Downtown Owl star Finn Wittrock teased his role in the project and explained why his character was so challenging. Coach Laidlaw is not a good dude and that adds to the intrigue for the latest Sony Pictures film. ComicBook.com had the chance to speak with Wittrock about the movie and his past prospects to be a Green Lantern. While that would have probably been fun, it’s clear that the star had his work cut out for him with Coach Laidlaw. Simply put, he’s kind of a scumbag. But, that’s not exactly breaking new ground for Wittrock’s filmography. Despite that fact, the actor still had to learn exactly what made this character so despicable to effectively depict what was going on during Downtown Owl.
Wittrock acknowledged that he has played many antagonistic roles, but he found this particular character particularly unlikeable. This taught him a valuable acting lesson: one doesn’t have to like the character they’re portraying. He realized the importance of understanding the reasons behind his character’s behavior, despite his deep dislike for him.
“Antipathy can trigger self-reflection. We question why we harbor such negative feelings towards individuals who engage in despicable and irresponsible behavior. However, paradoxically, we also witness moments of unexpected fragility in these characters. Despite their moral shortcomings, they possess a sense of humanity that challenges our perceptions of villainy.”
What Is Downtown Owl About?
Julia Rabia (Lily Rabe), fleeing Milwaukee, finds herself in Owl, North Dakota, during the Reagan era, where she takes up a temporary teaching position. However, Owl’s social hierarchy and cast of characters, including poets and Marlboro Men, evoke memories of high school, leaving Julia questioning her reasons for leaving home. This film adaptation is based on Chuck Klosterman’s novel.
Lily Rabe, Ed Harris, Vanessa Hudgens, August Blanco Rosenstein, Jack Dylan Grazer, Arianna Jaffier, Finn Wittrock, and Henry Golding star in *Downtown Owl*.
Downtown Owl is now available for digital purchase or rental.
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