How acting in ‘Room’ changed Brie Larson’s life forever
Having given countless performances of true excellence in a wide variety of film genres, Brie Larson has emerged as one of American contemporary cinema’s most enduring stars. From her efforts in the comedies Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Trainwreck to her later work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Larson has proven a deep passion and talent for the acting craft.
Right at the pinnacle of Larson’s career thus far, though, is her captivating and heart-breakingly brilliant performance in the 2015 psychological survival film Room, directed by Lenny Abrahamson and written by Emma Donaghue, based on her 2010 novel of the same name.
Room explores just how resilient the human mind, body and heart can go and details the unbreakable bond that exists between a child and their mother. Larson plays Joy ‘Ma’ Newsome, a woman held captive in a small shed for seven years, during which time she has given birth to a son, Jack (played by Jacob Tremblay.
Larson’s performance is nothing short of mesmerising, and she captures in full detail the emotional complexities of being a victim of torture and sexual abuse while trying to raise a young son in the confines of a prison-like room. Tremblay’s effort as a young child with natural innocence and curiosity is equally impressive.
Even in its claustrophobic setting, Room manages to explore the wider themes of love and the human spirit, and it’s a film that undoubtedly affects those who watch it, not to mention its actual stars. Larson was rightfully awarded the ‘Best Actress’ award for her performance, though the film’s impact arguably went far deeper inside her.
Larson thoroughly researched those who had suffered sexual abuse in real life to prepare her for the role and explored at length the kind of psychological trauma that such a horrific incident can have on a person, and this enabled her version of Joy to become a powerful voice for such victims. So not only was Larson suddenly awarded with critical admiration, changing her career trajectory forever, but she also gained a deep understanding of different kinds of people in the process.
There was a deep sense of compassion in Larson’s performance for those that she studied, and on the night she won the Academy Award for ‘Best Actress’, he was spotted hugging every single one of the 50 sexual assault survivors who appeared on-stage during the Lady Gaga performance of the song from The Hunting Ground, the documentary looking into campus sexual assault.
The entire experience clearly left a deep impression on Larson as, in 2018, she began a collaboration with 300 other women in creating the Time’s Up initiative, “a very simple formula to create change” in the film industry and end both discrimination and instances of sexual assault and harassment.
Check out the trailer for Room below.
