The hardest part about playing a terrifying rancher in Jane Campion’s acclaimed Netflix film?
“The banjo.”
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You’re known for cerebral roles: Doctor Strange, Sherlock Holmes.
Netflix
This one’s different, a gruff 1930s Montana rancher named Phil.
What drew you to it?
Heisa cerebral character, by the way.
It was just a really mind-blowing experience, and so far away from my lived one.
You stayed in character throughout filming.
What was that like?
It’s the longest I’ve ever been in character.
There are all sorts of technical reasons: We were in New Zealand.
How did that work on weekends?
Did you apologize to your costarsKodi Smit-McPheeandKirsten Dunst?
[I said] “I’m so sorry.
I’m body-shaming you.
I’m torturing you psychologically.
It’s so horrible.”
What was in the “look book” directorJane Campiongave you?
The production was led by two extraordinary women, director Campion andcinematographer Ari Wegner.
What was the vibe on set?
For me, it’s not really about gender.
It’s just about sensitivity and appreciation for the balance of needs on a set.
But on a day-to-day shoot, it doesn’t seem to me as being a different feeling.
Maybe I’ve been lucky and I haven’t worked with sort of hypermasculine directors.
What is Jane’s directing style?
She brings out such raw, direct, and honest performances from her actors.
It was a great idea.
Your performance was so fearless.
Did anything scare you about the process?
Oh, God, all of it.
And the banjo thebanjo.
There’s nothing like playing a musical instrument to bring you up short.
