Alicia Vikander’s Challenging Role in *The Assessment*
Alicia Vikander’s performance in *The Assessment* is a multifaceted portrayal that merits significant attention. This film marks Fleur Fortuné’s directorial debut, setting the stage for Vikander to explore one of the most daring roles of her career. In this sci-fi thriller, she embodies multiple personas within a single character, demonstrating her remarkable range as an actress.
Character Deep Dive
Vikander stars as Virginia, an assessor responsible for determining the suitability of potential parents, Mia (played by Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel), in a resource-scarce future. Virginia subjects the couple to a grueling seven-day evaluation process during which she adopts a child-like persona, challenging them in increasingly unsettling scenarios.
A Leap of Faith
Embracing such a complex role was not without its doubts for Vikander. However, she relied on her creative process and the support of her fellow collaborators to fully engage with this unique character. Reflecting on her experience, Vikander stated, “It was a bit like taking a leap of faith, and I was like, ‘Okay, I’m just going to go for it.'” She expressed optimism that the film’s narrative would culminate in a powerful emotional revelation.
Real-Life Inspiration
Filming in summer 2023 proved inspiring for Vikander, who was not only immersed in her parenting journey with a toddler at home but was also several months pregnant with her second child. She shared, “Having a child at home, you’re faced with the reality of what [parenthood] is and the absurd situations that you sometimes find yourself in.” This personal experience provided a deeper level of insight into her character’s motivations.
Reflections on *Ex Machina*
In a recent discussion with *The Hollywood Reporter*, Vikander also reminisced about the tenth anniversary of Alex Garland’s *Ex Machina* and her upcoming collaboration with director Olivier Assayas and actor Jude Law in *The Wizard of the Kremlin*.
Comparisons to Past Roles
When asked about the parallels between *The Assessment* and *Ex Machina*, Vikander acknowledged the thematic similarities but emphasized the distinctiveness of her current project. “I do think that this film is extremely different, but yes, there are similarities,” she noted.
A New Experience in Performance
Vikander’s current role allowed her to explore elements of spontaneity, a departure from her previous work. She humorously recalled wishing she could have participated in a memorable dance scene from *Ex Machina*: “I probably did [want to be in that scene]. Most people, when they watched it, wanted to be part of it.”
Thematic Exploration
At its core, *The Assessment* grapples with profound questions regarding parenthood and societal norms. Vikander reflects on the pressing issues it raises, such as the right to make personal choices around family-building in a world where resources are dwindling.
“The idea of caring for a child or having a child feels like it’s the one thing that most human beings feel is part of your own birthrights… what happens if that’s taken away from you?”
The Duality of Virginia
Vikander further elaborates on the internal conflict she faced while portraying Virginia, stating, “A lot of these thoughts and questions that I had myself actually became a bit of a metaphor.” This exploration of her character’s motives allowed Vikander to connect deeply with the material.
Method Acting Considerations
When discussing the extremes Virginia ventures to while embodying her child character, Vikander acknowledges the challenges of portraying a gatekeeper to parenthood while navigating her own real-life experiences of motherhood. “It was a bit like taking a leap of faith,” she affirms, noting the need for flexibility in her performance style.
The Interaction on Set
Her interactions with co-stars Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel were filled with spontaneity as they navigated the complexities of Virginia’s character together. Vikander shared a light-hearted moment from the set: “The kitchen scene felt like a real stage performance in the sense that everyone was like, ‘What is she going to do?'”
The Bath Scene Revelation
One particularly poignant moment in the film is a bathing scene between Vikander and Olsen, where their character’s connection becomes evident. Vikander recalls, “We talked about wanting to find elements where we could bring that deeper connection to these characters.”
Looking Toward the Future
Citing advances in AI as a fascinating topic since *Ex Machina*, Vikander expressed her excitement about the ongoing dialogue surrounding artificial intelligence. “I remembered being introduced to people who said that a lot of the thoughts and ideas in the film are very accurate,” she remarked.
Upcoming Projects
As for her future endeavors, Vikander is eager to continue her collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Olivier Assayas in *The Wizard of the Kremlin*. “The moment he called me, I said an immediate yes,” she shared, expressing her confidence in the project’s importance.
Conclusion
*The Assessment* is now screening in theaters, providing audiences with a thought-provoking exploration of parenthood and societal expectations through Vikander’s captivating performance.