This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
*In the suspenseful Apple TV+ thriller “Echo Valley,” Domhnall Gleeson takes on the role of Jackie Lyman, a character he describes as a unique and complex predator.
Directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Michael Pearce, the film follows Kate (Julianne Moore) as she navigates a fraught relationship with her daughter Claire (Sydney Sweeney) amid a dangerous and bloody mystery. Gleeson’s portrayal of Jackie escalates the story’s tension, bringing a menacing yet layered presence to the screen.
Gleeson was drawn to the project after being impressed by Pearce’s debut film. "I had seen Michael’s first film, Beast , and absolutely loved it. I knew he was a real proper director. So that makes you feel in safe hands. And that makes you willing to like, you know, not take risks, but more willing to explore and not protect yourself," he said.
This trust allowed him to dive into the role of Jackie, a character unlike any he had played before. "The character was very different from anything I had played before. I had played people who have nasty impulses, who do bad things, all that sort of stuff. But Jackie was a particular sort of predator," Gleeson explained.
I found him interesting because all he's looking for are the vulnerabilities in people, how to take advantage of that and get the most out of them and suck them dry," he continued. "But he's also at the mercy of people above him. I wanted him to feel that weight. I liked where he was, as a character; it was an interesting place to explore.
When asked whether he saw Jackie as a villain, victim, or something more nuanced, Gleeson emphasized the character’s duality.
He’s definitely both. But in the story that we see, he’s more villain than victim. It’s important that he’s threatening and that he’s all the things that the characters need him to be to do the things that they do in response to make the choices they do. You just got to figure out how to make sure he has that, but is also a fully formed person at the same time.
Working with Julianne Moore was a highlight for Gleeson. He described the creative energy on set as both intense and supportive.
"It was great. I think Michael made it feel like a good place, a safe place. It was a brilliant crew. I think not enough people talk about that, like really, really fun, but very respectful, all great at their jobs. You never had to worry about anything else. That was wonderful," he said.
The dynamic with Moore elevated the stakes. "And then in the scenes, it was like... once the camera’s going, you want the stakes to feel incredibly high. And then once they call cut, you want to feel like you can relax a little bit. I loved going on that ride with Julianne. She’s a consummate professional, but she’s a real artist. And it’s nice that she’s both."
Reflecting on the emotional impact of "Echo Valley," Gleeson highlighted the universal themes at its core.
"The only way I can describe it is that… I’m not a parent, but in the film, there is a sense of Kate’s character hoping and wishing and praying for the best for her daughter, and fearing the worst. It strikes me that that’s possibly part of the experience of being the parent of any child or grown-up. So I hope that it gives that feeling to people of what that must be like," he said.
He also expressed excitement about the film’s ability to captivate audiences, recalling a recent screening: “We watched it with a crowd in a cinema the other day and there was a load of gasps and Oh, my God's. I hope that people get to have that experience when they’re watching it, too.
Now streaming on Apple TV+, "Echo Valley" promises to deliver a thrilling and emotionally resonant experience, with Gleeson’s portrayal of Jackie as a pivotal force in its gripping narrative.
Watch our full interview with Domhnall Gleeson via the link below.
MORE FROM media news: Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney on Crafting the Heart-Wrenching Mother-Daughter Bond in ‘Echo Valley’ | EUR Video Exclusive
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