James McAvoy, renowned for his versatile acting skills, especially in psychological thrillers like Split and Glass, returns to the big screen in the chilling new film Speak No Evil. In a surprising twist, McAvoy revealed that his latest character, a sinister doctor named Paddy, draws heavily from the infamous internet personality, Andrew Tate.
McAvoy’s Method: Channeling Tate’s Toxic Masculinity
The film, an English remake of a Dutch psychological thriller, features McAvoy as Dr. Paddy, who after befriending a family on vacation, invites them to his home, turning their stay into a horrifying ordeal. McAvoy’s approach to embodying Paddy was to infuse aspects of Andrew Tate’s controversial public persona into the character. Tate, a former kickboxer turned internet sensation, is known for his extreme views on masculinity and has been a polarizing figure due to his misogynistic rhetoric and recent legal troubles involving allegations of r*pe and human trafficking.
In a recent interview with Empire, as reported by Deadline, McAvoy explained his character’s inspiration: “He’s like, ‘I’m going to teach you what it’s like to be a man again.’ But there’s a sort of polite face on it that isn’t quite Andrew Tate, enough of a sheen of, ‘I’m not one of those guys’. [Paddy’s] challenging you, ‘Do you have a big enough d*** to have a drink with me?’, Or, ‘I’m sorry, this is too much for you because you’re not real enough.’”
A More Polite Villain?
Despite drawing from Tate’s notorious image, McAvoy pointed out that his portrayal of Paddy is nuanced, making the character less abrasive than Tate himself. McAvoy described Paddy as having a “Ray Winstone in Sexy Beast vibe: ‘I don’t mind if my belly’s sticking out, because that’s how comfortable a man I f****** am.’”
This creative choice highlights the complex layers McAvoy brings to his characters, making Paddy both menacing and oddly charismatic. This character dynamic adds a thrilling edge to the film, as viewers are drawn into the unsettling yet fascinating persona of Dr. Paddy.
Tate’s Reaction to Modern Superheroes
Interestingly, while McAvoy finds inspiration in Tate’s persona for his role in Speak No Evil, Tate himself has been critical of the superhero genre, which McAvoy has been a significant part of with his role in the X-Men series. Tate has specifically targeted Tom Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man, dismissing it as dorky and nerdy and critiquing the fanbase of such films.
This intersection of real-life personalities with fictional narratives creates a compelling backdrop for McAvoy’s latest film, inviting audiences to explore the darker sides of heroism and villainy. As McAvoy continues to explore these grey areas, his performances not only captivate but also provoke thought about the nature of masculinity and power in modern cinema.
Speak No Evil promises to be a gripping addition to the thriller genre, with McAvoy’s performance anticipated to be a standout, especially as he channels a controversial figure like Andrew Tate into the cinematic villainy of Paddy. As the film hits theaters, it will be intriguing to see how audiences react to this blend of real-world controversy with fictional terror.