Movies

Will Poulter, a shape-shifter who does much with little, is getting too good to sideline

BBG News

In London, several years ago, Will Poulter found himself jobless and eagerly awaiting his next project. As he sat watching an episode of the suspenseful sci-fi anthology “Black Mirror” on Netflix, his phone rang unexpectedly. To his surprise, it was his agent inquiring about Will’s availability for a future season of the very show he was currently engrossed in.

Poulter, 32, questioned during our brunch on a recent Sunday morning, ‘Isn’t anything more reminiscent of ‘Black Mirror’ than that?’ He was scrutinizing his house for potential surveillance and wondered, ‘Could they be spying on me via the television?’

In an extraordinary twist that would make the “Black Mirror” universe blink in surprise, a 2018 interactive film named “Bandersnatch” emerged. This innovative production, penned by series creator Charlie Brooker and directed by David Slade, offered viewers the unique opportunity to steer the storyline using their remote controls. The choices made by viewers resulted in diverse storylines and multiple endings. In this narrative, Poulter portrayed Colin Ritman, an eccentric video game designer with a grandiose self-image who fancied himself as existing beyond the boundaries of space and time.

Poulter’s unique, unanticipated style and his crisp, robotic delivery left such a lasting impression on Brooker that he decided to bring back the character, Colin, for the upcoming Season 7 episode titled “Plaything” (available on Netflix starting Thursday), despite the fact that Colin met his end in the storyline of “Bandersnatch.

Brooker explains that it would have been simple to portray Will as a stoner, an exaggerated nerd, or a hippie-like character over Zoom. However, Will introduced an intriguing quirkiness to his character, making him one of Brooker’s favorites to write for in ‘Black Mirror’, which is why he was brought back.

It’s not unexpected that Brooker lauds Poulter, who appears to put a great deal of thought into each decision he makes, yet executes it seamlessly, as this assessment seems fitting during our conversation as well. With no airs about him, Poulter arrives at the High Road House in Chiswick wearing a sleeveless black Nike shirt and gym shorts (he mentions it’s laundry day). He lounges comfortably on a velour sofa between nibbles of granola and sips of coffee. However, despite his relaxed demeanor, Poulter remains fully focused, undisturbed by the constant activity around us.

Black Mirror” showcases a unique blend that Poulter consistently pursues – it delivers both a thought-provoking social commentary and engaging entertainment. The upcoming trio of movies by the actor, “Death of a Unicorn,” currently showing, “Warfare,” to be released this Friday, and historical queer drama “On Swift Horses” on April 25th, cover a wide spectrum of narrative styles. However, they all reflect Poulter’s dedication to catering to his audience.

For him, it’s less about the scale of the part, as demonstrated by his performance as a brash manchild in Ari Aster’s terrifying “Midsommar” or his Emmy-nominated guest role as Luca, a pastry chef and mentor on “The Bear.” Instead, he’s focused on the end product.

Poulter states that while the opportunity to take on more roles on screen is undeniably appealing, it shouldn’t come at the cost of making the character feel authentic, not just for me but for others as well.

He emphasizes the importance of considering, ‘What impact will this movie or TV show have on its viewers?’ He aims for it to spark something within them, whether that’s a smile or a laugh. He always strives to have a clear understanding of his purpose behind the project.

In a gritty and emotionally charged movie titled “Warfare,” which depicted a disastrous, turbulent mission in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006, provided Jack O’Connell Poulter an opportunity to grapple with profound questions regarding worldwide conflict and masculinity. This chance arose when Poulter received another pivotal phone call, this time inviting him for a meeting with filmmaker and scriptwriter Alex Garland, who had previously worked on “Civil War.” To his surprise, Garland offered Poulter the role of Captain Eric on the spot.

Poulter recounts that Alex told him, “Go over the script, and if you find the role appealing, I’d like for you to take it on.” Poulter admits he was taken aback by the invitation, as he had been rejected several times in the past when auditioning for Garland’s show ‘Devs’. Despite these rejections, he continued sending tapes because he was eager to collaborate with him.

In an interview, Garland, who collaborated with ex-U.S. Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza on directing and scriptwriting for the movie, shared his fascination with Poulter due to his exceptional reputation. However, it was Poulter’s skill in expressing deep emotions through minimal dialogue that truly captivated Garland in the end.

Garland clarifies that for “Warfare,” the actors need to fill the gaps between spoken lines with their personalities and characters. This is especially true of exchanged looks, where for Will’s character, it involves introspection. The cast successfully took on this challenge, with Will delivering a particularly strong performance.

The film is loosely inspired by Mendoza’s personal experiences during the Iraq war, with certain aspects altered to safeguard the identities of some platoon members. Poulter’s character, Eric, is modeled after someone currently serving in the military. In a remarkable group of actors including D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, and Kit Connor, Poulter delivers a striking portrayal of stillness that conceals his character’s inner turmoil. He effectively portrays Eric as a composed individual who maintains equilibrium during crises and assumes the full weight of leadership responsibility.

According to Mendoza, there were many traits in Will that closely resembled the actual individual. He was older than us, which made him an effective leader. His strength lay in recognizing that he was surrounded by exceptionally talented individuals and those who excelled at their roles. Will realized that good leadership primarily involves listening rather than speaking.

Before filming last summer, Poulter seized the chance to meet the authentic Eric (who’s real name was altered) at a military installation in San Diego. He describes it as “one of the most exceptional days” he has ever experienced.

Reflecting back, Poulter remarks that the American soldier he encountered surpassed his expectations in terms of progressiveness and innovation. Having grown up in London, Poulter admits to harboring many preconceived notions about what an American soldier would be like. He confesses to making numerous assumptions about this individual, but was surprised by how open-minded and forward-thinking he turned out to be. “It’s a rare gift,” says Poulter, “to have never experienced war firsthand and only know it through the depictions on TV and movies.

Discussing with his actual counterpart further emphasized the movie’s central theme, which brutally plunges the audience into battle through a barrage of action and deafening sound. Authenticity was the key focus, hence numerous real-life SEALs were willing to divulge their experiences.

In his words, the intention wasn’t to exaggerate or idealize the soldiers’ professions, but instead, to portray their reality truthfully. Unlike other versions, this film doesn’t attempt to make the fighters appear cool or exceptional at their jobs. Instead, it shows them making errors and dealing with loss, which demands a great deal of humility from everyone involved in its creation.

According to Garland, Poulter was extremely proactive in his preparation. He left no stone unturned, giving it his all. Many actors promise to prepare thoroughly but often fall short, claiming they’ll do great things. However, Will didn’t just talk about it; he actually followed through and did as promised.

Prior to the onset of filming, Garland and Mendoza gathered the cast at Bovington Airfield Studios, located north of London. For three weeks, they subjected the actors to a rigorous boot camp, during which everyone shaved their heads and acquired tactical abilities. Poulter described this shared experience as “crucial.

He notes that trust is subtly conveyed on screen since there’s minimal dialogue, mostly radio chatter instead. Ray skillfully portrayed confidence, but we all knew it was just a small part of the larger reality.

Movies

At the start and conclusion of “Detroit,” Kathryn Bigelow’s gripping, agonizing, and indispensable new movie, a young Motown artist named Larry Reed (brilliantly portrayed by Algee Smith) lifts his gaze skyward and sings from the heart with an overwhelming intensity. As a movie enthusiast, this moment deeply moved me.

Apart from that, Poulter reminisces about collaborating with director Kathryn Bigelow during the production of her 2017 thought-provoking drama set in the 1960s, titled “Detroit.” In this movie, he portrayed the character of a racist police officer named Philip Krauss.

His statement highlights the importance of observing Kathryn’s leadership approach for him to effectively carry out tasks, which he refers to as ‘Warfare.’ He credits Kathryn for shaping his perception of leadership, as she embodies the idea of valuing every opinion in a room and avoiding letting ego overshadow others. Her unique blend of humility and authority is something he finds admirable.

As a cinephile, the film “Detroit” sparked a profound reevaluation of my artistic approach. Having transitioned from child acting to prominent roles in movies like “The Maze Runner” and “The Revenant,” I’d always thought of my craft as purely creative. However, “Detroit” made me realize that my work could also serve a social purpose. The harrowing tale of the 1967 12th Street Riot in Detroit opened my eyes to the profound impact events have on society, and how, as a white individual, I’ve been shaped by privileges I may not always recognize.

He realizes that his work in film can inspire others and potentially spark change, but it’s also personally significant to him when people mention watching “We’re the Millers” during difficult times.

The movie titled ‘Death of a Unicorn’ leans more towards entertainment, as it features Poulter delivering a standout performance as Shepard, the spoiled rich kid from a pharmaceutical family. They aim to exploit the discovery of mythical creatures for financial gain and drugs. This whimsical and humorous horror-comedy, directed by Alex Scharfman, provides Poulter with opportunities to improvise and showcase his comedic skills alongside Paul Rudd, an actor he’s long admired from ‘Friends.’

Poulter shares, “Working on ‘Warfare’ was the most impactful and significant film set experience for me. ‘The Bear’ was deeply personal and uplifting. However, ‘Death of a Unicorn’ was simply the most enjoyable and filled with laughter. It felt surreal and like a dream come true.

In a more contemplative manner, the upcoming movie “On Swift Horses,” helmed by Daniel Minahan and adapted from Shannon Pufahl’s 2019 novel, provided a deep and reflective experience. Set in the 1950s, this romantic drama presents the story of Lee (played by Poulter), the hopeful spouse of Muriel (portrayed by Daisy Edgar-Jones). Lee’s life takes an introspective turn when his unpredictable brother, Julius (Jacob Elordi), enters the picture. Filmed in Los Angeles in 2023, Poulter was drawn to the script and the opportunity to collaborate with Minahan.

Poulter finds it rewarding when he can push himself beyond his limits and experience new challenges,” he remarks about his character, who appears to be the strictest figure in the movie, yet Poulter gives him an unexpected touch of sensitivity.

According to Poulter, his interpretation of the character matched Dan’s, and he shared insights about Lee that offered new perspectives. This interaction, he said, was both helpful and cooperative, indicating a promising working relationship between actor and director. It left him thinking, “I want more of this experience.

Despite completing four significant projects in quick succession, Poulter admits he’s uncertain about his public and professional image, which might actually be beneficial for his mental wellbeing. It’s also puzzling that, when people encounter him outside, it’s rarely due to a specific project.

Poulter explains, “People seem to recognize me because I have a unique and expressive face, much like Owen Wilson and Barry Keoghan. Since I was young, my appearance has stood out. I’ve grown into this distinctive look over the years. As I put it, ‘I have one of those faces and I’m lanky.’ This combination makes it difficult to blend in. Often, people ask, ‘You remind me of that guy’ or ‘Have we met before?’

He laughs. “You don’t want to be the person who is reciting your CV and listing off movies.”

He has reached a level of versatility that many actors strive for, frequently leaving viewers yearning for more. His bold portrayal in “Midsommer” continues to serve as a common ground among fans, despite Poulter’s assertion that his role was relatively effortless as he merely wandered around vaping and making lewd jokes on set.

Although I don’t want to boast about it, I really enjoyed ‘Midsommar,'” he admits. “Unlike many others, the film’s horrors and traumas didn’t leave a deep impact on me.

In Season 2, we were introduced to “The Bear,” portrayed by Luca, a charming tattooed pastry chef. However, it was in the final episode of Season 3 that Poulter reprised his role, bringing joy to fans. When asked about his potential return, Poulter gives a hopeful look but remains vague about any definite plans.

At last, he concedes under pressure, “I truly hope it’s the case,” he says. “That series means so much to me. Just being part of it feels unbelievable. When I’m on that set, I can’t help but think, ‘Wow, they’ve let a fan onto the set.’ I honestly feel like a contest winner.

What drives Poulter is not only his passion, but also an inherent eagerness to explore the potential of acting. He recently completed work on indie filmmaker Boots Riley’s “I Love Boosters” in Atlanta and is eager to seek out future collaborations that resonate genuinely with him. Just like with “The Bear,” he’s excited about his career because he shares the same love for movies and TV as the audience does.

“I do what I love for a living because I am a fan first,” Poulter says.

Right now, I don’t require leading a movie to make an impactful appearance. Time and again, I’ve shown that I can steal the show with just one scene.

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2025-04-08 13:32

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