Robert Pattinson’s crazy performance method: “I was basically unconscious the whole time”
Robert Pattinson isn’t exactly what some might call a method actor. The most drastic thing he did in order to get into the mindset of Edward Cullen in Twilight was to become gloomy and serious; the rest was achieved by his appearance. However, his approach took a different turn for his role in The Lighthouse.
In The Lighthouse, Pattinson depicts the drunk and delirious Ephraim Winslow, who navigates the perils of isolation and reality as he tries to maintain his sanity in the company of his superior, played by Willem Dafoe. The film is immersive, its black and white tone playing up its claustrophobic aura while the performances contribute to the film’s psychedelia.
Although it may naturally feel like a piece that exists in its own realm, obtainable only to those who reach out enough to grasp at its sharp edges, Pattinson became a living manifestation of his own character. This was achieved when he made the drastic choice to come to set intoxicated in an effort to access a slice of Winslow’s notorious mind.
His reason? He was playing a “mad person”, which gave him a free pass to exist outside of convention, liberated from the confines of expectation and social construction. That, plus the fact that Pattinson actively despises rehearsing, so much that he would rather become the character than approach it with a sober mindset and bridge the gap between himself and the world he has chosen to become a part of.
But drinking was his tried and tested way of stepping into Winslow’s shoes. Broken-down inhibitions effectively blurred the lines between himself and the character, allowing him to immerse himself in the reality of inebriation. “[I was] basically unconscious the whole time. It was crazy,” Pattinson told Esquire. This could have easily backfired, however, especially considering one incident that saw him almost push Dafoe to leave the set.
He was trying to make himself gag, which caught the attention of Robert Eggers, who noticed Dafoe’s discomfort. The director brought this to Pattinson’s attention, who then realised that Dafoe was close to removing himself from the situation had he actually vomited on him, which is entirely understandable. The tensions were high before they even began filming, though – Pattinson even thought he would be fired at one point when he couldn’t deliver the lines the way Eggers wanted.
Nonetheless, while most would likely advise against becoming intoxicated when engaged in a big A24 project, Pattinson’s approach, while drastic, seemingly paid off. The Lighthouse achieved a lot of praise, with fans and critics calling out the performances as its main driving force. It’s difficult not to question whether authenticity had a part to play, however. After all, can it be called performing if you’re genuinely under the influence?
