In his new film “A Talent for Murder,” director Anton Corbijn examines the life of Patricia Highsmith, the celebrated author best known for creating the iconic psychopath Tom Ripley. Portrayed by Helen Mirren, Highsmith is depicted as a deeply controversial figure due to her antisemitic and misanthropic views.
Corbijn told Variety that the film’s depiction understates the reality of the author’s personality. “By all accounts, she was much worse than what we show in the film. You don’t want her to be completely unlikable. It’s difficult when you don’t actually know the person and base everything on hearsay, but she was a very difficult woman. Also to herself,” he explained.
The director expressed admiration for Mirren, now in her 80s, for fully embracing the role of a difficult character. “She’s a great jerk! I think it’s healthy. It’s never too late to be a bitch. I’m referring to our Highsmith, of course. Luckily, she only killed fictional characters,” Corbijn said with a laugh.
Previously titled “Switzerland,” a reference to Joanna Murray-Smith’s play upon which the script is based, the film was renamed because Corbijn felt the original title evoked “too many images of cows and mountains.” The story follows Highsmith in her Swiss exile, where she is visited by Edward, played by Alden Ehrenreich. He attempts to convince her to write another Ripley novel, sparking a toxic dynamic between the two.
“They’re testing how bad people can be and how far they can go. Unfortunately, it’s always further than you’d like to think,” Corbijn observed. He suggested that this behavior often stems from generational trauma or human curiosity, noting that people frequently “go too far.”
Corbijn highlighted the nuanced nature of Ripley’s villainy, pointing to previous adaptations like “The American Friend,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” and Netflix’s “Ripley.” “When evil is obvious, it’s not interesting because you know it’s coming. That’s his strength, and I think that’s the strength of the film. You don’t know if you should like them or not,” he said. He also praised Ehrenreich’s ability to shift from a nerdy demeanor to a cold killer with minimal physical changes.
While the film emphasizes that its portrayal of Highsmith is entirely fictional, Corbijn has previously directed biopics such as “Control” about Joy Division’s Ian Curtis and “Life” about James Dean. He noted that playing real-life figures offers a unique complexity. “It’s more complex and more interesting,” he said, acknowledging that his portrayal of Curtis is now so ingrained that he associates the real musician with actor Sam Riley.
Turning to broader industry concerns, the former photographer and music video director expressed deep anxiety about the rise of artificial intelligence. “I get very depressed thinking about A.I. replacing so much in cinema, but it’s the same with music. Take ABBA concerts with their ‘avatars’,” he said. “Is everything really replaceable? It’s dangerous because we all prefer comfort over substance, and that will be our downfall.” He confirmed that no AI was used in his current film and added, “I’m really worried about the immediate future because things are changing way too fast. I think we will respond badly to it. And too late.”
Corbijn described himself as “quite pessimistic about the world,” suggesting this sentiment may explain the enduring popularity of Ripley. “It’s as if he returns when the world aligns with his thinking, which is terrible. Maybe people are more accepting of murder today?”
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