Benedict Cumberbatch reveals a surprising secret to convincingly portraying grief: it’s not about *trying* to cry, but about unlocking the muscle used for laughter. He demonstrated, with a playfully agonized expression, how forcing tears actually shuts down emotion, a technique he playfully warned his Spider-Man co-star, Tom Holland, against repeating.
This insight came from his work on “The Thing with Feathers,” a deeply personal film about a graphic novelist navigating sudden loss and single parenthood. The role demanded a raw emotional honesty, a departure from the often-larger-than-life characters he’s known for.
The film itself presented a unique challenge: adapting Max Porter’s acclaimed, and notoriously “unfilmable,” novel. The story features a striking, unconventional character – a towering, eight-foot-tall talking crow – a presence that initially led to playful speculation about a “man vs. beast” action movie.
However, director Dylan Southern and Cumberbatch, who also produced, intentionally steered away from expensive CGI. Instead, the Crow was brought to life through a stunning sculptural design by Nichola Hicks and a captivating performance by actor Eric Lampaert, voiced by David Thewlis. The result is a visceral, unsettling embodiment of grief itself.
Cumberbatch acknowledges the shift in tone from his Marvel work, describing the role as a welcome return to portraying a “normal” person. He’s often cast as figures defined by exceptional intellect or eccentricity, but this character resonated with his own experiences as a father and an Englishman of a certain age.
He emphasizes the importance of drawing on personal experience, admitting he’s faced his own profound losses, though he carefully avoids specifics. The film’s emotional intensity was palpable on set, even affecting crew members during particularly vulnerable scenes.
The filmmakers deliberately removed the word “grief” from the film’s title, a decision Cumberbatch openly regrets. He’s unflinching in his assessment: if the subject matter is too painful, the film isn’t for everyone. But for those willing to engage, he believes it offers a powerful and honest exploration of a universal human experience.
Southern echoes this sentiment, hoping the film provides a “kind” space to acknowledge the messiness and vulnerability inherent in grieving. He’s been moved by the cathartic reactions from audiences who have found solace and understanding within the story.
“The Thing with Feathers” isn’t a film that shies away from difficult emotions. It’s a raw, unflinching portrayal of loss, and a reminder that it’s profoundly human to feel overwhelmed, afraid, and unsure of how to cope.
Ultimately, the film offers a space for acknowledging the unspoken, and a gentle invitation to embrace the full spectrum of human emotion, tissues highly recommended.
