Movies

Garrett Hedlund and Stephen Lang’s ‘Barron’s Cove’: A Gripping Thriller With a Gnarly Truth

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As a passionate cinephile, I find myself captivated by the enigmatic narrative of “Barron’s Cove.” In this intriguing tale, Garrett Hedlund portrays a man grappling with profound grief, while the versatile Stephen Lang assumes dual roles, serving both as an ally and adversary to Hedlund. Since his breakthrough in the sports drama “Friday Night Lights,” Hedlund has carved out a niche for himself in action and thriller genres, impressing audiences with his performances in films like “Tron: Legacy,” “Inside Llewyn Davis” (Coen brothers), and “Tulsa King” (Taylor Sheridan). On the other hand, Lang, a renowned character actor, has made a name for himself through his imposing antagonistic roles, such as Quaritch in the “Avatar” series and Norman/The Blind Man in the “Don’t Breathe” franchise.

In the movie “Barron’s Cove,” directed by Evan Ari Kelman, Hedlund plays the character Caleb, a man who balances his job working for his mafia uncle Lang’s Benji while attempting to nurture a relationship with his son, Barron. Tragedy strikes when Barron is found dead, having been hit by a train. Caleb’s sorrow deepens as he uncovers the possibility of another boy who might hold the key to Barron’s death, leading to a tense showdown between the two. As family secrets start to surface, a web of darkness unfolds. Alongside Hedlund and Lang, the star-studded cast of “Barron’s Cove” also features Brittany Snow from “Pitch Perfect,” Christian Convery from “Sweet Tooth,” Hamish Linklater from “Manhunt,” and Raúl Castillo from “Smile 2.”

In preparation for the premiere of “Barron’s Cove”, ScreenRant had a chat with Garrett Hedlund and Stephen Lang. They spoke about the film’s chilling portrayal of grief and the lengths a parent might go to seek justice for their children, as well as their experiences working together to create their characters’ relationship, and their thoughts on the movie’s conclusion. Additionally, Hedlund mentioned his possible return in “Tron: Ares”, and Lang gave an update on the upcoming “Don’t Breathe 3”.

Warning: SPOILERS lie ahead for Barron’s Cove!

Hedlund’s Own Parenting Had A Major Influence On His Barron’s Cove Performance

Lang Had “Never Read A Script Quite Like” The Thriller

The movie’s emotional tale of a father seeking justice for his son’s death might strike a chord with viewers, especially those who are parents themselves, like Hedlund. Pondering over this connection, Hedlund admitted that being a parent significantly impacted his desire to portray Caleb and his acting in the film. Moreover, he suggested that it made the role somewhat easier by prompting the question: “What would you do?” in similar circumstances.

Speaking as a passionate film lover, I ponder if the viewers find themselves contemplating, ‘How far would I go for my child? Can I relate to this man’s situation? At what point does one draw the line when they believe they’re right?’ This question was at the heart of every decision I made during this project. Even though it’s categorized as a thriller, I approached it like any other dramatic role I’ve taken on. A month prior to filming, I relocated to the shooting location to contribute in any way possible, not just sticking to the scripted lines, but also bringing my own interpretations and insights to the table. Throughout the process, I consistently asked myself that question to ensure my performance was authentic and resonant.

Both Hedlund and Lang were full of praise for Evan Ari Kelman’s work on the movie’s script. Hedlund was “deeply impressed” by Kelman, admiring his intelligence, wisdom, and calm demeanor, stating that he hadn’t seen such a calm director since Joseph Kosinski during Tron: Legacy. Lang agreed, calling the script “intense,” and noting that he had never read a script quite like it. He found the portrayal of Barron’s Cove, established in and founded by grief, intriguing, and considered Kelman to be a talented director he was willing to take a chance on.

In his words, “I realized there are movies about [grief], but it felt fresh to me.” He added, “It begins with a shocking ‘Oh, my God’ moment, and the tension only grows from there as we navigate this challenging story. I found that intriguing. And I had a feeling that a man capable of writing such a potent and robust script would also excel in directing it.

Lang shared his enthusiasm for collaborating with Hedlund, stating that the Tulsa King star is an “exceptional actor” and he was eager to engage in a “fierce competition” with him. He jokingly added, “toe-to-chin, because he’s quite tall,” while expressing his genuine passion for acting. If there’s a role he believes he can make his own, he will seize the opportunity.

Caleb’s Journey Is About Both Forgiveness & Justice

He’s Also The Only One Who Benji Allows To Push Back Against Him

Caleb, with his existing legal issues and violent past, presents a multi-faceted personality for viewers to understand, especially when he abducts Christian Convery’s character Ethan in order to uncover the truth about his son’s demise. According to Hedlund, understanding why Caleb acts as he does is crucial to the film, as there are numerous instances scattered throughout that not only alter our perspective but also reveal Caleb’s internal battles regarding whether he was a good enough father.

One significant instance that he highlights is toward the end, during Caleb’s last conversation with Detective Navarro, played by Raúl Castillo. In this scene, he discloses that Ethan killed Caleb due to jealousy over how much Barron had expressed his affection for his father. This interaction also serves as a form of resolution for Caleb’s journey, as “having his son gave him the chance to halt this cycle here“, and thus he “felt driven to ensure and reshape the future for this child” and “placed immense pressure on him to do everything correctly“.

Hedlund clarified, “There’s a lingering doubt in him: ‘Did I do enough?’“. Among the stunning shots we filmed, these captured his insecurity more effectively. Unfortunately, due to the tight schedules and limited screen time of modern films, many of those shots were cut during editing. However, there are still several scenes that convey this vulnerability, revealing a tough exterior concealing a man who is secretly insecure and petrified about whether he truly measures up where it counts.

A significant character in Caleb’s story is his uncle, Benji, who is a powerful mafia boss, Lang, and also provides emotional comfort and resources following Barron’s demise. The way Benji managed to blend intimidation with care is described by Lang as a mix of his “natural abilities,” “authority,” and his “survival-of-the-fittest perspective on life” combined with a “paternalistic attitude” towards Caleb, especially after assuming guardianship of his nephew soon after his brother’s passing.

Benji has known this man for his entire life, cared for him, watched him grow, and feels affectionate towards him. This is rare for Benji, as he doesn’t usually feel this way about many people. When working with Garrett on set, it’s all about being there, reacting naturally, because Garrett is a highly engaged actor.

Commending Hedlund for his “exquisitely balanced” and “unrestrained” acting, Lang elaborates that during filming, his role was to “surf that wave, enhance it, and shape it.” In certain scenes, Lang experienced a strong connection with Hedlund, one example being when Benji tells Caleb he won’t act without permission, but Caleb retorts by saying “I don’t need your permission.”

In this revised version, I aimed to maintain the original meaning while using more natural and easy-to-read language.

In a difficult exchange between the two, as he typically wouldn’t allow such behavior to pass unchallenged in different situations, Lang stated, “That was not an acceptable manner to address me. How dare you speak to me like that. But under the unique circumstances of working with Garrett, we explored and developed this dynamic.

In another recollection by Lang, the initial encounter between Caleb and Benji stands out. This occurs when Caleb gets home from work and Benji asks him to revisit the site for payment collection, a request that leaves Caleb disheartened since he was supposed to pick up his son instead. Lang admired how Hedlund skillfully demonstrated “his strong points” and “his vulnerable aspects” in this one scene, effectively setting the stage for the complex relationship between the two characters. Lastly, Lang anticipates the moment when Navarro arrives during Barron’s funeral, coinciding with the broadcast of the official announcement that his death was a suicide. This is the scene where Caleb becomes enraged at these individuals.

In that particular scene, he unexpectedly gave me a powerful kick in the shin, which I found quite painful. [Laughs] That’s something I recall vividly. There might have been a brief instant where I crossed my eyes, but he was moving so fast his foot caught me right on my ankle, shin area. My response was more of a surprised yelp than anything else, and after we finished filming, I chose not to mention it.

Caleb’s Death Was Ordered By Benji For A Clear Reason

Both Hedlund & Lang Do, However, See A Positive Side To The Ending

Following his collaboration with Navarro in apprehending Hamish Linklater’s character Lyle for attempting to murder Ethan, Caleb faces imprisonment, but an unexpected twist unfolds when his police escorts abruptly halt in a secluded alley and abandon him. Subsequently, two unidentified assassins approach and fatally shoot Caleb off-camera. In the series Barron’s Cove, various corrupt adversaries have challenged the protagonist, leaving it ambiguous as to who commanded Caleb’s death. Nevertheless, both Hedlund and Lang have disclosed that Benji was responsible for this act; Hedlund even chuckles as he refers to them as “a good family“.

According to Hedlund, his uncle had put in a tremendous amount of effort to reach his current position. He then designed the entire operation for all his shady dealings to operate smoothly, like a finely tuned mechanism. Finally, everything was going well until Caleb became the only obstacle that could reveal the villain’s identity. Lang shared this perspective and remembered Benji’s line in the film: “You’ve defied me for the last time. If I see your face again, I will kill you.

Although the film’s ending might seem melancholic at first glance, both Lang and Hedlund discovered a more optimistic perspective. Specifically, Hedlund expressed that fundamentally, Caleb yearned for reunion with his son, a desire evident as he embraces Barron before the screen fades to black. Similarly, Lang believes that this act by Benji was strategic, suggesting that he was granting Caleb a favor in reuniting him with his son.

In simpler terms, To me, Caleb’s life seems to be at an end, but perhaps I’m just finding reasons for that. However, the movie concludes in a way it had to, and that conclusion comes about because Benji helps make it happen. Moreover, by the end, we see Caleb smiling – something we rarely saw throughout the film. So, maybe Benji isn’t as villainous as he appears, right? [Laughs]

Hedlund Wants To “Let That Ambiguity Rest” Of Whether Sam Will Be Back For Tron: Ares

The Legacy Star Is Also “Very Excited” For The Franchise’s Return

Looking past Barron’s Cove, one of Hedlund’s cherished characters is Sam Flynn, son of Jeff Bridges’ Kevin, in Tron: Legacy. The 2010 sequel ended on a cliffhanger, leaving room for him to reappear in the upcoming Tron: Ares. When asked about his possible involvement, Hedlund preferred to “keep that ambiguity floating up there in the sky”, but expressed great eagerness to see what they’ve done with Ares, especially considering the challenges the third installment has faced.

Hedlund enthusiastically shared, “They put in an incredible amount of effort to bring this into existence.” He spoke with admiration about how they overcame challenges such as COVID-19, strikes, and still managed to reach their goal. “I’m thrilled,” he said, “and I can feel that excitement spreading, extending the influence of The Grid. It’s amazing to think about all the time that has passed since Legacy. But I’m particularly delighted that viewers will get another taste of Tron, its characters, and The Grid, along with a dash of Bridges.

Don’t Breathe 3 Has Seen “Some Backward Progress” Since Being Revealed In 2022

“I Hope We Do It, Because I’d Really Like To Kill The Old Buzzard Off.”​​​​

Despite being engrossed in the Avatar series, Lang has also been associated with the successful Don’t Breathe series, hinting at a third installment towards the end of 2022. Since then, there haven’t been many developments to report. In our conversation, Lang admitted that “there was some setback on it for a while,” but he remained hopeful, suggesting that “things might progress” and revealing that they already have a concept in place for the third movie.

Regarding the progression of Don’t Breathe 3, Lang acknowledges it will be a challenging task to fit all the pieces together. The reason being that they aim to create something truly comprehensive and unique, which is significantly different from the first two films. As you may recall, each film in the series has been distinct from one another. However, the busy schedule of Fede Álvarez, Rodo Sayagues, and themselves poses a challenge, as they’ve been occupied with numerous projects, including the highly anticipated Alien: Romulus scheduled for release in 2024.

Lang stated, “They’re quite warm, making conversation a struggle, but in the recent past, I’ve had a brief exchange with them and there’s been slight advancement. I genuinely hope we can move forward with this, as I’d be delighted to see the end of that old bird.” [Laughs]

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2025-06-06 20:19

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