George MacKay on Perfecting the Howl and Prowl of 'Wolf' [The Fourth Wall #42]

The Playlist Podcast Network

For years, George MacKay has been one of the most fascinating and versatile actors working out of the U.K. Having made his acting debut in 2003, in P. J. Hogan's magnificent adaptation of "Peter Pan," MacKay quickly went on to give diverse, but invariably gripping performances in films such as "Defiance," "The Thief Lord," "The Boys are Back," and "Private Peaceful," all before he turned 20. More recently, MacKay electrified the screen with two top-tier performances in 2019 and 2020, first as Lance Corporal Schofield in Sam Mendes' groundbreaking "1917," and then as Ned Kelly in Justin Kurzel's Australian Western "True History of the Kelly Gang."

MacKay's latest project, Nathalie Biancheri’s "Wolf," sees the actor play Jacob, a boy who believes himself to be the titular animal, contending with his own visions and beliefs at the same time that he receives psychiatric treatment for his condition. "Wolf" is a stunning, deeply unique film with a central performance from MacKay that allows him to dive deep into his craft, as he howls and prowls around while being torn back and forth between his fantasy wilderness and the cold reality of the clinic that is treating him.

MacKay sat down with us to talk about “Wolf” and the ways in which he inhabited Jacob. "Over the last few years, so much socially and personally is being redefined by us questioning how we've been in the past as a species, to each other, and how we speak about that," said MacKay. "We look to animals because I think, at the end of the day, so much of what we're kind of discussing at the minute are articulations of very primal wants and needs to survive, very human versions of those primal desires or requirements."

MacKay also discussed the artistic intent of the film, including its bold style and unconventional sensibilities, and why it was important that they be played straight. Finally, upon reflecting how "Wolf" aided his growth as a performer, MacKay added, "I realized [before] how much I'm in my head, how I've almost revered thoughts. I stand by that in certain times. I think everything needs a lot of thought and discussion, but sometimes the noise in your brain can get in the way. The calm of being in your body, being a little less in your thoughts, is something I'll definitely take away from [making 'Wolf']."

During our conversation with George MacKay, we dive deep into all things "Wolf," including the moment MacKay found the physical cadence of Jacob, his experience working with movement coach Terry Notary, and more!

"Wolf" hits theaters on December 3, 2021.

Interview conducted by Kaleena Steakle (@ShutUpKaleena)

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