Juliette Lewis: A deep dive into her role in ’The Thicket’
A seasoned equestrian’s journey
Juliette Lewis has always been a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood, but her latest role in the thriller The Thicket showcases a different side of her talent. Known for her impressive horseback riding skills, Lewis reveals, “I’m a third-place ribbon barrel racer. I grew up riding horses before I was 12.” This background proved invaluable during the filming in Calgary’s harsh winter, where the first task was to demonstrate her riding prowess. “I got a very good rating with my horse riding,” she proudly states.
Transforming into Cut Throat Bill
Directed by Elliott Lester and based on Joe R. Lansdale’s book, The Thicket features Lewis as Cut Throat Bill, a ruthless outlaw who kidnaps a young girl. The girl’s brother, played by Levon Hawke, hires a bounty hunter (Peter Dinklage) to rescue her. Interestingly, the character of Cut Throat Bill was originally written as a man. Lewis describes Bill as “vicious and devoid of humanity,” a character who relishes in others’ pain—a stark contrast to her own empathetic nature.
Crafting a memorable character
Lewis delves into the process of making Cut Throat Bill a real, tangible person. ”Her original name is Wilhelmina. I don’t know how Wilhelmina goes into Bill, but it does,” she muses. The transformation involved adopting a gravelly voice, which she discovered while reading lines in her kitchen. “I’m happy that I could go that low. It was hard to yell in that range,” she admits, highlighting the physical challenges of the role.
The harsh realities of filming
The extreme cold of Calgary added another layer of authenticity to the film. ”It was so freezing and uncomfortable the entire shoot,” Lewis recalls. The weather, often a character in itself, required the use of thick face cream to prevent skin from turning into “chapped leather.” Despite the discomfort, the conditions helped Lewis embody her character’s ruggedness.
A fast-paced production
Filming The Thicket in just 22 days was a stark contrast to the lengthy shoots of the ’90s. “Now you’re lucky if you get eight weeks,” Lewis notes, reminiscing about the four-month shoots of films like “Cape Fear” and “Natural Born Killers.” The tight schedule demanded efficiency and dedication from the entire team, with director Elliott Lester maintaining enthusiasm and team spirit throughout.
Working with Peter Dinklage
Despite not having seen a single episode of “Game of Thrones,” Lewis was thrilled to work with Peter Dinklage. “I was just a Peter Dinklage fan. There’s such a deep resonance in his work,” she says. The experience reminded her of working with Robert De Niro in “Cape Fear,” where a transcendence occurs, touching on profound truths between characters.
Reflecting on ‘Yellowjackets’
Fans of the series Yellowjackets were disappointed to learn that Lewis would not return for the third season. “I very much knew I was going to be killed off,” she reveals. While she appreciates the excitement of series work, her creative DNA leans towards moviemaking, with its finite period and clear narrative structure.
Dream roles and missed opportunities
Lewis has always harbored a desire to play a jazz singer, particularly Anita O’Day, known for her bebop and scat singing. “She lived a wild, colorful life,” Lewis says. Another dream was to remake Fellini’s “Nights of Cabiria,” a film she describes as “poignant and funny and whimsical.”
Final thoughts
Juliette Lewis’s journey through The Thicket and her reflections on past roles and future aspirations offer a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a dedicated and versatile actress. Her ability to transform into complex characters, coupled with her genuine passion for her craft, continues to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the world of cinema.