Whether you’ve followed Will Poulter since We're The Millers or discovered him in The Bear or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, this Vanity Fair video is a masterclass in growth, range, and what it means to stay curious as an actor.
In this breakdown, Poulter revisits some of his most iconic roles—from The Revenant to Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, and Midsommar.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Rq43TtWfI
What I loved most is how honestly he reflects on his process. His self-doubt, the unexpected lessons, and the emotional layers that stick with him long after a project wraps. This isn’t just a walk down memory lane, it’s an invitation into the mindset of an actor who’s constantly learning.
Actors—what’s a role that pushed you beyond your comfort zone and left a mark? Let’s talk about the projects that changed you.
2 people like this
Ashley Renee Smith I absolutely lapped this up. So fascinating to hear about someone's acting process. Will comes across as humble and genuine. For example when he says all he had to do was react/respond as the other actor in Revenant gave such intense performances. Just responding and reacting is exactly what acting is about (as I understand) yet he downplays himself. What's great about him (from the video) is naturalness. No schmacting at all. Lots of other interesting parts to this video for example what he says about accents (help him get in role), use of tattoos to help him get in role and how highly he speaks of his colleagues, to name but a few.
2 people like this
Yes, exactly! I’m so glad you enjoyed it too, Alexandra Stevens. His humility and honesty about just responding to intense performances in The Revenant really struck me. It’s such a simple truth about acting, but the way he frames it shows a real respect for collaboration. I also loved what he said about accents and physicality (like tattoos) helping him access character. You can tell how deeply he thinks about every layer of a role without ever overcomplicating it.