An actor has opened up about his mental preparation for a graphic orgy scene in a much-discussed horror film.
Jack Reynor, known for his role in Midsommar, has shared how the cast reacted upon first viewing Ari Aster’s folk horror movie when it premiered in 2019.
While his co-stars were left speechless, sitting in silence after watching it together, the 33-year-old Irish actor had a rather distinct response compared to when filming concluded after shooting a large orgy scene.
In the film, Reynor and Florence Pugh portray Dani and Christian, an American couple who find themselves entangled with a dangerous cult in rural Sweden.
The film features extensive nudity, and regarding that particular intense scene, Reynor acknowledges that it was ‘extremely awkward and uncomfortable’.
Asked about his experience viewing the film for the first time, he told Entertainment Weekly it was “Tough! f***ing tough!”
“We watched it as a cast together in New York. We all laughed through the first two-thirds of the film, at all that gallows humor, and then for the final third of the film, all of us were silent. When the credits rolled, there was no applause or congratulations. It was just silence. We all sat with our heads in our hands.
“There was a good 10 minutes of not speaking.”
The Transformers actor then discussed his immediate reaction after filming, noting: “I basically went from [the set] to the airport and I got f***ing smashed.
“I asked for multiple flights home instead of a direct one so I could get even more f***ing hammered.’”
Despite his intense reaction to the film’s ending, Reynor believes the film’s challenges were ultimately meaningful.
He commented: “It’s difficult to digest, and there’s a lot to unpack. But that’s the type of work that’s worth doing.
“The last time I felt that way watching a film was with In the Realm of the Senses by Nagisa Oshima. That film affected me deeply as well. It’s the same kind of feeling—just heaviness. But you’re watching something designed to evoke that reaction.”
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Reynor explained that one major reason he wanted to be part of the film was the opportunity to portray a different type of character.
“I was intrigued by the concept of this archetypal alpha male character being stripped of everything throughout the film, including his community of friends who support his image as an alpha male, and ultimately, his own identity.”
Reynor continued: “He experiences a humiliating and exposing fate, something I’ve mostly seen happen to female characters in horror, especially with that level of exposure in a sexual context.
“It was an opportunity to challenge that norm, and I wanted to fully engage by advocating for as much full-frontal nudity as possible.”
As for his views on pies and pastries, Reynor joked he’ll never see a Cornish pasty ‘the same way again’. If you’re familiar with the scene, you’ll understand why.