metaphor captures her bold approach to acting, where she purposefully seeks out challenging roles that push her limits.
Prior to her breakout at TIFF, Ohm had already made an impact in television with roles in series such as Hell on Wheels, Taken, and Murdoch Mysteries. Her breakthrough came in 2020 with Hit & Run, in which she portrayed Danielle, a character whose death drives the series' central mystery. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional challenges, with production delays testing her resilience. Remarkably, she navigated these setbacks while continuing to evolve her craft.
In The Betrayers, directed by David Bezmozgis, Ohm's character is deeply rooted in a narrative steeped in both political and personal turmoil. With her Jewish heritage, Ohm found a profound connection to her character's ambition to succeed in a fraught political landscape. The personal stories from her own family history, reflecting themes of displacement and survival, enhanced her performance, allowing her to authentically portray Leora's journey.
Kaelen Ohm's rising prominence at film festivals like TIFF signals a potential shift in her career trajectory. As she takes on demanding and layered roles, both audiences and industry insiders will keenly follow her progress. Her aspirations extend beyond acting; she is also looking to direct her own scripted films.
For fans and followers of the film community, the evolution of Kaelen Ohm’s career encapsulates the intricate relationship between personal history and artistic expression. Her work in The Betrayers, along with her other notable productions showcased at TIFF, fosters a renewed dialogue on representation in cinema, demonstrating the importance of diverse narratives and authentic storytelling through film.
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