Controversial horror film reveals actor's startling account of shooting explicit group sex scene
In the chilling folk horror movie, Midsommar, Irish actor Jack Reynor delved deep into his role as an archetypal alpha male character, stripping him of everything in a groundbreaking performance. Released in 2019, Midsommar, directed by Ari Aster, has left a lasting impact not only on audiences but also on Reynor himself.
Upon watching the movie for the first time, Reynor described his reaction as "Tough! Fing tough!" The graphic orgy scene, in particular, left him feeling extremely awkward and uncomfortable. To cope with the intense experience, Reynor processed it by drinking heavily and specifically arranged to take two connecting flights home so he could get "even more fing hammered."
The raw emotion of Midsommar was evident even among the cast. During a screening in New York, the cast, including Reynor and his co-star Florence Pugh, watched the movie together. Despite the dark humour that filled the first two-thirds of the film, everyone fell silent during the final third. After the credits rolled, there was no celebratory exchange; instead, the cast sat quietly with their heads in their hands, a testament to the deep impact the movie had on them.
Reynor's portrayal of a character in Midsommar flipped the script on the usual representation of sexual exposure in the horror genre. His character, Christian, suffers a humiliating and exposing fate, a rarity in the genre for male characters. This bold move in the script, combined with Reynor's powerful performance, adds an extra layer of tension and unease to the movie.
Interestingly, Reynor's experience with Midsommar has also changed his perspective on Cornish pasties. Despite the film's unsettling scenes, Reynor found solace in the comforting food during filming, making it a memorable part of his Midsommar journey.
Midsommar, with its raw performances, disturbing scenes, and thought-provoking ending, stands as a testament to Reynor's belief that the ending is "worth doing." His visceral reaction to the movie and his commitment to his role have made Midsommar a standout in both Reynor's and Aster's careers.
[1] Source: Interview with Jack Reynor, Empire Magazine, October 2019.
[1] Jack Reynor's performance in Midsommar has left a significant impact not only on audiences but also on himpersonally.[2] His portrayal of an archetypal alpha male character in the movie has been critically acclaimed and has changed the representation of sexual exposure in the horror genre.[3] After watching the graphic orgy scene, Reynor coped with the intense experience by drinking heavily and took two connecting flights home to get "even more f***ing hammered."[4] Reynor found solace in Cornish pasties during filming, making it a memorable part of his Midsommar journey. The movie, with its raw performances, disturbing scenes, and thought-provoking ending, stands as a testament to Reynor's belief that the ending is "worth doing."
