Elizabeth Scott, entertainment producer
The actor who plays a teen killer in the film adaptation of We Need To Talk About Kevin has told Sky News he struggled to separate himself from the character after filming ended.
The film, which has premiered at the London Film Festival, is based on Lionel Shriver’s 2003 best selling novel.
It stars John C Reilly as Kevin’s father and Tilda Swinton as guilt-ridden mother Eva who struggles to bond with a son she did not plan on having.
Little-known actor Ezra Miller, 18, plays the disturbed Kevin who goes on to carry out a high school massacre.
After getting the role Miller admitted being daunted by the “massive undertaking and responsibility” in front of him.
He told Sky News: “All of a sudden I felt this great obligation and responsibility to all of these artists, and this work of art, to do it justice.
“Then the challenge became removing myself from the role when we called a wrap. There was a bit of a challenge in separating myself from all of these twisted and messed up, and yet very valid aspects of Kevin’s character.”
Playing the character also made him re-assess his attitude towards his own mother.
“It certainly heightened my appreciation and gratitude for my very wonderful relationship with my mother.”
Lynne Ramsay and Ezra Miller attend the film’s UK premiere
Scottish director Lynne Ramsay, who has previously worked on independent films Ratcatcher and Morvern Callar, co-wrote the screenplay with her husband Rory Stewart Kinnear.
She said: “I had those similar thoughts… I was thinking about having a baby and that kind of career path thing… I thought it was a compelling story but also about the deepest fears you have.
“How alone must you feel if you really feel like that – and some mothers do.”
She added: “It’s like a dirty little secret.”
The director dispenses with the use of letters which make up the novel, something the author Shriver was “cool about that”
Ramsay added: “Luckily she loves the movie.”
Whether the fan of the book will feel the same is something Ramsay says she is not feeling apprehensive about.
“No I don’t worry. It’s inspired by the book rather than exactly like the book. Hopefully they are companion pieces.”