Summary
Adam Goldberg is back in the director’s chair in a different fashion withThe Exorcism. After finding early success with a major role in Richard Linklater’sDazed and Confused, Goldberg has since made a name for himself both in front of and behind the camera in a number of iconic projects, including the Oscar-winningSaving Private RyanandA Beautiful Mind, as well as co-writing and directingI Love Your WorkandNo Way Jose. More recently, Goldberg has been a series regular on theQueen Latifah-ledThe Equalizer, starring as a master hacker who works with the titular vigilante.
InThe Exorcism, Goldberg stars as Peter, the director of a horror movie who reluctantly casts struggling actor Anthony Miller as the lead in his film after sensing something in him for the part of a priest trying to save a young girl’s life after she’s possessed. Unlike many of Anthony’s co-stars and his estranged daughter, who has moved back in with him, Peter is far more of a stern figure to the actor, frequently putting Anthony down and criticizing him for his efforts. Little does the abusive director know, however, that something darker has a grip on Anthony and could bring more than the whole production to an end.
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Alongside Goldberg, the ensembleExorcismcast includes Russell Croweas Anthony, Ryan Simpkins, Chloe Bailey, Sam Worthington, David Hyde Pierce, Marcenae Lynette, Tracey Bonner, Samantha Mathis, Adrian Pasdar. Co-written byThe Final Girlsduo Joshua J Miller and M.A. Fortin and directed by the former, the movie is a chilling and freshly meta approach to the well-treaded exorcism genre.
In anticipation of the movie’s release,Screen Rantinterviewed Adam Goldberg to discussThe Exorcism, how he went about playing an “a–hole” faux director and pulled from his 30 years of experience working with different directors to capture the character, and how he was devoted to his role after Crowe asked him directly to be a part of it.
Goldberg Loved ThatThe ExorcismGot The “Technical Minutiae” Right With Meta Filmmaking (& Pulled From His Experience To Play An “A–hole Director”)
While many meta-driven movies have explored the ins and outs of making a film, Goldberg expresses a feeling that many get the “technical minutiae wrong” about productions, praisingThe Exorcismfor avoiding these struggles. He also recalls the surreal nature of playing a faux director while being directed by Miller, though feels that his own directing experience helped ground him in his character:
Adam Goldberg: It’s kind of weird, because you’re sort of faux directing while you’re being directed, which is odd. But then, you know, I have directed three films, so there was a familiarity. A lot of times you’re playing — like, I play a hacker on TV, and I don’t know what the f–k I’m doing, but playing a director, I think that I could give it at least some of the minutiae.
Some of the things that really irk me when I watch films about films are just getting some of the technical minutiae wrong, or overlooking it. I think it’s what kind of grounds those things, and keeps it from seeming totally absurd. So, that part felt alright. And then, the rest of it is really obviously just about tapping into the kind of worst side of yourself, which also, in its own way, is kind of cathartic.
When it came to tapping into the more detestable side of his character, Goldberg admits there isn’t any specific prior director he pulled from in playing Peter, but instead the various “a–holes” he’s worked with in the past, including himself, and recalled how the crew would often tell him, “Dude, I know that guy” after watching a scene:
Adam Goldberg: I don’t think so. I remember when we were dressing him, and I got my hair cut and stuff, there were things that we were sort of after in terms of just like, “Who would this guy be now?” But no, the short answer is no. I mean, have I met lots of a–holes? Yes. 100%. Have I been an a–hole? Yeah. So, there’s just enough a–holism in this industry to really fertilize a million Peters. [Laughs]
So, it was an extremely — and maybe arguably a little bit too accessible — thing to draw on, but there was no one particular person. I don’t think it was conscious. I would do a take or scene, and people would come up, and they’d be like, “Dude, I know that guy.” And it’s like, “I do, too.” [Laughs] I don’t know who it is, but it’s just osmosis after 30-plus years.
Crowe Specifically Requested Goldberg For The Role (& Remains Amazed By The Oscar Winner’s Work)
In addition to marking Goldberg’s own return to the horror genre,The Exorcismsees the star reuniting with Crowe afterworking together onA Beautiful Mind. Goldberg recalls how Crowe “specifically asked” for him to star in the new movie, which led to him really putting extra devotion into his role, and shared his admiration for the Oscar winner’s uncanny ability to flip between telling jokes in his natural Australian accent to being fully in character “five seconds later”:
Adam Goldberg: There are two things to say about that. One is Russell specifically asked me to do this. He said, like, “I need you to do this, I know you can do this, so I need you to do this.” So, I’m already sort of there for what seems like a very specific purpose, to kind of really wear him down. And Russell and I are pals off screen, so we’d be hanging out the night before, or whatever. But, I mean, acting is acting, and hopefully, once you’re in a scene, you’re believing what’s happening. And no, you don’t always have that experience.
But Russell — and I remember this on A Beautiful Mind, it’s just really extraordinary — you may be having some side joke with him, and five seconds later, the accent’s gone, and he’s this person who’s crumbling in front of you. And the more he crumbles, the more I feed on his vulnerability, and I hope that’s what two good actors do. I really think of it as almost an athletic kind of engagement that these two players are having with each other. It’s a really great, and sadly somewhat unusual, experience to have that kind of back and forth with another actor.
AboutThe Exorcism
Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.
The Exorcism
Cast
A troubled actor, Anthony Miller, portrayed by Russell Crowe, begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His daughter, Lee, played by Ryan Simpkins, suspects his erratic behavior might be due to his past addictions or something far more sinister. As the film progresses, the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, leading to a tense and chilling climax.
